Aviation Patches

America’s Long Aviation History

From the hot air balloons of the 19th century to the Wright Brothers' first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, NC, military applications in aviation have known few boundaries. By 1914, airplanes were widely being used on the western front of WWI for reconnaissance, but would soon sport deadly machine guns and begin the tactic of early strategic bombing. As WWI raged on, the importance of airplanes in spotting for artillery made bad weather one of the biggest issues pilots would face. From this war came famous pilots such as American Ace Eddie Rickenbaker and Manfred Von Richthofen, better known as The Red Baron. 

Aviation in the U.S. Military

As warfare progressed, so did the technology in the air. Massive bombers, carrying thousands of pounds of bombs and flying in huge formations, would make the air wing of any military critically important. Aerial conflicts, like The Battle of Britain, turned the sky into a battlefield with its own tactics and challenges. Close air support for troops on the ground would change military doctrine throughout the 20th century, and the invention of the helicopter allowed for fast and precise movement of troops and supplies while paratroopers deployed behind enemy lines during major operations. 

Aviation is being pushed to the limits of technology in the United States and in militaries all across the world. The advent of jet aircraft, precision-guided weapons, stealth aircraft, and unmanned drones has incomparably altered the battlefields of the late 20th and 21st centuries. In the fast-paced global situations of today, air power is sometimes the quickest and most effective form of military intervention. 

U.S. Aviation Patches

Brave Americans endure some of the most rigorous training to be a part of the air units that are involved with every branch of the United States military. These pilots and crews are some of the best and most skilled our country has to offer. If you want to honor these warriors of the sky, Popular Patch has a number of options. For the helicopter jockeys, we carry the 101st Aviation Assault Helicopter Battalion Patch or for those in logistics, we have crafted the 140th Aviation Transport Company Patch. These and many others are available in our online store, along with many more aviation patches below.