VR-62 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Patch-Post 1994

VR-62 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Patch (U.S. Navy) 3.74" x 4.0" Embroidered Patch with Iron-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.

Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.

Easy Iron-On Application: Features a heat-activated adhesive backing for quick, no-sew attachment. Simply position, iron, and press for a secure bond.

Versatile Use: Perfect for personalizing jackets, backpacks, uniforms, or any fabric surface that needs a touch of personality. 

Formations & Origins
Following the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision in 1994, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 62, originally based in Detroit, found itself uprooted and on the move. That marked the beginning of the squadron's nomadic chapter, one that would define its identity going forward. The C-9B Skytrains that once bore the call sign "Motowners" were phased out, and in their place came the powerful and rugged C-130T Hercules — a platform built to endure, to lift, and to reach the world’s remotest corners. The squadron briefly touched down at NAS South Weymouth in Massachusetts, only to move again a year later to NAS Brunswick, Maine, where they became known as the “Nor’easters.” But even that was a temporary roost. In 2009, the squadron resettled at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. With that final move, the nickname “Nomads” was chosen — a fitting tribute to a unit that had been everywhere and done everything, without ever losing its mission-first mindset.

Notable Commanders
Leadership in VR-62 has consistently reflected adaptability and resilience, qualities demanded by their constant movement and evolving roles. Commanders like Christopher Thomson ensured operational continuity during the pivotal 2009 relocation to Jacksonville. It was under his watch that the squadron cemented its presence as the first C-130 squadron permanently stationed at that base. In the years that followed, figures like Cmdr. B.T. Smith took the helm, overseeing demanding deployments and continuing to build the Nomads’ reputation for excellence. These leaders carried the burden of logistics command with quiet strength — ensuring aircraft, personnel, and missions aligned with the Navy’s global objectives.

Major Campaigns/Operations
Since 1994, the Nomads have served at the very heart of U.S. Navy logistics across every major area of responsibility. They were deployed in support of Operation Allied Force during the Kosovo conflict in 1999, ferrying essential gear and personnel across the Mediterranean into hot zones and critical forward operating bases. After 9/11, VR-62 entered a new operational tempo. They supported Operation Enduring Freedom and later Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying into CENTCOM areas where their Hercules aircraft delivered mission-critical parts, troops, and humanitarian supplies to often austere and unsecured airfields. From Sigonella, Italy to Atsugi, Japan and Manama, Bahrain, the Nomads have touched every theater, every mission type. They’ve carried out annual rotations to Europe and the Pacific, working alongside allies and pushing Navy air logistics further than before. Their missions weren’t flashy, but they were foundational. While others fought at the tip of the spear, VR-62 made sure the spearhead was sharp, supplied, and where it needed to be.

Specialized Role/Equipment
VR-62 operates the C-130T Hercules — a workhorse that can carry over 40,000 pounds of cargo, land on rough strips shorter than 3,000 feet, and operate with minimal support infrastructure. In an era where global deployment often means operating out of forward or even improvised airfields, the Nomads’ aircraft are invaluable. Unique among naval logistics units, the squadron’s aircraft are evolving into aerial refueling platforms, designated KC-130T. These upgraded birds are equipped with eight-bladed NP2000 propellers and refueling pods, enabling the Nomads not just to move cargo, but to extend the reach of Navy and Marine Corps strike aircraft. Few logistics squadrons boast that kind of mission flexibility. Whether it’s a high-priority engine module for a carrier air wing, a pallet of MREs for Marines in the desert, or a mid-air gas top-off for a fighter jet en route to the fight, the Nomads deliver.

Acts of Heroism
Heroism doesn’t always wear a cape — sometimes it comes in the form of a last-minute diversion over the Pacific. In May of 2013, a VR-62 C-130T crew based out of Guam received a mayday from the U.S. Coast Guard: five civilians were lost at sea near Chuuk Island. Without hesitation, the Nomads’ aircraft broke off from its mission and began low-level search patterns over open water. For hours they combed the sea. Then, a speck — a signal mirror from a battered, adrift vessel. The Nomads held station over the survivors, guiding in a nearby ship for rescue. It wasn’t a combat mission. There were no bullets, no explosions. But it was a moment of absolute commitment, showcasing the heart of naval aviation — to respond, to act, to save.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
In the years since adopting the Hercules, VR-62 has moved more than 40 million pounds of cargo and carried tens of thousands of personnel across the globe. They’ve earned multiple Battle Efficiency (“Battle E”) awards for superior performance — in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, and again in 2008. They’ve also taken home the CNO Safety “S” Award and the Navy Unit Commendation for their efforts in operations like Noble Anvil. But awards only tell part of the story. The real legacy of the Nomads is their relentless reliability. They are the ones who ensure the right supplies reach the right place at the right time — every time. Their motto isn’t about flash. It’s about follow-through. And that’s why even now, as they edge closer to becoming a hybrid aerial refueling and cargo squadron, their reputation only grows stronger. In a world where warfare and crises can erupt overnight, the Navy knows who to call when they need the job done — they call the Nomads.

Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand everyday wear and occasional washing without fading or fraying.