(Korean): The 44FS is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. The 44th Pursuit Squadron was activated on 1 January 1941 and assigned to the 18th Pursuit Group. It has flown air defense over Okinawa and Japan since 1971. On January 17, 2006 an F-15C of the squadron crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa. The pilot ejected and was rescued by an HH-60 of the 33d Rescue Squadron. The 44FS was named as the winner of the Raytheon Trophy for 2012. This patch was found in a Korean embroidery shop in very limited quantities, has the “in-theater-made” feel to it, and does NOT come with velcro attached.
