422nd JTS emblem approved for official use

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Zachary Wilson
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center
JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The official emblem of the of the Expeditionary Center's 422nd Joint Tactics Squadron was formally approved in a letter from the Air Force Historian Office last month, adding one new entry to the fledgling squadron's brief history.

The 422nd JTS officially stood-up March 26, and is charged to gather, refine, disseminate and be the central repository for expeditionary combat support lessons learned and tactics, techniques and procedures.

The concept of the squadron's mission is not new to the Air Force, as the 561st Joint Tactics Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., gathers and disseminates TTPs for aviators across all major weapons systems in the USAF flying community. The 422 JTS does the same for ECS Airmen, giving the ECS community a parallel squadron to serve as the focal point for all ECS TTPs. Additionally, the squadron is responsible for instructing several senior leader courses and intelligence/force protection courses, according to Expeditionary Center officials.

According to Lt. Col. Scott "Dozer" Robinson, the unit's commander, the patch's approval solidifies the brief, yet important role the squadron plays for the Air Force's ECS community.

"Getting the final approval for the squadron patch is a defining moment for the 422 JTS," said Colonel Robinson. "Having an identity is an incredibly important aspect of being a team. The men and women of the 'four double-deuce' now have their mark that will always be a part of AF history."

In the letter attached to the approval notification, the Air Force Historian Office explained the unique characteristics of the emblem:

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The emblem symbolizes support for the Air Force fighter, such as the Spartan warriors, who are historically regarded for their use of strategy and tactics in battle. The helmet infers the wisdom and security provided to the forces. The shield signifies deployed forces as the defenders and protectors. The charged shield with a spear denotes readiness for combat and a key representing guardianship and dominion. The key is also historically associated with military intelligence units. The Latin motto, "VIGILANTIA PARATUS," translates to "VIGILANT PREPARED," in English.

Colonel Robinson notes the symbolism conveyed by the patch complements the USAF Expeditionary Center's mission of building Airpower from the ground up.

"The patch's significance really captures the essence of all the career fields that make up the squadron and our mission to support the ECS community."