Pilot & Crew Flight Suit Scarves

Scarf images are presented for educational purposes only and are not for sale or trade. All rights reserved.

- Kadena AB, Japan

4252d Strategic Wing / 376th Strategic Wing
1965 - 1991
9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Detachment 1 (GSU)
SR-71A era (1968 - 1990)
See examples at Beale AFB.


18th Fighter Bomber Wing / 18th Tactical Fighter Wing
F-100 era (1957 - 1964)
F-105D era (1963 - 1970)
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18th Tactical Fighter Wing
F-4C/D era (1972 - 1980)
RF-4C era (1967 - 1989)
F-15C/D era (1979 - 1991)
KC-135A/Q era (1971 - 1991)
E-3A/B/C era (1979 - 1991)
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18th Wing

F-15C/D era (1991 - present)
KC-135R era (1991 - present)
E-3B/C era (1991 - present)
C-12F era (1992 - 1993)
HH-3E era (1991 - 1994)
HH-60G era (1993 - present)
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55th Wing (GSU)
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715th Air Mobility Operations Group (GSU)
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PAVE LOW Reunion Scarves
Two in a series of four scarves, authorized by and sold to the PAVE LOW community after the retirement of the MH-53. While they are “authentic;” they are not “original.”
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The PAVE LOW Red Scarf Story
Information from a former MH-53 PAVE LOW flight engineer – In the late 1970s, the 20th SOS was chosen in an exercise to simulate Soviet Hind helicopters with their then H-3s. Following Russian tactics, they were very successful in "shooting down" US Army helicopters and USAF fixed wing adversaries. As the exercise continued the crews further adopted the "Red" theme and the first red scarves were issued, cut out of red maintenance rags. After the exercise, the red scarf tradition continued and carried on to the HH-53 and then MH-53 days. All PAVE LOW crew members received a red scarf when they were qualified to fly. They wore then differently than the fixed wing aircrew... under the collar with the ends showing in the front. Most scarves had the PAVE LOW squadron insignia (20th SOS, 21st SOS, 31st SOS, or 551st SOS) embroidered in the middle of the scarf. The red scarf was a unique symbol of this small brotherhood. The MH-53 PAVE LOW was retired in 2008.