Original Item. Only One Available. This is an extraordinarily scarce patch, perhaps one of the rarest U.S. patches we have ever offered. This is an Eastern Command Russia patch, a rare AAF patch from the "shuttle bombing" missions (Operation Frantic), worn by US personnel assisting Soviet forces. The unit is also referred to as “AAF Ferry Command to the Soviet Union”. 

The unit was established not to ferry planes, but rather to service 8th & 15th Air Force heavy bombers flying over Germany from the UK and Italy to the Ukraine and back. At least once the Luftwaffe caught the bombers on the ground, destroying a few dozen B-17s. Less than 10 of these shuttles took place because of Soviet paranoia. Although the unit numbered almost 1,000 troops, very few of these patches are seen today.

This example measures roughly 4 ½” in diameter and has some heavy moth damage as shown, with some holes in the blue backing and material loss along the outer edge. The back of the patch shows the correct period construction.

An extremely rare patch to find in any condition, ready to display.