An Explanation of the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing Patch
                   Larry Westin - June 7, 1999

The source of the description below is a fact sheet I picked up
while at Korat.  Not certain exactly when or where I picked up
this description of the insignia.  Personally I rate the 553rd 
Wing patch as one of the best in the USAF.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
        FACT SHEET EXPLANATION OF THE BATCAT WING INSIGNIA


The 553rd Reconnaissance wing insignia was designed by the world
famous cartoonist, Mr. Milton Caniff.  Mr. Caniff is best known
for his comic strip, "Steve Canyon."   The following is Mr.
Caniff's explanation of the insignia he designed:

"The device shows an aggressive jungle cat-like creature, facing
forward, airborne on gigantic bat wings.  The entire area of the
beast is colored midnight blue, but the eyes glow white against
the nocturnal shading.  The mouth is red.

The right front paw of the animal appears to be touching a
representational design of the top of a globe marked with
latitudinal and longitudinal lines.

In the upper left corner of the yellow field are shown jagged
lines in the configuration of the ancient navigator's lines of
position for a star "fix."  The point of impact is indicated by a 
white circle within which is the ancient sign for sulphur.  This
is drawn in bright red.

The white eyes of the BAT CAT make clear the reconnaissance
mission of the organization, while the deep blue signifies the
secrecy surrounding the effort.  The red mouth highlights the
heat of the striking power implicit in the BAT CAT.  The midnight
blue and the golden yellow of the field further emphasize the day
and night capability of the Wing, whether flying blind or not.

The tiger-like cat creature denotes the militant attitude of the
personnel involved in the assigned task.  The bat wings signify
the sensitivity of the classified equipment issued to the 553rd 
and its application.  The representation of the globe denotes the
worldwide potential of the Wing and its mission.  The sulphur
sign at point of the "fix" dramatizes the enormity of the power
which can be delivered to such a place as a result of the skill
of the Wing."

The words "Cavete Cattam" translated from Latin means "Beware of
the Cat."