USMC Helicopter Squadrons
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VR-55 Minutemen California Herc Republic Shoulder Patch
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 55 (VR-55), U.S. Navy Reserve
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 55 (VR-55), the "World Famous Minutemen," was established on 1 April 1976 at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, during the United States Bicentennial celebration—earning their patriotic nickname from the historic moment. Under the command of Captain Richard Hendel, the squadron took charge of three C-9B Skytrain II aircraft and 220 personnel, becoming the Navy's first reserve jet squadron and pioneering the Navy's "pathfinder" navigation program.
In its first partial year of operations, the Minutemen recorded 3,030.7 flight hours, transporting 55,507 passengers and 2.8 million pounds of cargo. When mobilized in December 1990 for Operation Desert Shield and subsequently Desert Storm, VR-55 set VR community records for the most monthly and quarterly hours flown—794 hours in January 1991 alone—while moving 4,327 troops and 2,729,665 pounds of cargo supporting the war effort. In September 1993, the squadron transitioned from the C-9B to six C-130T Hercules turboprop transports and relocated to Moffett Federal Air Field, later moving to NAS Point Mugu in December 1998.
From bases at NAS Sigonella, NAF Atsugi, and Bahrain, the Minutemen supported operations including Implementation Force in the Balkans, and Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom. In April 2003, VR-55 set another record flying 523.3 hours in a single month—the highest monthly total for Navy C-130s. The squadron has also provided humanitarian relief following Hurricane Katrina (2005), Typhoon Melor (2009), and disaster relief in Haiti (2010) and Japan (2011). As of FY 2018, VR-55 has accumulated over 177,177 accident-free flight hours, operating five aircraft from NAS Point Mugu in support of operations worldwide.
Perfect For: VR-55 Minutemen members and veterans, Navy Reserve aviation personnel, C-130 Hercules enthusiasts, fleet logistics community supporters, NAS Point Mugu personnel, and Desert Storm or OIF veterans.
A salute to the Bicentennial Minutemen—the Navy's original reserve jet squadron—whose around-the-clock global logistics missions have sustained the fleet for nearly five decades.
If you want to swap patches on/off gear, choose hook & loop (velcro). If you’re attaching permanently to uniforms or fabric, choose sew-on. If you want quick application on compatible fabric, choose iron-on / heat seal (when offered). Backing options are shown on the page and update based on the variant you select.
Size is shown on the product page and updates with the variant you select (example: 3"). If you’re mounting on a hat or small panel, choose smaller sizes; for plate carriers and display boards, larger sizes fit better.
If the product is officially licensed, it will say “Officially Licensed” in the title and/or in the product details. If it doesn’t, it’s still a legitimate product—just not part of a licensed program.
Yes. If you see a note like “bulk reruns available,” that means we can support group orders or reruns. If you don’t see it, contact us with the unit/squadron and quantity and we’ll confirm options.
Yes—custom solutions are available (patches, name tags, lanyards, apparel). Use the custom request page and include artwork, size, backing preference, and quantity.
