{"product_id":"official-vr-57-conquistadors-shoulder-patch","title":"Official VR-57 Conquistadors Shoulder Patch","description":"\u003cp\u003eOfficial VR-57 Conquistadors Shoulder Patch - Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 57 (VR-57) Conquistadors, NAS North Island, San Diego, Official Embroidered Shoulder Patch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConquistadors in the air, on time, worldwide — the Navy Reserve's proven fleet airlift force flying the C-40A Clipper from the West Coast to every corner of the globe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFleet Logistics Support Squadron 57 was established at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, in November 1977, and formally commissioned in April 1978 with the delivery of its first C-9B Skytrain II. The squadron is a Naval Reserve Force unit made up of active duty and selected reserve personnel, providing around-the-clock fleet essential airlift support to Fleet and Combatant Commanders worldwide. In December 1990, VR-57 was mobilized with little notice to support Operation Desert Shield, flying troops, supplies, and munitions across Europe, the Mediterranean, Saudi Arabia, and the Arabian Gulf for four months from Sembach Air Base, Germany — an effort that earned the squadron a Navy Unit Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy. The Conquistadors were awarded the Noel Davis Trophy for mobilization readiness in both 1987 and 1990. In 2005, VR-57 became the first West Coast squadron to transition from the C-9B to the Boeing C-40A Clipper, the military variant of the 737-700C. In October 2023, the squadron reached the remarkable milestone of 200,000 consecutive mishap-free flight hours, a testament to the professionalism and discipline that define the Conquistador identity across every generation of aircrew and maintainer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerfect For: Navy Reserve veterans, VR-57 Conquistadors alumni, C-9B and C-40A Clipper aircrew, NAS North Island sailors, Fleet Logistics Support Wing collectors, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm veterans, naval aviation historians, shadow box builders, reunion displays, deployment keepsakes, and anyone assembling a serious Navy Reserve or fleet airlift patch collection that honors the people who keep the mission moving on time and on target.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConquistadors heritage, stitched for the crews who have kept the fleet moving since 1978.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military, Law Enforcement and Custom Patches by USMCinsignia.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45320149172333,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/marinepatches.com\/products\/official-vr-57-conquistadors-shoulder-patch","provider":"MarinePatches.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}