AIR FORCE CHALLENGE COINS
WING, SQUADRON & GROUP

AIR FORCE COIN TRADITIONS

The Air Force has one of the most active challenge coin cultures in the military. Fighter and aircrew traditions go back to World War I and never really stopped — modern squadrons treat the coin as a non-negotiable part of unit identity. Visitors to a squadron bar are commonly coin-checked; aircrews carry their coins on deployment; squadron mementos for ICs, FTs, and major exercises are routinely ordered as commemorative pieces.

SQUADRON COINS

Squadron coins center the squadron patch on the front. Most squadrons have heraldically registered patches with established color and layout conventions — we honor those exactly. The back usually carries the aircraft silhouette (F-22 for the Raptor squadrons, F-35 for Lightning II units, KC-135 for tanker units, C-17 for airlift, MQ-9 for RPA, B-1 / B-2 / B-52 for bomber, and so on), the squadron designation in full, and the wing identifier. Standard size 1.75" or 2", antique silver or polished black for aircrew units, antique gold for command-level pieces.

WING AND GROUP COINS

Wing coins represent the full installation or operational wing. They typically feature the wing patch on the front, the base name and location on the back, and are issued by the wing commander as on-the-spot recognition. Wing CC and CCM personal coins are small-run premium pieces. Group coins (Operations Group, Maintenance Group, Mission Support Group, Medical Group) sit between squadron and wing — they often combine the squadron-level specificity with broader operational identity.

MAJCOM & SPECIALIZED COMMUNITY COINS

MAJCOM-level coins (AETC, AFSOC, AMC, ACC, PACAF, USAFE, AFGSC, AFMC, AFRC) are typically larger format (2.25"+), premium finish, and used at command staff level. Specialized community coins — AFSPECWAR, Combat Controllers, PJs, TACPs, Combat Weather, JTACs, ALOs — usually carry the community insignia and tactical finishes (antique bronze, black nickel) rather than the standard squadron look.

AIRCREW COMMEMORATIVE & MISSION COINS

Beyond standard unit coins, Air Force aircrews routinely order commemorative pieces for specific deployments, major exercises (Red Flag, Green Flag, Maple Flag, Pitch Black, Cope Tiger), and milestone flights (10,000-hour pilot, retirement check ride, first combat flight). These are usually small runs distributed to the aircrews who participated.

RETIREMENT & CHANGE-OF-COMMAND

Retirement coins for senior NCO and officer retirements are small, premium-finish runs — often 25–75 pieces, antique gold or dual- plated, engraved on the back with name and dates of service. Change-of-command pieces are a strong Air Force squadron tradition — the outgoing CC's coin run is distributed to the squadron at the ceremony.

DESIGN YOUR AIR FORCE COIN ONLINE

Use the free online coin designer to sketch your squadron, group, or wing coin. Drop in the squadron patch (or upload your own art), set the plating to antique silver for the traditional aircrew look, type your designation on the arcs. Submit when ready — refined proof in 24 hours, no payment until you approve. See our military procurement guide or browse other branches.