“Red the Dutch guy”

Photo By Staff Sgt. Erin Trower | Patrick van Dam, a Dutch documentary photographer and designer, edits images while on a flying training deployment with the 493rd Fighter Squadron at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Aug. 16, 2016. Van Dam has been designing and producing patches for the squadron for 15 years, and has created approximately 25 patch designs. The 493rd is out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Trower/Released)  

ÄMARI AIR BASE, ESTONIA

08.24.2016

Story by Senior Airman Erin Trower 

48th Fighter Wing

Growing up near Soesterberg Air Base in the Netherlands, Patrick van Dam was surrounded by 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron Airmen, who frequently invited him on base to eat hamburgers and watch baseball games on Sundays.

Van Dam has fond memories of the American lifestyle as a teen, and, to this day, enjoys being a part of their high-speed lifestyle.

He started collecting U.S. Air Force fighter squadron patches at age 17, because of his love for America and the U.S. Air Force.

Later in life, van Dam took an interest in graphic design and began creating fighter squadron patches for F-15 squadrons across the U.S. Air Force. He contacted the 493rd Fighter Squadron approximately 15 years ago, when they approved the wear of his first patch design for the squadron, the eagle driver patch.

Over the years, van Dam continued designing and reproducing patches for the 493rd FS for exercises and deployments.

“More and more squadrons kept asking for ‘Red the Dutch guy’, and, before I knew it, I was making TDY patches, exercise patches, and deployment patches,” van Dam said.

Van Dam, known as “Red” by the Airmen of the 493rd FS, has produced more than 32 patch designs for the 493rd FS.

“It makes me very proud as a Dutchman from a little village, that I can support these guys making their patches,” van Dam said. “I will continue my patch design as long as they are willing to have me, and I am more than happy to come around.”

Working with Red is a unique opportunity and experience,” said 1st Lt. Kyle Wheeler, 493rd FS F-15C pilot. “It’s absolutely important to maintain healthy relationships with people from other countries, and we definitely want to continue our good relations with him.”

• Date Taken: 08.24.2016
• Date Posted: 08.24.2016 02:49
• Story ID: 208007
• Location: ÄMARI AIR BASE, EE