The 52nd Ordnance Group has undergone several periods of inactivation since it was constituted as a Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment on 20 December 1943, the longest being a stretch from 1967 until 1993. Its mission is to deploy in support of both military and civilian authorities in order to identify, diagnose, render harmless, and dispose of explosive ordnance, including those which might contain chemical, biological, or radiological weapons. As of 2018, it comprises three Ordnance Battalion—the 63rd, 184th, and 192nd—and is augmented by the 63rd Chemical Company for response to CBRN threats.
A falling bomb and stylized rendering of an explosion are symbols of the 52nd Ordnance Group’s heritage, which began primarily with defusing bombs and mines during World War II. The 52nd Ordnance Group Shoulder Sleeve Insignia featuring this design was approved on 5 June 1995.
Color unit patches are for wear with the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) introduced in late November 2018, as well as the old Class A/B Army Green Uniform which was discontinued as of October 2015 (which we still manufacture and sell—learn more here). Our ACU patches come in two styles, OCP and UCP. UCP, or Universal Camouflage Pattern, was used on the first-generation Army Combat Uniforms; OCP was introduced as the new ACU pattern in 2015. Please ensure you choose the type of camouflage pattern that matches the ACU or utility uniform on which you plan to wear the patch.
Related Items
52nd Ordnance Group Unit Crest (DUI)
52nd Ordnance Group Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)