Formerly known as the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service Insignia, or SSI-FWTS, this embroidered cloth insignia for United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) is now technically known as the SSI-MOHC for Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Military Operations in Hostile Conditions. The colored version is for wear on the Army Green Service Uniform, while the monochrome versions are for combat and utility uniforms manufactured in Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) or the now-discontinued Univeral Camouflage Pattern (30 September 2019 marked the “wear-out” date for uniforms made with the UCP).
The focal point of the USAREUR-AF patch is the upright, flaming sword set against a dark blue background, an image that is clarified by the unit motto seen on the organization’s Distinctive Unit Insignia: “Sword Of Freedom.” While weapons on insignia typically allude to military might, the flaming sword on this insignia instead symbolizes the justice through which enemy powers will be broken. A rainbow, universal emblem of hope, is made up of the colors of the National Flags of the Allies, and is set against a sky of blue that denotes peace and calm.
United States Army Europe and Africa was created through the consolidation of United States Army Europe and United States Army Africa on 20 November 2020. As a result of this consolidation, USAREUR-AF is responsible for direction Army operations throughout the areas of responsibility of two unifieid combatant commands: U.S. European Command and U.S. African Command. USAREUR-AF is headquartered at Lucius D. Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany.
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United States Army Europe and Africa Unit Crest (DUI)United States Army Europe and Africa Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)