"Cerberus
Three" 1955
Circular in design, this royal blue patch is
edged with a black border. The prominent feature is a lunging,
silver, three-headed dog. Behind the dog are three red columns
resting on a red pedestal. Across the tops of the columns is a
red lintel bearing the word "Cerberus." Silver bands edge the
base and the top of each of the three columns. Behind the
columns is a yellow fire accented with red.
Cerberus is the gods’ three-headed watchdog
with the tail of a dragon or a serpent; the three heads
symbolize the qualities of loyalty, obedience and fearlessness.
The Roman numeral III links the squadron’s number and heritage
to one of the greatest professional armies of all time. It also
represents the gate that Cerberus guards. Fire, traditionally a
symbol of eternity, represents the eternal and undying nature of
the ideals of the Third Squadron.
The "Cerberus Three" patch replaced the
original Third Squadron patch in 1977.
Information gathered for the page from
"Squadron Insignia of the United States Air Force Academy" by P.
Michael Sheridan, Library of Congress Catalog Number: 90-62369
