F22 Raptor “Balloon Busters” First Air-To-Air Kill Tribute Mission Patch Sticker

This US Air Force mission patch-inspired design is my humorous tribute to the F22 Raptor’s first air to air kill on February 4, 2023. A suspected Chinese high-altitude balloon, carrying a large payload at 60,000’ over North America, was shot down off the coast of South Carolina via an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. This design portrays the graceful silhouette of the F22, dual colored AIM-9s, and the offending balloon, held together within a mission-style outline. The banner reads “Balloon Busters”, which is partly inspired by the WWI pilots who successfully shot down enemy observation balloons. Seventy-seven flying aces were credited with destroying five or more balloons each, making them balloon aces.

Sticker measures 3.7”x 4”.

See the patches page for the matching embroidered, Velcro backed, patch!