Trevor Paglen has written a fun book, peeking discreetly into the “black world” of secret military projects by reproducing the patches worn by workers on the projects. The patches are surprisingly artful and whimsical, often invoking wizards and dragons to heighten the aura of mystery. Here is a typical example:
In this case, the motto has proven accurate, as Paglen was unable to figure out what unit was associated with the patch. Probably has nothing to do with pornographic movies, but you never know.
The staging areas for many of the secret operations are in the Southwest U.S., including the Area 51/Groom Lake facility where conspiracy theorists are convinced that the government is harboring alien technology from the crash at Roswell. Which, as you might imagine, makes for great source material for the patches. This one comes from the 509th Bomb Wing, in charge of the B-2 Stealth Bomber — the 509th used to be based in Roswell, although it has now moved to Missouri.
“Gustatus Similis Pullus” translates from Latin as “Tastes Like Chicken.” Get it? “To Serve Man?” If not, there is a subtle knife and fork on the patch just to drive home the message.
Other times, the emphasis on secrecy is more overt. This patch is from the 22nd Military Airlift Squadron, which would fly C-5’s to deliver classified aircraft from aerospace plants in Southern California to testing facilities around the country.
“NOYFB,” in case you were wondering, stands for “None of your fucking business.”
I’m afraid I am not at liberty to discuss the first patch, upon hearing the explanation, you would have to be destroyed, really cloak + dagger ops !
Paul Valletta (#26) wrote:
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> I’m afraid I am not at liberty to discuss the first patch ..
I have that first patch sussed now, possibly. An aerial or satellite view of the US-Mexico border shows at many points a sudden transition to a distinctly greener shade on the US side.
In view of that maybe the “green door” is an expression used in some circles to refer to the US-Mexico border, and the ghost represents illegal immigrants who furtively cross it in droves.
That might explain the red patch over the south western states, although it’s harder to reconcile the idea with the ghost’s menacing red eyes and dagger, unless these all just represent an unspecified threat of some kind, not necessarily hostile but possibly economic for example.
But I still reckon we’re probably discussing an elaborate April fool joke.
Two things.
One, these things are really funny. These are designed to bring great laughs among pals who are in the trenches. You’re looking at American esprit de corps, mighty powerful stuff when it comes to getting a ridiculously hard job done. Whatever else you think of stunts like stealth bombers and laying miles of undersea cable, they ain’t easy jobs.
Two, if some plans sound wack they’re mainly for the minds of others. They’re terrific disinformation. Makes them even funnier.
Third of two things. I find myself coveting a To Serve Man patch with a covetousness not felt in in 20 years. That Twilight Zone moment is among my happiest. I was an early teen, really sucking in stuff like this. The payoff blew us away. We all laughed after the longest gasp. I nominate this as mankind’s greatest pun.
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