US Air Force 4404th Composite Wing (Provisional) DCU (1991 – 1998)
The 4404th Composite Wing (Provisional) was a US Air Force squadron stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia just after Gulf War 1 (1991) to enforce sanctions on Iraq, specifically the no fly zone in the south. The unit was inactivated on October 1st, 1998 [1]. US units stationed in Saudi Arabia, such as the 4404th, after Gulf War 1 were a significant part of Bin Laden’s motivations to launch the 1998 Embassy Bombings and 9/11 attacks, leading to the War on Terror [2]. In fact, the 1996 Khobar Towers bombings, though not directly perpetrated by Bin Laden, targeted members of this unit [3].
The DCU jacket on this page features many in-country, likely Saudi-made, insignia patches.
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/1_front-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2_back-scaled.jpg)
Squadron Patch:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/squadron_patch_1-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/squadron_patch_2_through_pocket-scaled.jpg)
The patch was sewn directly through the left pocket (as worn) so it cannot be opened.
Collar Rank Insignia:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/rankcollar__1-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/rankcollar__2-scaled.jpg)
Name and Branch Tapes:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/tape_1_name-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/tape_3_USAF_wings_back-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/tape_2_USAF_wings-scaled.jpg)
Loose Insignia:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/extra_insignia_1-1140x735.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/extra_insignia_2-1140x676.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/loose_USAF_1-1140x315.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/loose_USAF_2_back-1140x282.jpg)
These loose patches were found in the lower pockets. Most appear to be made in-country.
Tags:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/tags-1005x960.jpg)
1991 contract date. This was one of the first DCU’s made.
US-Afghan Patched:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1_front-14-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2_back-14-scaled.jpg)
Chest Insignia:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tape_1_patch-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tape_2_navy-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tape_3_back-scaled.jpg)
Cross Flag Patch:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/patch_1-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/patch_2_back-scaled.jpg)
The crossed US-Afghan flags were supposed to symbolize solidarity with Afghans and was intended to be mandatory for wear [4]. Although mandatory, it was very rarely issued and largely gone by 2008 [5].
Tag:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tag-785x960.jpg)
1999 date.
Collar Patches:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/collar_patch-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/collar_patch_2_back-scaled.jpg)
Pocket Contents:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AMC_baggage_tag_1-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AMC_baggage_tag_2.jpg)
This Air Mobility Command (AMC) baggage services document was found in the upper left pocket (as worn).
DoD Civilian:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1_front-15-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2_back-15-scaled.jpg)
Tapes:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tapes_1-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tapes_2_back-scaled.jpg)
Tapes appear to made in-country on polypropylene webbing material.
Tag:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tag-1-1140x877.jpg)
1996 date.