Message posted by Peter Merlin (Member since 11/13/2003) on August 10, 2022 at 17:49:39 PST:
Here is a classic example of misrepresentation of an eBay item (see link): It is described as "CIA SOG Air Branch AREA 51 LM Skunk Works Defense Design Build SPECIAL DEVICES" challenge coin. I have on two separate occasions over the past several years emailed the seller to explain that this coin has nothing to do with the Skunk Works, Area 51, or the CIA. It is actually from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. According to an Air Force article from 2016, the airmen of the 53rd Test Support Squadron's Special Devices Flight design and implement innovative solutions with the goal of providing answers to uncommon problems. They design, build and test tailored products for Air Force and Defense Department agencies that meet operational requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner. The services they provide save the military from having to use contracted or specialty services at top dollar. There are three sections within the special devices flight: engineering, avionics and fabrication. The engineering section serves the role of project management and design for the more than 110 projects the shop completes annually. The avionics section is able to maintain electrical devices used by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group providing cutting-edge electrical system design, troubleshooting and fabrication. The fabrication section is fully equipped with milling machines, lathes, welding capabilities, and a waterjet. Computer-aided-design drawings from the engineers are taken and transformed from electronic designs into machining instructions for prototypes and functional parts.
In Reply to: Re: Authentic Area 51 Challenge Coins ? posted by MB8451 on August 10, 2022 at 11:05:32 PST:
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