576th Flight Test Squadron HAC/RMPE BU 22-2

Shaped like the 3.5-inch floppy disc that's used to load the HAC/RMPE executable software during startup of a REACT console, this patch commemorates the final planned revision to the software using floppy discs. A program called Launch Control Center Block Upgrade (LCCBU) is
planned to replace these with solid state memory devices called Removable Storage Media (RSM) as of August 2022. Regarding the software itself, HAC/RMPE (Higher Authority Communications/Rapid Processing Message Element) is the communications integrator software for the REACT console, and it changes every 6 months or so based on revision changes to the USSTRATCOM OPLAN (formerly called the SIOP). The "22-2" displayed on this patch indicates the second update in CY 2022. REV22-2 is the last dual baseline software test that the 576 FLTS plans to conduct. Dual baseline is for the MMP and MMPU versions of the software which require double the amount of testing to certify for use in the field. So, the Air Force gets two for one with the dual baseline tests, hence the "Test 1, Get 1 Free" on this patch, which, in conjunction with the "Happy HOUR" sign, alludes to the Buy One-Get One Free option offered at some bars at certain times. Back to the patch, there is a bit of sarcasm here because the MMP version may not be needed since there are only two LCCs left in the fleet that have not yet been converted to MMPU. (Source: AAFM Patch Gallery)