posted 12-06-2013 02:55 PM               

Its mission patch is an octopus with arms surrounding the world and the phrase, "Nothing is Beyond Our Reach" at the bottom of the patch. I've already seen comments in the Russian media about how it is an evil looking octopus strangling the world.

I'm a little surprised given the NSA's current PR disaster that the NRO didn't make a more politically-correct type patch. Of course, radar reconnaissance is typically a more military related endeavor as opposed to signal intelligence type satellites.

posted 12-06-2013 02:57 PM               

NROL-39 is represented by the octopus, a versatile, adaptable, and highly intelligent creature. Emblematically, enemies of the United States can be reached no matter where they choose to hide. "Nothing is beyond our reach" defines this mission and the value it brings to our nation and the warfighters it supports, who serve valiently all over the globe, protecting our nation.

posted 07-02-2014 01:15 PM               

The NRO coordination sheet, a document passed along with information about the logo meant for signatures up the chain of command contains an interesting handwritten note with the NRO Director's approval: "Ok," it reads, "A little sinister!!"

While the agency came under fire for its choice of logo at a time of increased scrutiny on U.S. intelligence services, the documents show the logo was approved on Feb. 13, 2012, long before Snowden's disclosures.

In an article meant for internal consumption at NRO and "The Five Eyes" intelligence services called "The Patch Story," the agency explains how it was thought up:

"The secret origin of the patch is initially from [redacted] where the problem during the test stage in the thermal vacuum was traced to a large piece of cabling called an octopus harness," the article reads, while also mentioning the intelligence of the octopus and how it can reach prey in intricate spaces. "The running joke for the crew was that the octopus harness had taken over the world."

posted 07-03-2014 12:01 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by SkyMan1958:
Of course, radar reconnaissance is typically a more military related endeavor as opposed to signal intelligence type satellites.

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