A DZ Flash is a badge or patch worn by the

Airborne forces Airborne forces are ground combat units carried by aircraft and airdropped into battle zones, typically by parachute drop. Parachute-qualified infantry and support personnel serving in airborne units are also known as paratroopers. The main ...

of the

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

and all squadrons of the

RAF Regiment The Royal Air Force Regiment (RAF Regiment) is part of the Royal Air Force and functions as a specialist corps. Founded by Royal Warrant in 1942, the Corps carries-out security tasks relating to the protection of assets and personnel dedicated ...

. DZ stands for '

drop zone A drop zone (DZ) is a place where parachutists or parachuted supplies land. It can be an area targeted for landing by paratroopers and airborne forces, or a base from which recreational parachutists and skydivers take off in aircraft and land ...

'. In RAF Regiment use, these flashes distinguish between squadrons, although within the RAF Regiment only II Squadron has a parachute capability. The DZ flash should not be confused with the smaller

Tactical Recognition Flash Tactical recognition flash (TRF) is the British military term for a coloured patch worn on the right arm of combat clothing by members of the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. A TRF serves to quickly Combat identification, identify th ...

(TRF) introduced and used by the rest of the Army.

Army

Current

Inactive

Air Force

Cadet Forces

Within the Royal Air Force Air Cadets the only cadets permitted to wear a DZ Flash are Qualified

Junior Leaders Junior Leaders was the name given to some Boys' Service training Regiments of the British Army that took entrants from the age of 15 who would eventually move on to join adult units at the age of seventeen and a half. Their aim was to produce and ...

. These cadets wear a blue green DZ.

References

British military insignia British Army equipment Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom) {{UK-mil-stub