Debby, I worked for the 99th Range Group as Deputy Commander of the Northern Ranges at the time the chips first were issued. They were issued as fund raisers for our small 6 person detachment to cover costs for functions we could not use taxpayer money for, such as going away gifts, cards for people in the hospital, and hosting visiting DVs. They were sold to mainly visitors to the Bombing Ranges from our office at Tonopah Test Airfield, which was our headquarters about 230 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Most went to personnel participating in Red Flag exercise working on the remote ranges doing such things as manning drop zones, controlling strike aircraft, or search and rescue exercises. Very few ended up in the hands of collectors. There were a total of 7 chips issued by the detachment. One in 1998 with 500 made (picture of F-117). A set of three in 1999 (Hind helicopter/B-2 Bomber/Scud missile) - 200 of each were made in this set. Another one was released in 1999 with a mintage of 500 and a picture of an F-22. A millenium chip was issued in 2000 with a mintage of 500 and a picture of an F-117 and F-22. In 2001 a chip with a picture of an F-22 and some missiles was released in a mintage of 500. The "Alien" chip was not released by the detachment, but by an individual and has a mintage of 500. It says version I on it but there was never a version 2. None of these chips are still available. The Red Flag chips Jim refers to are issued by the Red Flag squadron on Nellis AFB and also sold as souvineers. When they run out of these they usually change designs.
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