United States Air Force Symbol

Last updated
U.S. Air Force Symbol US Air Force Logo Silver.svg
U.S. Air Force Symbol
Blue and silver version USAF logo.png
Blue and silver version
Monochrome version US Air Force Logo - Black and White Version (cropped).svg
Monochrome version

The United States Air Force Symbol is the public logo of the United States Air Force. [1] It was unveiled in January 2000 following a period of research and planning, [2] and became official on May 5, 2004, four years after the Air Force first applied for trademark protection. [3] The Air Force also released guidelines on appropriate uses for the new symbol. [4]

Contents

The Air Force began testing the symbol in 2001 by affixing it to base entry signs, water towers, and some aircraft and vehicles. [3] By 2002, the new symbol had gained "widespread" acceptance within the service, according to a survey of Air Force respondents. [3]

The Air Force symbol is based on the World War II "Hap Arnold Wings," named for General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold. [5] [6] According to the Air Force, the symbol's "modern design" represents the service's "present and future leading edge capabilities defending our nation," and the symbol itself represents the heritage of the service. [6] The Air Force renewed the trademark for the symbol in 2013 [7] and 2024. [8]

History

Following a 1999 recruiting shortfall, the Air Force desired to adopt a new symbol to represent the service for "all internal and external audiences." [2] Research, surveys and focus groups had already been commissioned in 1998. [6] The Air Force hired New York advertising agency Siegel & Gale for "the task of researching and designing the new image, logo, and tagline." [2] Company representatives traveled throughout the Air Force and to major U.S. cities to conduct research and become intimately familiar with the Air Force and its culture, environment, and heritage. [6]

In 2001, the Air Force began testing the emblem, affixing it "on a limited number of base entry signs and water towers and a small number of aircraft and vehicles." [3] The symbol was unveiled before its official adoption so the Air Force could test public opinion prior to making a final decision. [2]

Air Force headquarters released a memo, dated February 10, 2003, addressing the symbol's use on "Base Entry Signs and Water Towers," remarking that the use of the symbol "at base entry gates and on water towers has become widely accepted throughout the Air Force," and stating: "As our installations adopt the new sign criteria, we move closer to our goal of achieving a consistent professional 'first impression.'" [9]

Commenting on the symbol's official adoption in 2004, Air Force Chief of Staff General John P. Jumper said, "I'm proud our symbol is now an official part of our heritage," and remarked: "It represents our storied past and links our 21st Century Air Force to our core values and capabilities." [3]

Timeline of the symbol's design and adoption

Air Force graphic showing the symbol alongside the Hap Arnold Wings USAAF to 2008 USAF emblem.jpg
Air Force graphic showing the symbol alongside the Hap Arnold Wings

Hap Arnold Wings

The original Army Air Forces shoulder sleeve insignia, or "Hap Arnold emblem," was approved on February 23, 1942; it was designed by James T. Rawls, an artist on General Henry H. Arnold's staff. [12] Rawls was inspired to bend the wings upward after seeing a photo of Winston Churchill giving his famous "V for Victory" sign. [12] The insignia was authorized for wear by Army Air Forces (AAF) Regulation 35-11, dated March 21, 1942. [13]

The patch was initially worn by all personnel of the U.S. Army Air Forces, but in March 1943 it was "limited to those AAF personnel not in overseas commands," and in June 1943 it was limited to "Headquarters AAF and a few other independent commands." [12] The ultramarine colored disk represents the sky and air, while the "white star with red disk" had been the identifying symbol of U.S. Army and Navy airplanes since 1921. [13] [12] The "Hap Arnold Wings" remain the "legacy brand of the Air Force," and the insignia is also referred to as the "Army Air Corps symbol." [5] The design is currently used on Air Force uniform buttons, [12] and on the Air Force Chief of Staff seal. [14] The U.S. Air Force Symbol is "based on" the Hap Arnold Wings. [6]

Meaning of design

Air Force Public Affairs Agency poster featuring the symbol US Air Force Symbol poster.jpg
Air Force Public Affairs Agency poster featuring the symbol

According to the Air Force, the symbol "honors the heritage of our past and represents the promise of our future," and "retains the core elements of our Air Corps heritage -- the 'Arnold' wings and star with circle." [15] [1] The design is based on the classic "Hap" Arnold wings from the Second World War, while the modern style signifies the "Air Force’s present and future leading edge capabilities defending our nation." [6]

Unless approved by the Air Force Chief of Staff, the only words allowed beneath the Air Force Symbol are "U.S. Air Force," "Academy," and "ROTC." [1] Certain approved emblems may be placed "between the wings," with the emblem being "half the height of the Symbol." [1] The symbol is "available for use in blue, black, grey, chrome-silver, chrome-blue and white versions." [1] On the official U.S. Air Force website, the meaning of the symbol was described as follows:

"The symbol has two main parts. In the upper half, the stylized wings represent the stripes of our strength -- the enlisted men and women of our force. They are drawn with great angularity to emphasize our swiftness and power, and they are divided into six sections which represent our distinctive capabilities -- air and space superiority, global attack, rapid global mobility, precision engagement, information superiority, and agile combat support.

"In the lower half are a sphere, a star and three diamonds. The sphere within the star represents the globe. It reminds us of our obligation to secure our nation's freedom with Global Vigilance, Reach and Power. The globe also reminds us of our challenge as an expeditionary force to respond rapidly to crises and to provide decisive aerospace power, worldwide.

"The area surrounding the sphere takes the shape of a star. The star has many meanings. Its five points represent the components of our Total Force and family -- our active duty, civilians, Guard, Reserve and retirees. The star symbolizes space as the high ground of our nation's air and space force. The rallying symbol in all our wars, the star also represents our officer corps, central to our combat leadership.

"The star is framed with three diamonds, which represent our core values -- integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. The elements come together to form one symbol that presents two powerful images -- at once it is an eagle, the emblem of our nation, and a medal, representing valor in service to our nation."

— U.S. Air Force, "The Meaning of Our Symbol" [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Air Force</span> Air service branch of the U.S. military

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps, the USAF was established as a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces in 1947 with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947. It is the second youngest branch of the United States Armed Forces and the fourth in order of precedence. The United States Air Force articulates its core missions as air supremacy, global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry H. Arnold</span> US Army Air Forces general (1886–1950)

Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold was an American general officer holding the ranks of General of the Army and later, General of the Air Force. Arnold was an aviation pioneer, Chief of the Air Corps (1938–1941), commanding general of the United States Army Air Forces, the only United States Air Force general to hold five-star rank, and the only officer to hold a five-star rank in two different U.S. military services. Arnold was also the founder of Project RAND, which evolved into one of the world's largest non-profit global policy think tanks, the RAND Corporation, and was one of the founders of Pan American World Airways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eighteenth Air Force</span> Numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for air mobility forces

Eighteenth Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) (18 AF) is the only Numbered Air Force (NAF) in Air Mobility Command (AMC) and one of the largest NAFs in the United States Air Force. 18 AF was activated on 28 March 1951, inactivated on 1 January 1958, and re-activated on 1 October 2003. 18 AF is headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force</span> Senior enlisted member of the US Air Force

The chief master sergeant of the Air Force is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and position of office represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, unless an enlisted airman is serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman. The CMSAF provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. The CMSAF is appointed by the Air Force chief of staff (AF/CC) and serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Air Force chief of staff and the secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force.

The Aircrew Badge, commonly known as Wings, is a qualification badge of the United States military that is awarded by all five branches of armed services to personnel who serve as aircrew members on board military aircraft. The badge is intended to recognize the training and qualifications required by aircrew of military aircraft. In order to qualify as an aircrew member and receive the Aircrew Badge, such personnel typically undergo advanced training in aircraft in-flight support roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air University (United States Air Force)</span> U.S. Air Force military education institution

Air University is a professional military education university system of the United States Air Force. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award master's degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat Action Medal</span> U.S. Air and Space Forces combat decoration

The Combat Action Medal (CAM) is a decoration of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force to recognize airmen and guardians for active participation in ground or air combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms of the United States Air Force</span> Standardized military uniforms worn by airmen of the United States Air Force

The uniforms of the United States Air Force are the standardized military uniforms worn by members of the United States Air Force to distinguish themselves from the other services.

General of the Air Force (GAF) is a five-star general officer rank and is the highest possible rank in the United States Air Force. General of the Air Force ranks immediately above a general and is equivalent to General of the Army in the United States Army and Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy. The rank has only been held by one man, General Henry H. Arnold, who had served as head of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. As at the time of his promotion, the Air Force was a component of the Army instead of its own branch, the rank has not been first awarded to someone who is serving in the Air Force. Arnold retained the rank when the separate branch was created, and he was redesignated General of the Air Force in 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Air Forces</span> Aerial warfare branch from 1941 to 1947

The United States Army Air Forces was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and de facto aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II (1941–1947). It was created on 20 June 1941 as successor to the previous United States Army Air Corps and is the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force, today one of the six armed forces of the United States. The AAF was a component of the United States Army, which on 2 March 1942 was divided functionally by executive order into three autonomous forces: the Army Ground Forces, the United States Army Services of Supply, and the Army Air Forces. Each of these forces had a commanding general who reported directly to the Army Chief of Staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tabs of the United States Army</span> American Army insignia

In the United States Army, tabs are cloth and/or metal arches that are worn on U.S. Army uniforms, displaying a word or words signifying a special skill. On the Army Combat Uniform and Army Service Uniform, the tabs are worn above a unit's shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) and are used to identify a unit's or a soldier's special skill(s) or are worn as part of a unit's SSI as part of its unique heritage. Individual tabs are also worn as small metal arches above or below medals or ribbons on dress uniforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religious symbolism in the United States military</span> Aspect of military life

Religious symbolism in the United States military includes the use of religious symbols for military chaplain insignia, uniforms, emblems, flags, and chapels; symbolic gestures, actions, and words used in military rituals and ceremonies; and religious symbols or designations used in areas such as headstones and markers in national cemeteries, and military ID tags.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Base Langley–Eustis</span> US military joint service installation near Hampton, Virginia, United States

Joint Base Langley–Eustis is a United States military facility located adjacent to Hampton and Newport News, Virginia. The base is an amalgamation of the United States Air Force's Langley Air Force Base and the United States Army's Fort Eustis which were merged on 1 October 2010. The base was established in accordance with congressional legislation implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The legislation ordered the consolidation of the two facilities which were nearby, but separate military installations, into a single Joint Base, one of 12 formed in the United States as a result of the law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insignia of chaplain schools in the United States military</span>

In addition to the three official Chaplain Corps seals for the army, navy, and air force, chaplaincies also have special seals and emblems for special schools and organizations for their chaplains, as well as a shared emblem for the "Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center" (AFCC), Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina, where chaplains from all branches of the military receive their training. The original AFCC emblem had three symbols traditionally associated with learning and wisdom—a lamp, a torch and a book. A second emblem was developed by the Commandants and Commanding Officer of the three schools, in part so that it could be used on the reverse side of a two-sided AFCC challenge coin, with one symbol drawn from each of the army, navy, and Chaplain Corps emblems: a dove from the army emblem, cupped hands from the air force emblem, and an anchor from the navy emblem. In addition to using both emblems on the two sides of the AFCC coin, both designs were displayed in the AFCC lobby.

The Space Operations Badge is an occupational badge for guardians of the United States Space Force and space airmen of the United States Air Force while the United States Army (USA) version of the badge, known as the Space Badge, is a special skills badge for soldiers who qualify as space professionals.

The Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal (RCECM) is a United States Air Force and United States Space Force campaign medal established on 22 May 2019. The medal recognizes air force personnel, "in non-deployed status who directly participated in a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) combat operation from a remote location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Operations Command</span> U.S. Space Force space, cyber, and intelligence field command

Space Operations Command (SpOC) is the United States Space Force's space operations, cyber operations, and intelligence field command. Headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, it consists of its mission deltas, and garrison commands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seal of the United States Space Force</span> Official seal of the U.S. Space Force

The Seal of the United States Space Force is the official seal of the U.S. Space Force, the space service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The seal itself was approved on 15 January 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Force Delta</span> Official logo of the United States Space Force

The Space Force Delta is the official logo of the U.S. Space Force, the space warfare service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The delta itself was unveiled on 22 July 2020.

Comparison of ranks and insignia of all current and former space forces, to include aerospace forces and air and space forces or air forces with space units and formations.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Air Force Symbol". Air Force & Space Force Intellectual Property Management. U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Riley, Jonathan (2014). "At the Fulcrum of Air Force Identity" (PDF). media.defense.gov. Air University Press: Air Force Research Institute. pp. 34–35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Streeter, Melanie (June 16, 2004). "Air Force Symbol now official". Air Force & Space Force Intellectual Property Management. U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  4. ↑ "Air Force Symbol: Guidelines for Use". www.af.mil. U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 26 June 2004. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  5. 1 2 "Army Air Corps symbol". www.trademark.af.mil. U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 28 September 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Air Force Symbol: History". www.af.mil. U.S. Air Force. 2004. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  7. ↑ "Trademark RN 2767190: Official Notice of Acceptance and Renewal under Sections 8 and 9 of the Trademark Act". tsdr.uspto.gov. United States Patent and Trademark Office. July 2, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Official USPTO Notice of Acceptance and Renewal Sections 8 and 9: U.S. Trademark RN 2767190: Miscellaneous Design". tsdr.uspto.gov. United States Patent and Trademark Office. February 29, 2024.
  9. ↑ Jumper, John P.; USAF Chief of Staff (February 10, 2003). "MEMORANDUM FOR ALMAJCOM/CC: Use of Air Force Symbol on Base Entry Signs and Water Towers". U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 8 June 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ "Trademark Status & Document Retrieval". tarr.uspto.gov. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  11. ↑ "Reg. No. 2,767,190" (PDF). United States Patent and Trademark Office. September 23, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2009.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Army Air Forces World War II Shoulder Sleeve Insignia". Air Force Historical Support Division. U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  13. 1 2 "Army Air Forces Shoulder Sleeve Insignia". tioh.army.mil. U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 28 September 2024.
  14. ↑ "Air Force Chief of Staff". www.af.mil. U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 30 Oct 2024. Air Force Chief of Staff Seal.
  15. ↑ "Symbol: The Meaning of Our Symbol". www.af.mil. U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 8 June 2006.
  16. ↑ "Symbol: The Meaning of Our Symbol". www.af.mil. U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 8 June 2006.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.