Col. Michael T. Thomas holds the 127th Wing flag moments after taking command of the wing in a ceremony at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., June 4, 2011. Military commanders hold aloft the unit flag for all to see in a ceremony that traces its roots back to the days when kings lead their soldiers into battle in the field and the troops would follow the commands of he who held the flag. The streamers on the top of the flag represent deployments and battles that the wing has participated in over the years.