United States Air Force Symbol The United States Air Force Symbol is the symbol of the United States Air Force . It was introduced in January 2000 . Guidelines that outlined appropriate uses for the new Air Force symbol were released March 23 . The symbol was first tested on gates and water towers in August . History . In the late 1990s , Air Force senior leadership recognized the need to design an official symbol and develop a centralized theme to encourage young people to join , encourage airmen to stay , and to build understanding , appreciation , and support for America ' s Air Force . They directed a commercial company , specializing in corporate branding , to research and develop a unique symbol . 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 . The new Air Force symbol is based on the familiar World War II " Hap " Arnold wings and represents the service ' s heritage . The symbol ’ s modern design represents the Air Force ’ s present and future leading edge capabilities defending the United States . Meaning . The U . S . Air Force symbol honors the heritage of our past and represents the promise of our future . It retains the core elements of our Air Corps heritage — the " Arnold " wings and star with circle — and modernizes them to reflect our air and space force of today and tomorrow . 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 . External links . The Air Force Symbol is NOT public domain . People wishing to use the Air Force Symbol need to enter a license agreement with the Air Force . ( see below )