Meaning
The symbol has two main parts. In the upper half, the stylized wings represent the stripes of the enlisted force. They have been drawn with great angularity to emphasize swiftness and power, and they are divided into six sections which represent the USAF's core distinct capabilities — aerospace superiority, global attack, rapid global mobility, precision engagement, information superiority, and agile combat support.
In the lower half there are a sphere, a star, and three diamonds. The sphere within the star represents the globe and reminds USAF members of their obligation to secure the United States's freedom with Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power. The globe is also meant to remind USAF members of their 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 the force and family—our active duty, civilians, Guard, Reserve, and retirees. The star symbolizes space as the high ground of the United States' aerospace force. The rallying symbol in all U.S. wars, the star also represents the officer corps, central to the USAF's combat leadership.
The star has been framed with three diamonds, which represent the USAF's 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 the United States, and a medal, representing valor in service to the nation.
Read more about this topic: United States Air Force Symbol
Famous quotes containing the word meaning:
“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“Philosophers have actually devoted themselves, in the main, neither to perceiving the world, nor to spinning webs of conceptual theory, but to interpreting the meaning of the civilizations which they have represented, and to attempting the interpretation of whatever minds in the universe, human or divine, they believed to be real.”
—Josiah Royce (1855–1916)
“Weapons are like money; no one knows the meaning of enough.”
—Martin Amis (b. 1949)