AFLCMC unveils new emblem

  • Published
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio --  The offiical emblem for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has been approved by the Air Force Historical Research Agency marking another step in the development of the new center.

AFLCMC, which provides "cradle to grave" management of Air Force aircraft, communications, armaments, cyber and other systems, activated July 9 and is scheduled to reach Initial Operating Capability on October 1.

Inaugural commander, Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II previewed the emblem during a recent commander's call here.

The emblem depicts a globe representing the worldwide impact of the Center and its ability to develop solutions for the warfighter for night, day, and in all situations. A lance and lightning bolts outline a stylized aircraft system, representing the full range of systems--aeronautical, armament, and electronic--that the Center provides to the United States Air Force and its international partners. The shield also contains the required Air Force colors of ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations, and yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel.

The AFLCMC emblem design began last spring with a contest to solicit suggestions. AAC, AFSAC, ASC, and ESC personnel and organizations submitted 26 proposals. A joint panel of senior center officers reviewed the submissions and refined them to 10 finalists. General Moore and the center commanders then made the final selection. The winning concept was based on a design developed by Air Armament Center's John James and Todd L. Carnahan.

Several features drew General Moore and the center commanders to the winning design. They thought the connecting lightning bolts, lance, and outlined aircraft system aptly captured heritage organizations and represented the full range of systems that AFLCMC was charged with integrating. The placement of the globe within the basic design emphasized the new Center's worldwide impact and responsiveness to the warfighting community. Finally, the design's unity symbolized AFLCMC's team approach to its integration mission.

As directed by AFI 84-105, AFLCMC was unable to submit the design for approval until the unit was officially activated. Once the Center's activation order was issued in June, the proposal was sent to the Air Force Historical Research Agency for review and approval. The Army Institute of Heraldry prepared the official graphic artwork and drawings for the unit patch and flag. The Center is now in the process of requisitioning unit patches and flags.

As with all official Air Force unit emblems, the unit retains exclusive use of its approved heraldic emblem. The Center commander controls and determines the proper the use of the AFLCMC emblem. Non-Air Force individuals and organizations may use the symbol only with the AFLCMC commander's permission