DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE UNIT HISTORIES
Activate. To bring into physical existence by assignment of personnel (from 1922-1959, and again after 1968). In 1922, "activate" replaced the term "organize." During the period 1959-1968, however, activate meant to place on the active list, available to be organized. See also "organize."
Assign. To place in a military organization, as a permanent element or component of that organization.
Attach. To place one military organization temporarily with another for operational control and other purposes, including administration and logistical support. An attached organization is one that is temporarily serving away from the establishment to which it is assigned. It is usually attached to another establishment.
Authorize. To designate an organization and place it on the inactive Army list. Used during the middle and late 1920s and early 1930s in place of "constitute," particularly for organizations held for an emergency and not scheduled for immediate activation.
Consolidate. To combine two (or more) organizations, merging their lineage into a single line, thereby forming a single organization. Organizations with concurrent or overlapping periods of activation cannot be consolidated. Consolidation usually applies to organizations that were active at different times but have the same numerical designations or similar functions.
Constitute. After 1922, to give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the inactive Army/Air Force List. See also "designate."
Demobilize. To withdraw all personnel from an active organization and remove the organization entirely from the Army List. Used 1907-1922.
Constitute. Provide the legal authority for a new unit by designating it in a Department of the
Air Force letter.
Designate. To give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the inactive Army List, 1907-1922. After 1922, see "constitute." Also to give an official name, or number and name, to a nonconstituted organization.
Designation. The name of a unit or establishment. The designation includes all parts of the name: numerical, functional, and generic. A designation also applies to named activities and certain functions. Disband. After 1922, to remove an inactive organization from the inactive Army/Air Force List. Shortly before and during World War II, this action was also used to withdraw all personnel from an active organization and simultaneously remove the organization from the Army List. Replaced the term "demobilize."
Disband. Withdraw the legal authority for a unit. The designation of the unit is retired and preserved in historical records.
Discontinue. To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization, used only during period, 1959-1968. See "inactivate."
Disestablish. To terminate an establishment concurrent with disbandment of its headquarters organization, until reestablished.
Establish. To assign a designation to an establishment concurrent with the designation or the constitution of the headquarters organization.
Establishment. A military organization at group or higher echelon composed of a headquarters organization and any other components that might be assigned. Personnel are not assigned to an establishment, but to its components.
Inactivate. To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization and place the organization on the inactive list (from 1922 to 1959 and from 1968 to date). An inactive unit retains its lineage, history, and honors, and is available for activation when needed again. During the period 1959-1968 to be inactivated meant to be transferred from the active to the inactive list, after being discontinued.
Order to the Active Service. To place a Reserve or National Guard organization on active duty with the regular Air Force.
Organization. The term organization applies to units and establishments.
Organize. To assign personnel to a designated organization (1907-1922), a nonconstituted organization (1944-1968), or a constituted organization (1959-1968). See also "activate."
Reconstitute. To return a disbanded or demobilized organization to the inactive Army/Air Force List, making it available for activation (1922-current).
Redesignate. To change the designation of an organization.
Reestablish. To return a previously existing establishment from disestablished status to the active list, so that it can be activated.
Relieve from Active Duty. Reserve organizations are relieved from active duty with the regular Air Force upon completion of a period of active duty.
HERALDRY GLOSSARY
Air Force Colors—Air Force yellow signifies the excellence required of Air Force personnel; Air Force (ultramarine) blue signifies the sky as the primary theater for Air Force operations.
Bestowal of Honors—In 1954, to perpetuate the histories and honors of the World War II combat groups, an ad hoc committee recommended to the Air Force that the histories and honors of the combat groups be bestowed upon the similarly designated combat wings. Although contrary to a longstanding policy against transferring history and honors from one organization to another, the Department of the Air Force bestowed on each combat wing the history and honors of its similarly designated combat group.
Conferred—Honors that a provisional organization has earned and that the associated permanent
organization may claim and display as its own.
Disc—Shape on which the heraldic devices, symbols, or elements of a unit emblem are displayed The disc of today originated with a roundel, which consisted of a white five-pointed star in a blue circle, with a red disc in the center of the star. The roundel was displayed unofficially on early USA Signal Corps airplanes, adopted officially in 1917 for airplanes, and later evolved into the national star and bar aircraft marking of today. The US Air Force adopted the disc in the early 1950s as the official shape for squadron emblems.
Element—In emblem design, a symbol or group of symbols, such as a constellation or bundle of arrows, portraying a single characteristic, trait, or concept.
Emblem—An officially approved symbolic design portraying the distinctive history, mission, and general function of an organization. It is an important, abiding element of the organization’s heritage.
Flag Drawing—A blueprint of the organizational flag, with the lettering for the motto or establishment designation correctly placed on the scroll. The manufacturer of the organizational flag must have a flag drawing from the organization, even if the only change is in the lettering on the scroll.
Functional Emblems—Unofficial, non-unit emblems locally designed, authorized, and displayed. These are often referred to as “morale patches.” In no case should the historian become involved in the design or approval of such emblems. The functional emblem should be designed by the functional manager. An organization that uses a functional emblem in place of an approved unit or organizational emblem violates para. 3.2. of this AFI.
Guidon—A pennant used by units on ceremonial occasions. Guidons are ultramarine blue wool and nylon, nylon, or polyester bunting, swallow-tailed, 1 foot 8 inches tall by 2 feet 3 inches wide to end of the swallowtail, and forked 10 inches. The Air Force yellow American Eagle design appears on the front of the guidon and on the reverse side as if printed through. Above the design is the designation of the parent unit; below it is the designation of the squadron. The unit may use authorized abbreviations. When the number of the squadron and the parent organization are the same, the lower line indicates only the alphabetical portion of the squadron designation. Numerals and lettering are yellow, from 1 3/4 to 3-1/2 inches tall, and in varying widths. Lettering and numerals appear on both sides of the guidon, reading from left to right on both sides.
Heraldry—The emblem, motto, designation, scroll(s), and shield (of an establishment) or disc (of a unit).
Heritage—Those traditions embodied in the history, lineage, honors, and heraldry of an organization.
Honors—Official recognition documenting an organization’s participation in combat or meritorious achievement. They appear as service, campaign, Armed Forces Expeditionary, and decoration streamers affixed to the organizational flag of an establishment or to the guidon of a unit. Order flags, guidons, and streamers through official supply channels.
Lineage—The unique, official, traceable record of organizational actions peculiar to each Air Force organization and to no other organization.
Lineage & Honors History—A statement that identifies the lineage, accrued honors, assignments, stations, and emblem of an organization. It may include a list of commanders and a list of aircraft, missiles, or both. If the organization is an establishment, the lineage and honors history may also identify component organizations. Lineage and honors histories for combat or support organizations that participated in significant Air Force operations may also contain narrative summaries of operations.
Motto—Part of the heraldry of an organization. It expresses in a word or short phrase the organization’s goals, ideals, or principles.
Organizational Flag—The organizational flag is authorized only for an organization with a headquarters, i.e. an establishment. The official designation must include the word “Headquarters,” for example, “Headquarters, 1st Wing.” The flag is rayon or synthetic substitute material, ultramarine blue field, 3 feet by 4 feet, trimmed on three edges with a fringe of yellow rayon 2 ½ inches wide. The shield contains the approved, official organizational emblem.
Patch—An informal term used to refer to the cloth depiction of an emblem (either in full color or
subdued for camouflage) that can be affixed to a uniform. Governed by AFI 36-2903.
Shield—Shape on which the heraldic devices, symbols, or elements of an establishment’s emblem are displayed. This shape derives from the shield displayed on the Air Force Seal, which the Department of the Air Force adopted in 1947. The Air Force requires establishments to use this type shield to display their distinctive emblems on organizational flags and emblems. Patches for uniforms using this shield shape were phased in during late 1940s and early 1950s as the US Army Air Forces shield was phased out.
Assign. To place in a military organization, as a permanent element or component of that organization.
Attach. To place one military organization temporarily with another for operational control and other purposes, including administration and logistical support. An attached organization is one that is temporarily serving away from the establishment to which it is assigned. It is usually attached to another establishment.
Authorize. To designate an organization and place it on the inactive Army list. Used during the middle and late 1920s and early 1930s in place of "constitute," particularly for organizations held for an emergency and not scheduled for immediate activation.
Consolidate. To combine two (or more) organizations, merging their lineage into a single line, thereby forming a single organization. Organizations with concurrent or overlapping periods of activation cannot be consolidated. Consolidation usually applies to organizations that were active at different times but have the same numerical designations or similar functions.
Constitute. After 1922, to give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the inactive Army/Air Force List. See also "designate."
Demobilize. To withdraw all personnel from an active organization and remove the organization entirely from the Army List. Used 1907-1922.
Constitute. Provide the legal authority for a new unit by designating it in a Department of the
Air Force letter.
Designate. To give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the inactive Army List, 1907-1922. After 1922, see "constitute." Also to give an official name, or number and name, to a nonconstituted organization.
Designation. The name of a unit or establishment. The designation includes all parts of the name: numerical, functional, and generic. A designation also applies to named activities and certain functions. Disband. After 1922, to remove an inactive organization from the inactive Army/Air Force List. Shortly before and during World War II, this action was also used to withdraw all personnel from an active organization and simultaneously remove the organization from the Army List. Replaced the term "demobilize."
Disband. Withdraw the legal authority for a unit. The designation of the unit is retired and preserved in historical records.
Discontinue. To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization, used only during period, 1959-1968. See "inactivate."
Disestablish. To terminate an establishment concurrent with disbandment of its headquarters organization, until reestablished.
Establish. To assign a designation to an establishment concurrent with the designation or the constitution of the headquarters organization.
Establishment. A military organization at group or higher echelon composed of a headquarters organization and any other components that might be assigned. Personnel are not assigned to an establishment, but to its components.
Inactivate. To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization and place the organization on the inactive list (from 1922 to 1959 and from 1968 to date). An inactive unit retains its lineage, history, and honors, and is available for activation when needed again. During the period 1959-1968 to be inactivated meant to be transferred from the active to the inactive list, after being discontinued.
Order to the Active Service. To place a Reserve or National Guard organization on active duty with the regular Air Force.
Organization. The term organization applies to units and establishments.
Organize. To assign personnel to a designated organization (1907-1922), a nonconstituted organization (1944-1968), or a constituted organization (1959-1968). See also "activate."
Reconstitute. To return a disbanded or demobilized organization to the inactive Army/Air Force List, making it available for activation (1922-current).
Redesignate. To change the designation of an organization.
Reestablish. To return a previously existing establishment from disestablished status to the active list, so that it can be activated.
Relieve from Active Duty. Reserve organizations are relieved from active duty with the regular Air Force upon completion of a period of active duty.
HERALDRY GLOSSARY
Air Force Colors—Air Force yellow signifies the excellence required of Air Force personnel; Air Force (ultramarine) blue signifies the sky as the primary theater for Air Force operations.
Bestowal of Honors—In 1954, to perpetuate the histories and honors of the World War II combat groups, an ad hoc committee recommended to the Air Force that the histories and honors of the combat groups be bestowed upon the similarly designated combat wings. Although contrary to a longstanding policy against transferring history and honors from one organization to another, the Department of the Air Force bestowed on each combat wing the history and honors of its similarly designated combat group.
Conferred—Honors that a provisional organization has earned and that the associated permanent
organization may claim and display as its own.
Disc—Shape on which the heraldic devices, symbols, or elements of a unit emblem are displayed The disc of today originated with a roundel, which consisted of a white five-pointed star in a blue circle, with a red disc in the center of the star. The roundel was displayed unofficially on early USA Signal Corps airplanes, adopted officially in 1917 for airplanes, and later evolved into the national star and bar aircraft marking of today. The US Air Force adopted the disc in the early 1950s as the official shape for squadron emblems.
Element—In emblem design, a symbol or group of symbols, such as a constellation or bundle of arrows, portraying a single characteristic, trait, or concept.
Emblem—An officially approved symbolic design portraying the distinctive history, mission, and general function of an organization. It is an important, abiding element of the organization’s heritage.
Flag Drawing—A blueprint of the organizational flag, with the lettering for the motto or establishment designation correctly placed on the scroll. The manufacturer of the organizational flag must have a flag drawing from the organization, even if the only change is in the lettering on the scroll.
Functional Emblems—Unofficial, non-unit emblems locally designed, authorized, and displayed. These are often referred to as “morale patches.” In no case should the historian become involved in the design or approval of such emblems. The functional emblem should be designed by the functional manager. An organization that uses a functional emblem in place of an approved unit or organizational emblem violates para. 3.2. of this AFI.
Guidon—A pennant used by units on ceremonial occasions. Guidons are ultramarine blue wool and nylon, nylon, or polyester bunting, swallow-tailed, 1 foot 8 inches tall by 2 feet 3 inches wide to end of the swallowtail, and forked 10 inches. The Air Force yellow American Eagle design appears on the front of the guidon and on the reverse side as if printed through. Above the design is the designation of the parent unit; below it is the designation of the squadron. The unit may use authorized abbreviations. When the number of the squadron and the parent organization are the same, the lower line indicates only the alphabetical portion of the squadron designation. Numerals and lettering are yellow, from 1 3/4 to 3-1/2 inches tall, and in varying widths. Lettering and numerals appear on both sides of the guidon, reading from left to right on both sides.
Heraldry—The emblem, motto, designation, scroll(s), and shield (of an establishment) or disc (of a unit).
Heritage—Those traditions embodied in the history, lineage, honors, and heraldry of an organization.
Honors—Official recognition documenting an organization’s participation in combat or meritorious achievement. They appear as service, campaign, Armed Forces Expeditionary, and decoration streamers affixed to the organizational flag of an establishment or to the guidon of a unit. Order flags, guidons, and streamers through official supply channels.
Lineage—The unique, official, traceable record of organizational actions peculiar to each Air Force organization and to no other organization.
Lineage & Honors History—A statement that identifies the lineage, accrued honors, assignments, stations, and emblem of an organization. It may include a list of commanders and a list of aircraft, missiles, or both. If the organization is an establishment, the lineage and honors history may also identify component organizations. Lineage and honors histories for combat or support organizations that participated in significant Air Force operations may also contain narrative summaries of operations.
Motto—Part of the heraldry of an organization. It expresses in a word or short phrase the organization’s goals, ideals, or principles.
Organizational Flag—The organizational flag is authorized only for an organization with a headquarters, i.e. an establishment. The official designation must include the word “Headquarters,” for example, “Headquarters, 1st Wing.” The flag is rayon or synthetic substitute material, ultramarine blue field, 3 feet by 4 feet, trimmed on three edges with a fringe of yellow rayon 2 ½ inches wide. The shield contains the approved, official organizational emblem.
Patch—An informal term used to refer to the cloth depiction of an emblem (either in full color or
subdued for camouflage) that can be affixed to a uniform. Governed by AFI 36-2903.
Shield—Shape on which the heraldic devices, symbols, or elements of an establishment’s emblem are displayed. This shape derives from the shield displayed on the Air Force Seal, which the Department of the Air Force adopted in 1947. The Air Force requires establishments to use this type shield to display their distinctive emblems on organizational flags and emblems. Patches for uniforms using this shield shape were phased in during late 1940s and early 1950s as the US Army Air Forces shield was phased out.