Public Affairs

The origins of the 180th Fighter Wing's organizational emblem date back to June 22, 1964 when the unit held a group wide design contest in search of a design that could be used to symbolically represent the newly formed 180th Tactical Fighter Group. The emblem was approved and became recognized federally on October 15, 1962. In accordance with Air Force guidance of the time, the design for organizational emblems had to meet several requirements before being approved by the National Guard Bureau. To be considered for approval, all ideas expressed within the design had to be original, simple, and in good taste. The emblem could not imitate designs of other organizations, portray specific types of equipment or display geographical locations. Another requirement is that each individual symbol in the design have some significance to the organization. The significance as written in 1964 is as follows: The four dart like figures symbolize the flying mission of the unit; the formation in which they are placed denotes the teamwork and coordination which is necessary within the group to successfully complete all facets of the assigned mission. The globe symbolizes the requirement levied on the group and its capability to rapidly deploy to any location on earth in accordance with the Air Force's concept of global disturbances. The yellow lightening streak symbolizes the speed and power of the Group aircraft and their capability to destroy those who would wage war or otherwise threaten the fundamental concepts for all mankind. It is also symbolic of the Tactical Air Commander and the Air Force Strike Command whose missions, like lightning can bring quick devastation to those who threaten our way of life. The black triangle symbolizes the 180th designation of this Group as it is the only geometric figure whose interior angles equal 180 degrees. Newly formed units within the group will have individual pictorial emblems based on the triangle. The ultra