Airmen create lasting legacy, enrich tradition Published Aug. 7, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Airmen will have a chance to take part in the design of Air Force Global Strike Command's Order of the Sword, a military tradition dating back to Europe in the early twelfth century. More than eight centuries ago, Swedish non-commissioned officers would pledge their loyalty to a leader by presenting their leader with a sword, which represented truth, justice and power. AFGSC's Top 3 Enlisted Heritage Committee, in conjunction with AFGSC's Command Chief Master Sgt. Brian Hornback, is accepting design submissions from Airmen. According to Air Force Instruction 36-2824: Order of the Sword Programs, "The Order of the Sword was established by the AF enlisted force to recognize and honor military senior officers, colonel or above, and civilian equivalents, for conspicuous and significant contributions to the welfare and prestige of the AF enlisted force, mission effectiveness as well as the overall military establishment." Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Shay is the chairman of the AFGSC Top 3 Heritage Committee, which tries to keep as few restrictions on design criteria as possible to maximize the number of sword designs. "We already have names of more than 30 people who are interested in designing our MAJCOM's Master Sword, and more than half have already submitted their design ideas," Shay said. "Any member of Global Strike can submit a design." The AFGSC Top 3 Heritage Committee will narrow the submissions down to three. Hornback, the keeper of the Master Sword will make the final selection. "As you take this on, I ask that you keep our heritage of Strategic Air Command in your mind as the sword should reflect our past as well as our future," Hornback said in an email to the command. For more information on the AFGSC Master Sword design requirements contact Master Sgt. Malia Johnson at 456-7270.