A Wingman forged in blood, sweat, tears: New AFGSC commander builds foundation

Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, describes the origin of the wing’s emblem patch to Gen. Robin Rand, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 27, 2015. The emblem reflects a proud heritage almost as old as American air power. In the shape of an Air Force shield, the emblem is divided at the top into five perpendicular stripes. The colors of the stripes, black and primitive green, are those that the wing bore as part of the Army Air Service during World War I. The three primitive green stripes represent the three major offensives in which the wing participated during that war: St. Mihiel, Lorraine and Meuse-Argonne. The white fleur de lis at the top symbolizes France, the theater of operations for the wing's World War I achievements. The lower portion of the shield is in Air Force golden yellow, charged with four aerial bombs in ultramarine blue, not only representing the original four combatant squadrons assigned during World War I, but also suggesting the unit's present mission as a heavy bombardment wing of Air Force Global Strike Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)