MAINTENANCE BADGE
AIR FORCE MAINTENANCE BADGE HERALDRY
HERALDRY: The design of the falcon is a replica of the maintenance falcon located in the National Cathedral at Washington DC. The falcon symbolizes the airborne strength possessed by the Air Force and made possible by the maintenance of aircraft, munitions, and communications-electronics equipment. In its talons, the falcon is holding a bomb and a generic 21st century aircraft. They are crossed to show the interrelationship of the career fields. The three levels of the award are signified by the addition of a star centered above the falcon for the senior level and the star surrounded by an olive wreath for the master level.
THE AIRCRAFT: The aircraft, streamlined to depict a 21st century aircraft, is symbolic of all aircraft maintained by the personnel who will wear the badge into the 21st century.
THE AIRCRAFT LEADING EDGES: The aircraft has three leading edges, which represent the three enlisted maintenance specialties: aircraft, munitions, and communications-electronics. The personnel, like the leading edges of the aircraft, work together to support the flying mission.
THE BOMB: The bomb, streamlined to depict a modern munition, symbolizes the primary mission of the Air Force maintainer to make sure they put the bombs on target.
THE FIELD: The field is without obstruction and depicts a free sky.
THE OLIVE WREATH: The olive wreath, surrounding the badge, symbolizes the peace which we defend through professional maintenance.