Our Air Force Image Published March 7, 2012 By Jack Waid 47th Flying Training Wing Historian LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Flesh and blood, cloth, plastic, leather and metal are the embodiment of the Air Force uniform, but more specifically our Air Force image. The military uniform has been around for centuries. Arguably we could say the Air Force uniform's heritage reaches back to the Balloon Corps of both the Federal and Confederate Armies of the Civil War. Thus from meager beginnings of simple observation and reconnaissance, Airmen of today can be proud of the men and women whom have gone before. For the past 17 years I have collected close to 100 Air Force uniforms which have been put on display around the world. Through all the years of collecting, I have rarely met an Airman who was not proud of the image they presented in uniform. Airmen have fought not only in the air but on the ground alongside their sister services. Those who answered their nation's call were only subconsciously aware of the invaluable image they were leaving behind. The image may have blurred to the point we looked like Soldiers, Marines and Sailors at times but nevertheless, Airmen maintained the image. Airman maintained it as they fought with Marines and Army in the Korean War indistinguishable from their brothers-in-arms. Or in the 1950s when Airmen wore naval uniforms with Air Force blue and silver chevrons and blue and white nametapes as part of the Air Force's crash rescue boat service. The image has been blurred and dirtied but there is still so much pride bore by those who have wiped their tears on their uniform and who have drenched their uniforms with sweat in countries around the world and here at home. It is in those countries abroad that sometimes we have bled and died, leaving us with somber images. The Air Force image endows us with pride whenever we see it. When a wing engrosses itself in a 'pass and review,' on lookers are filled with pride upon viewing a sea of blue or sage green and grays. As leather shoes or combat boots glide through the grass of a parade ground, all involved become one with the tide of an honorable image. Rather than the sea of blue we commonly see today, Airmen in the past have worn olive drab green waist jackets with golden Air Force insignia and Air Force blue and silver chevrons. On lookers at a pass and review in the 1950s may have seen a sea of Air Force tan as wing personnel marched by in their 'silver tan' service dress uniforms. The image Air Force uniforms help present is our legacy and without it, we might not have the country we have today. Our image shares with the world that we are guardians of freedom and justice. Some of those guardians have worn white missileer coveralls and blue missileer fatigues. Others, such as the air police and security police, have worn multifaceted uniforms. Our image walks softly with an arsenal of technology affirming our nation's ability to be not only a sword, but a shield. The uniform represents our nation and the pride we have in her. Our image signifies our commitment to service before self, excellence in all we do and when others cannot, we will stand as wingmen in the gap during times of trouble. Through the years, the Air Force image has changed colors, combinations and fabrics. Although today's Air Force image is streamlined, one thing remains true. The uniform of the United States Air Force is nothing without the men and women who have worn it throughout the ages and those who wear it today.