United States Air Forces in Europe can trace its origins to Eighth Air Force, which between 1942 and 1944 engaged in strategic bombing operations in Europe under VIII Bomber Command. In February 1944, VIII Bomber Command was redesignated as Eighth Air Force, which had been inactivated before being redesignated U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSAFE). In August 1945, USSAFE was designated as United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), a designation it retained until 2012 when the inactivation of Seventeenth Air Force led to the merger of USAFE and United States Air Forces Africa; the command is now designated United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA).
The USAFE emblem employed on this patch is taken from a USAFE Shoulder Sleeve Insignia originally approved on 24 July 1947. The sword in the center of the emblem was taken directly from the insignia of the United States Forces in the European Theater, which was USAFE’s parent command at the time. By placing the sword between nodified “Hap Arnold” wings and the familiar star with red disc, the emblem recalls the organization’s ties to the United States Army Air Force. A flaming sword in an upright position symbolizes willingness and readiness to strike in the defense of the nation should the need arise.
While the Air Force eventually eliminated Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, the decision was later made to retain the insignia the official emblem of record at Headquarters, United States Air Force. Although the Air Force approved the phrase “Vigilance For Freedom” as the USAFE motto on 15 June 19655, for some reason it was never incorporated as part of the emblem.