Almost universally referred to as “Hap Arnold wings” and called simply the “wing and star design” in Air Force uniform regulations, this emblem was used by the Army Air Corps and is designated as the “legacy brand” of the United States Air Force. Indeed, the symbol has become even more “official” than when it was used ubiquitously throughout the Air Force for decades because the Air Force never had an official symbol; today, the Hap Arnold wings are not only called the service’s legacy brand, they’re also trademarked as such.
The Air Force expended considerable time, thought, and money in creating a replacement for this classic design, first spending roughly $150,000 on researching the “understanding and beliefs held about the Air Force” by internal and external audience, then paid a “corporate identity firm” about $650,000 to interpret the finding and assist in creating a design that would accurately convey the Air Force’s intended identity.
In 2004, the Air Force introduced the new symbol and was pleased with the reception. But that doesn’t mean the Hap Arnold wings were on their way out. They’re still authorized for use on buttons, cuff links, and shirt studs, and variations of the design can be found in the seals of various Major Commands, Direct Reporting Units, and Field Operating Agencies.