Make the switch: Research reveals current wing patch in use unauthorized Published Aug. 30, 2011 By Master Sgt. Veronica Aceveda 512th AW Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- During a recent order of new 512th Airlift Wing patches, senior leadership discovered wing members have been using a wing emblem with colors not consistent with what was originally approved by Headquarters Air Force Historical Research Agency in 1993. In comparison, there are two main discrepancies on the wing emblem which can be found on programs and slide shows throughout the wing. One is the banner at the bottom of the shield, where the letters are displayed in black atop a golden scroll. The authentic emblem shows the unit's name in bluebird blue with a white background. The other depicts one of the shades of blues, behind the flight symbol, in an aquamarine-type color versus the ultramarine blue it should be. "I'm not sure when or why different versions of the wing's emblem started being used," said Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th AW commander. "The important thing now is we honor our heraldry and use the correct one." The original and authentic wing emblem can be downloaded from the Public Affairs folders found on the wing's shared drive as well as through the Enterprise Information Management system. According to permanent records on file, the two shades of blue symbolize night and day, indicating the wing's constant preparedness, providing augmentation in the form of aircrews, maintenance and aerial port operations to active military airlift wings. The flight symbol represents the association between active and Reserve forces. The flight symbol with the arrow which represents an aircraft's vapor trail around the globe describes the speed of deployment of the unit's airlift capability. The three stars are also indicative of unit capability. Members are to refrain from using unapproved wing emblems, such as one with an aircraft flying around the shield or the words Dover Air Force Base underneath the emblem.