HQ RIO unfurls new unit flag

  • Published
  • By MSgt. Timm Huffman
  • HQ RIO Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  When Brig. Gen. Samuel "Bo" Mahaney, commander of the Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center, handed the freshly-minted Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization flag to its commander, Col. Christopher Cronce, Oct. 28, an ancient ritual was playing out, allowing the ranks to see and recognize the colors around which they rally in a time of battle.

Like the origins of the activation ceremony, the story of the HQ RIO flag began long before it was passed to Cronce. It started with the design of the official emblem, which was created by MSgt. Christian Michael, an individual mobilization augmentee assigned to HQ ARPC public affairs.

In a white field between cobalt-blue stripes, a pair of wings sweeps upward from an encircled Air Force star. Between the wings a long-sword comes to a point just above the star. Beneath this representation, three triangles point skyward, completing the HQ RIO emblem.

Each element in the design has a meaning unique to the IR force. The sword represents the well-honed skills the reservist brings to the fight.  The wings represent the Air Force Reserve as a whole, signifying that the member, while an individual, is surrounded by, and part of, a larger Air Force.  The wings are spread from the Air Force star, representing the reservist's allegiance to the total force. Below the Air Force star, three deltas point towards the sky, symbolizing the IMAs, participating individual ready reservists and mobilization assistants/reserve advisors supported by HQ RIO.

When the emblem's design was finalized and approved by the Air Force Historical Research Agency, HQ RIO first sergeant, Master Sgt. Jerrod Kester, began the process of ordering the new flag.

According to Kester, the flag is the focal point of a unit. Historically, flags served an important purpose in battle situations. In the confusion of battle, they helped a soldier keep track of where his unit was, and if things went wrong they were a useful rallying point.

While the original, practical applications of the unit flag have largely faded into the past, the symbolism remains and they continue to serve as a symbol of pride for units.

The process for ordering the flag, which was made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by National Capitol Flag Company, Incorporated, took about 90 days. Using the blueprint Kester provided, the manufacturer created and tested an embroidery design. After corrections, a final test sample was inspected against the blueprint for accuracy and quality. Once approved, the base flag was attached to the machine to begin the embroidery. Following the machine process, the flag underwent a final inspection and the emblem embroidery was touched up by hand before being carefully packed and shipped to HQ RIO.

When the flag was finally delivered to the HQ RIO Command Section, Kester said he felt a variety of emotions.

"Excitement and pride, with the realization I was a part of the creation of a new unit, as well as relief that it arrived on time [for the activation ceremony] and was correct," said the first sergeant.

Now that the HQ RIO flag has been unfurled, it graces the HQ RIO commander's office and is brought out at times when the entire unit is called together, such as commander's calls and promotion ceremonies.

"This flag is truly special," said Cronce. "It's symbolism ties directly to our Individual Reserve force, serving as a great reminder of why this headquarters exists--to facilitate the seamless integration of those IR forces to meet Air Force and combatant commander requirements."