In September, 2005, the design and development of a new badge for wear by Air Force personnel assigned to Headquarter Air Force staff in Washington, D.C was approved by Air Force Chief of Staff General T. Michael Moseley. It was introduced in May, 2006, and became available at Air Force exchanges and other military stores the following month.
Recalling the birth of the modern Air Force as it transitioned from being the United States Army Air Forces, the badge is surmounted by the U.S. Army Air Corps insignia of a star with a red circle in the center (the circle was removed in early 1942 from aircraft insignia in order to avoid possible confusion with the Japanese rising sun insignia). In the center is an American bald eagle—a longtime symbol of the United States that was appropriately used as a representation of air power—clutching an olive branch in one talon and a bundle of 13 arrows in the other. The Air Force shield is superimposed over the eagle’s breast.
The badge is encircled by a victory wreath, and in the eagle’s beak is a streamer with the Latin phrase “E pluribus unum,” which means “Out of many, one” and is a reference to nation’s founding from the 13 original colonies.
Airmen must be currently assigned to Headquarters Air Force (or have been assigned to a qualifying position) for at least one full year before they are authorized to wear the badge. Wear of the badge is optional for those who meet those requirements.