480th Fighter Squadron

Emblem

Description

On a disc Argent, a pile issuant from sinister Gules, thereon another pile Argent (Silver Gray), edged at the bottom Azure, surmounted by a head of a stylized warhawk erased Sable, beaked Or, highlighted and eyed of the first, garnished of the second, all within a narrow bordure Red.

Attached above the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Red border and inscribed “ESCADRILLE TO WARHAWKS” in Red letters.

Attached below the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Red border and inscribed “480TH FIGHTER SQ” in Red letters.

Symbolism

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors.  Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations.  Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel.  The warhawk represents the fierceness and skill of the Squadron’s pilots, as well as signifying the Squadron’s origins and reputation for blazing courage and determination in battle.  The shock wave represents the high performance aircraft flown by the unit and its scarlet color represents the Squadron’s Vietnam heritage as embodied in Medal of Honor recipient Lance Sijan.  The unit motto, “ESCADRILLE TO WARHAWKS,” represents the unit’s illustrious history spanning from the earliest days of America’s Expeditionary  Airmen in combat aviation to the overwhelming display of U.S. air power in Operation Desert Storm.