HQ RIO Public Affairs
11/13/2014 - 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 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 Col. Christopher Cronce. It started with the design of the official emblem, which was created by Master Sgt. 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 unique meaning. 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 flag was produced in abot 90 days by the National Capitol Flag Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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."
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