UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

POSITIONAL COLORS & RANK FLAGS

Positional colors for senior officials and officers of the US Air Force follow the standard pattern of the military departments. The colors are made of heavyweight rayon banner cloth; dimensions are 4 feet 4 inches at the hoist by 5 feet 6 inches on the fly plus 2 1/2-inch fringe. In the center of all colors is the coat of arms of the Air Force, minus the scroll. The civilian secretaries have stars in the corners of their colors, while the Chief and Vice Chief of Staff have stars placed horizontally. Field and star colors are white or ultramarine blue. The fringe is yellow except for colors of undersecretaries, which have ultramarine blue fringe. General officers of the US Air Force are authorized to display individual flags of rank. Designs are as follows: All rank flags have an ultramarine blue field with white stars and yellow fringe. For a General of the Air Force, the flag's dimensions are 4 feet 4 inches at the hoist by 5 feet 6 inches on the fly plus 2 1/2-inch fringe. For all other generals, dimensions are 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly plus 2 1/2-inch fringe. Fringed rank flags for indoor display and parade use are made of heavyweight rayon banner cloth. Outdoor versions without fringe, known as command flags, are also authorized. These have the same dimensions as the fringed flags and are made of wool or wool/nylon bunting. The command flag is displayed outside a headquarters building only when the general is personally present. General officers are issued the appropriate fringed rank flag and a corresponding National Color. These flags become the general's personal property and are authorized for retention by the individual upon promotion to the next higher grade or retirement from active duty. Command flags are unit property and are not authorized for retention by individuals. Except for their ultramarine blue field color, US Air Force rank flags for general officers are identical to those of the US Army. Since there is now no active or retired officer in the rank of General of the Air Force, flags for this rank, though described in regulations, are not actually in use. Fringed positional colors and rank flags are always carried or displayed with a National Color of identical dimensions. Note on the Music:  Senior government officials, including those of the Department of the Air Force, are entitled to musical honors on occasions of ceremony: four ruffles and flourishes followed by the grandioso (last 32 bars) of "The Stars and Stripes Forever."  General officers of the Air Force, including the Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff, receive from one to four ruffles and flourishes according to rank (one per star; a full General and a General of the Air Force both receive four). When a full band is present, ruffles and flourishes are followed by the "General's March." On this page, the Army Ceremonial Band sounds honors for general officers (open in new tab). Images Added September 2013 Command Flags, Lieutenant General & Brigadier General