FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Soldiers in the 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group and 597th Maintenance Company are officially in the same "Family."
The two units changed from the Army Forces Command patch to the Air Traffic Services Command patch during a short ceremony at Knox Army Heliport March 4.
Col. Stanley Smith, Warrant Officer Career College commandant, officiated over the transition and placed the first patch on the left arm of Maj. Jack Stewart, 164th TAOG Rear Detachment commander. Smith was part of one of the first units to receive the patch when it was created in 2003.
"This came about in October 2003, when I was a battalion commander with the (1-58th Airfield Operations Battalion) at Fort Bragg, (N.C.)" Smith said. "I had the honor of going through a ceremony just like this one and I got to wear this patch. I think it's the coolest patch the Army has."
Smith went on to explain the symbolism behind the colors and design of the patch before the two units commanders and first sergeants placed them on the left arms of the units' members.
Ultramarine blue and golden orange are the colors traditionally used by Aviation units associated with ATSCOM. The spearhead shape is adapted from the Special Operations Command insignia and refers to the air traffic service's area of tactical missions. It also denotes the forward thrust motion of the Army Aviation assets to operate safely and effectively. The phoenix symbolizes the rebirth of ATS into the command. The terrestrial globe alludes to the worldwide scope of ATS' mission and the sphere of influence of ATSCOM. The lightning flash represents the Army readiness and striking speed of the command's signal background.
Stewart said it was great to finally see ATSCOM under one united symbol.
"This was a big day for us," he said. "It's taken (a while) for this to come to fruition. This is truly air traffic services under one flag."
Smith said the patch was important because it unites everyone in air traffic control and that he was honored to be the one to put the symbol on the arms of the unit members.
"ATS used to be under Signal Command, but this has united everyone under a single command," he said. "Before this patch and ATSCOM came about, every ATS battalion was almost an orphan. Every battalion was out there on its own with no oversight, no leadership that understood air traffic services. This patch unites everybody."
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