The winged dagger of Air Force Special Operations Command will adorn the helmets of Air Force football when it takes on Navy this fall, the latest in a series of uniforms honoring key moments and organizations in the history of airpower.
The famed emblem of AFSOC, in use for more than 30 years, is one element on the dark gray uniforms that will honor the contributions of Air Commandos when the Falcons and the Midshipmen face off in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Oct. 5.
The front of the helmet will feature the words “First There,” the motto of AFSOC combat controllers who deploy into hostile or enemy territory to establish airfields and coordinate air traffic, fires, and more.
The back of the helmet will have a bumper with either “Any Place,” “Any Time,” or “Anywhere,” the three elements of AFSOC’s motto. Just above that will be a sticker with the lightning bolt, green feet, and dagger emblem associated with the special tactics community.
Instead of the players’ names on the back, the jerseys will all read “AFSOC.” On one sleeve, players will have one of three badges—those of special tactics officer, combat controller, or special reconnaissance.
On the pants, one leg will feature the “First There” motto again, while the other will have a dagger as the symbol for AFSOC.
The uniforms also feature scarlet accents throughout, a nod to combat controllers’ distinctive berets.
The Air Force Academy has worn special uniforms for its rivalry games for nine years in a row now, calling it the “Air Power Legacy Series.” The series has proven popular, regularly drawing headlines across the internet.
Previous examples include:
- 2023: Doolittle Raiders
- 2022: Space Force
- 2021: B-52 Stratofortress and Operation Linebacker II
- 2020: Tuskegee Airmen
- 2019: C-17 Globemaster III
- 2018: AC-130 Spooky
- 2017: F-35 Lightning II
- 2016: Tiger Shark Teeth nose art
Army and Navy have also sported numerous alternate uniforms in the past decade, commemorating memorable operations, campaigns, units, and more.