News

History of the Dover Air Force Base tail flash

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  When the aircraft of Dover Air Force Base fly to other bases, one of the most easily identifiable features of the plane is its blue and yellow tail flash. This flash allows it to stand out from other aircraft, showcasing Dover's flying assets.

Today's tail flash has existed for three years, after undergoing a change Oct. 15, 2006. Originally the 436th Military Airlift Wing used a single bright yellow stripe on the tails of their aircraft, letting those on the flight line know that it's a Dover aircraft.

"The year was 1970; the United States Air Force was 22, and the U.S. is hard at work in Vietnam," said John Murphy, 436th Airlift Wing historian. "The planes that flew out of Dover made their way over to the theater, carrying supplies for the troops downrange. Like today, the troops were looking toward these planes to supply what they needed to for their jobs in the field."

Twenty years later Dover Air Force Base planes received a new tail flash. "A blue or red stripe joined the yellow, signifying to the 436th Aircraft Generation Squadron the flight that serviced the aircraft the red 'dragons', or the blue 'wizards'," said Mr. Murphy.

After 16 years of the solid yellow tail flash, a young maintenance Airman suggested that the tail flash get an update. The wing then held a contest for a new design. Once the design was chosen, the process of repainting all the planes during their stay at the Isochronal and Home Station Check inspection began.

"The current design consists of an eagle head, for the 436th Airlift Wing, at the front of a blue stripe, representing the state of Delaware," said Chief Master Sgt. Jon Lynn, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendant. "On the stripe, is the Liberty Bell emblem of the 512th Airlift Wing and a yellow diamond, which symbolizes Delaware's nickname, the Diamond State."

"The flash was designed to represent the various facets of Team Dover and our heritage," said Chief Lynn. "Each symbol represents a part of Team Dover, unified under one cause."