Arnold Air Society

Arnold Air Society Overview

For those who may be unaware, Arnold Air Society is an honorary service organization that focuses on professional development and leadership. Formerly a fraternal organization, Arnold Air Society is currently open to all 100 and 200 year cadets of the AFROTC who would wish to apply. These applicants are known as candidates and must complete Candidate Class in order to become an Active Member of Arnold Air Society.

 

Det 160 Arnold Air Society Rock

AAS Flight Illustration: At the end of Candidate Class, candidates are required to paint the front face of the rock to signify their initiation into this program of excellence. While the candidates decide what the illustration depicts, most choose to represent the flight by painting their flight name, insignia, and slogan on the rock. Through this display, we hope to encourage interested cadets to participate in Arnold Air Society.

AAS Flight Names: On the back of the rock is a list of flight names for previous candidate classes. As of 2023, there are a total of 36 flights that graduated as active members. Each flight represents a group of cadets that exhibited the necessary endurance to push themselves further each week, and ultimately complete the challenging obstacles set in front of them.

POW-MIA: The right side of the rock displays the POW-MIA flag. With this flag, we represent the brave soldiers that are currently unaccounted for throughout the many wars/missions the United States has fought in. On the POW/MIA website, their mission statement explains that “The National League of POW/MIA Families, incorporated on May 28, 1970, was formed to obtain the release of all prisoners, the fullest possible accounting for the missing and repatriation of all recoverable remains of those who died serving our nation during the Vietnam War.” This message has since expanded to those who currently serve or served across the world. For Detachment 160, we honor Retired Colonel Leon F. Ellis, a UGA alum and previous POW for 5 years, by naming the squadron after him.

Flower Representation of the AAS Colors: Around the rock are groups of plants representing the AAS Colors that this organization holds dearly. The significance of these colors is explained as follows: “Gold wings signify courage. White signifies purity. Red stands for the blood shed by American fighting men. Blue symbolizes the sky we fly in.”