The U.S. Space Force unveiled its official service flag on Friday in the White House Oval Office.
President Donald Trump discussed the effort to stand up the newest branch of the U.S. military during Friday remarks as he signed a Presidential proclamation honoring Armed Forces Day 2020.
“16,000 space professionals assigned to the Space Force, we’re proud of this flag,” U.S. Space Command Commander Gen. John Raymond said. “They come to work every day focusing on providing space capabilities for our nation, for our joint coalition forces and for the world. We’re proud of this flag. We’re proud to have an opportunity to present it to you here for display in the White House.”
In announcing the flag unfurling, Trump noted the rank of Chief Master Sgt Roger Towberman, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the newly formed military branch.
“I’d like you to say exactly, because his rank is a very special rank,” Trump said.
Towberman acknowledged Trump’s comment that his rank makes him “the highest sergeant by far.” He is the only airman to wear the rank.
Towberman and Raymond then proceeded to unfurl the flag.
“And with that, the Space Force flag is unfurled,” Politico Defense editor Dave Brown tweeted, along with video of the unfurling.
And with that, the Space Force flag is unfurled pic.twitter.com/PIrTMqsBb8
— Dave Brown (@dave_brown24) May 15, 2020
“The delta in the middle, that’s the symbol that space communities use for years and years and years. The North Star signifies our core value, our guiding light, if you will,” Raymond said. “And the orbit around the globe signifies the space capabilities that fuel our American way of life.”
US Space Force CSO GEN Jay Raymond and US Space Force Senior Enlisted Advisor CMSgt Roger Towberman present President Donald J. Trump with the U.S. Space Force Flag Thursday, May 15, 2020, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
The flag also includes the Roman numerals MMXIX, marking the year 2019 when the Space Force was initially funded and brought into official formation.
“Unfurling the new Space Force flag in the Oval,” tweeted Reuters White House correspondent Steve Holland.
Unfurling the new Space Force flag in the Oval pic.twitter.com/PXVOmVQmcy
— Steve Holland (@steveholland1) May 15, 2020
Conservative commentator Sebastian Gorka noted the flag’s thematic similarities to the “Star Trek” Star Fleet emblem.
“It’s official!” Gorka tweeted. “Today in the Oval Office President @realDonaldTrump unveiled the official Service Flag of our newest military service: the United States Space Force.”
It’s official!
Today in the Oval Office President @realDonaldTrump unveiled the official Service Flag of our newest military service: the United States Space Force.
(Just don’t tell @WilliamShatner) pic.twitter.com/QEUfolw5o6
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) May 15, 2020
