US Army Element Allied Forces Northwest Europe
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US ARMY ELEMENT ALLIED FORCES NORTHWEST EUROPE
Official blazon
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Per fess Celeste and Azure a fess wavy of the last (dark blue) bearing a bar wavy Argent overall a lion rampant Gules above a Viking ship of the third garnished of the fourth. Attached below the shield a red scroll inscribed "MARE CAELO TERRAQUE" (Sea, Air and Land) in silver.
Origin/meaning
The Royal Lion taken from the Queen's Colors symbolizes the interwoven link between England and AFNW and the courage and steadfastness of NATO. The Viking ship alludes to the heritage of Northwestern Europe while signifying military preparedness. The shields along side of the ship denote the allied nations represented in this headquarters. The light blue, white and dark blue background represents the tri-service nature of the command. The waves and dark blue represent the Naval forces and ocean area in the region. The light blue sky represents the air components, and the white represents the land elements.
The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 3 September 1996 for wear by US Army personnel. Personnel assigned to the US Army element will wear the shoulder sleeve insignia authorized for Allied Command, Europe.
Literature: Image and Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.