Supremacy.  The dictionary's definition reads in part , "Domination.  Power to dominate or defeat absolutely".  The old adage with aerial combat was Air Superiority.  In a time of conflict the mission of the American Airmen was to guarantee that we had more planes in the air than our enemies...achieving Air Superiority.  Well, as the decades passed our air warriors, from the air crews to the pilots to the designers to the support personnel, went a step further.  They succeeded beyond anyone's wildest dreams.  We now not only have the capacity to put more planes in the air but also our aircraft are, by far, the finest in the world.  Air Superiority is a dated concept.  Today we have achieved Air supremacy!  Absolute domination of the skies.  Our enemies are now acutely aware that in a fight with the USAF there's one simple universally applied rule...YOU FLY, YOU DIE!
 
Air Supremacy was achieved through the countless efforts and sacrifice of heroes that have gone before us.  The front design is centered with the Air Force Cross-the highest decoration that can be awarded for valor-save the Medal of Honor.  The Air Force Cross represents the courage and valor of thousands of air warriors.  On the top front of the design are the Latin words VIRTUS APPRIME which are dusted into the background.  These words mean COURAGE ABOVE ALL, which is what the USAF has exemplified throughout its short but illustrious history.