Miscellaneous The blackened Air Force emblem was introduced in the 1980s with a red background for air defense anti-aircraft fighters, special units fighters, and air support personnel.

The blackened beret emblem on uniform A

The official beret emblem of the Air Force on uniform A is a silver emblem (light metal). However, there are “blackened” or dark versions that have come into use in various contexts:

The use of blackened emblems and a red background in the IDF, and in particular in the Air Force, is related to the processes of professionalization and branding of the combat units over the years: The use of blackened emblems and a red background among Air Force fighters has been consolidated over the years as part of the branding processes and recognition of the fighter’s status in these formations:

The transition to blackened (Low Visibility) insignia in the IDF has begun widely for field and special units.

• Special Forces: In the Air Force’s special units (such as Shaldag and 669), the use of blackened insignia has become standard in recent decades as part of the acquisition of modern equipment. Blackened (Low Visibility) insignia is the standard among all combat units in the Air Force.

Fighters in special units (such as the Shaldag and 669) began using blackened beret pins (as opposed to the standard corps insignia) as part of the equipment and internal clothing changes that developed to create differentiation and secrecy.

• Air Defense Formation: Fighters in the formation wear the Air Force insignia on their berets. The standard Air Force beret insignia is silver/light metal. “Blackened” versions have come into wider use in the last decade.

The red background under the emblem (red background)

Placing a red background (red alone) under the beret emblem in the IDF usually symbolizes frontline fighters or units with a special offensive/operational nature.

• Air Defense Formation: IDF fighters began wearing the red background under the Air Force emblem on their berets in the 1980s. The move was made as part of a broader reform designed to strengthen the warrior identity of technological system operators. The red background serves as a hallmark of the warrior status in the formation, which now operates systems such as “Iron Dome”, “David’s Sling”, “Arrow” and more.

Special Forces: In units such as the Shaldag and 669, the red background under the Air Force emblem on the beret (or under the unit pin) has been traditionally used for decades, in accordance with the tradition of the IDF’s elite units that emphasize the operational warrior’s status. And to indicate the warrior’s status as part of their definition as sharpshooters, similar to other elite units in the IDF (such as Sayeret Matkal or Commandos).