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Air Force Trademark and Licensing supports MWR efforts worldwide

  • Published
  • By SSgt DeAndre Curtiss
  • Air Force Public Affairs Agency
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland, Texas --  In an ongoing effort to enhance the quality of life for Airmen and their families, the Air Force Trademark and Licensing office contributed $352,550 to programs managed by the Air Force Personnel Center's Services Directorate.

Air Force Trademark and Licensing, a division of the Air Force Public Affairs Agency tasked with safe guarding official marks of the Air Force, collects royalties for the commercial use of the Air Force Symbol, the Air Force Emblem and other intellectual properties.

Under 10 U.S.C. 2260 and Department of Defense Instruction 5535.12, the military services are authorized to identify, register and license their trademarks, as well as collect royalties for the licensing activity. The funds not used for operational costs go to morale, welfare and recreation activities that support Airmen and their families.

"[The Services Directorate's] primary focus is to enhance the quality of life for our Airmen so they can focus on the mission, and the support from T&L is critical - our Airmen and their families benefit from it," said Elizabeth Horner, the Services Directorate chief of strategic marketing. "For every T&L dollar received, the Directorate of Services is able to buy down operating costs for numerous [MWR] programs centrally developed and managed by the directorate for Air Force personnel worldwide."

Specifically, the T&L support allows for increased funding allocation for centrally developed and managed MWR programs like Cook it Up, One Page at a Time, the Arts and Crafts Gallery, Air Force Hoops and Football Frenzy, which frees up funding for critical MWR construction and renovation projects," said Horner.

"Through the diligent work of our Trademark and Licensing team, we've seen incredible growth in the program in the last five years. That growth has allowed us to provide support to our Airmen stationed around the world through the quality programs run by the Services Directorate," said Larry Clavette, AFPAA Director, citing the 400% increase in the number of businesses licensed to produce Air Force-branded products.

Businesses granted an official Air Force license to manufacture and sell Air Force products range from small start-up companies to corporate giants like Adidas and Cracker Barrel.
"The Air Force brand can be found on thousands of products in the commercial market - from apparel to sporting equipment to home goods," said April Rowden, T&L chief. "By leveraging our brand on these items, we give consumers the opportunity to show their support for our military community."

Consumers are encouraged to look for the "Officially Licensed Product of the United States Air Force" identifier on Air Force-branded products when shopping.
For more information on the Air Force Trademark and Licensing program, visit www.trademark.af.mil.

For information on MWR programs and services offered by the Air Force Personnel Center Services Directorate and supported with non-taxpayer funding for Airmen and their families worldwide, download the free MyAirForceLife mobile app available on both GooglePlay and iTunes stores or visit www.usafservices.com.