Airman's design selected as official JBER logo Published June 2, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross 3rd Wing Public Affairs ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson has just become more official with the JBER logo. A few months ago, an e-mail was sent out with a request for servicemembers to provide logo ideas and concepts. Master Sgt. Everett Johnson, a member of the Alaska Air National Guard from the Joint Forces Headquarters, presently augmenting the 3rd Security Forces Squadron as the Command Support Staff manager, and Airman 1st Class Mariko Thomas, 3rd SFS base access technician, answered the call and several rough drafts later their JBER logo was chosen. The original design and concept was planned out by Sergeant Johnson. Once he finished planning it out, Sergeant Johnson said he gave the initial concept layout to Airman Thomas so she could give it the artists' rendering it needed. Sergeant Johnson chose Airman Thomas because he recalled the work she did for the 3rd SFS Wingman Day logo in 2008. Airman Thomas broke the logo down piece by piece. She said since the base and post are located in Alaska the mountain in the background represents Mount McKinley, the largest mountain in North America, and the stars represent the Alaska state flag. She also described how the eagle represents our national bird. To symbolize Elmendorf, Senior Master Sgt. Allen Markle, 673rd Joint Base Wing Provisional Elmendorf-Richardson Enterprise Team, suggested the F-22s and the C-17s be placed in the background displaying Elmendorf's new mission. To symbolize Fort Richardson, they used the paratroopers (Fort Richardson's airborne unit) and a soldier in "arctic whites" to represent the arctic environment in Alaska. This wasn't the only brainstorm that they came up with. In the original drawing, there was a Spartan helmet to represent Fort Richardson's main Army brigade. A bear was also included to represent JBER. A final decision was made and nearly 10 rough drafts later the official logo for JBER was established. Airman Thomas said she has been creating art most of her life. She was thrilled to find out that her drawing had gone to such a high headquarters and was approved at the beginning of May by Col. Jeffrey Vinger, 673rd Joint Base Wing Provisional Commander. Airman Thomas has entered various art competitions throughout her life and has won several awards. She said that her JBER logo being approved is one of her highest achievements yet. "I am excited," AirmanThomas said about her design being chosen as the first official JBER logo. "It's a privilege to (say) I drew that." The logo will be used for brochures and other marketing material throughout the joint base.