These safety devices, typically bright red streamers attached to critical aircraft components like landing gear pins, pitot tubes, and control locks, serve as prominent visual reminders to ground crews. Their removal signifies that a pre-flight check has been completed and the component is safe for flight. They are essential for preventing accidents caused by overlooked safety measures during pre-flight preparations.
Standardization and consistent use of these safety tags contribute significantly to flight safety within military aviation. Their historical development reflects an ongoing commitment to minimizing human error and ensuring operational readiness. The practice likely evolved from simpler tagging systems used in early aviation, eventually leading to the highly visible and standardized tags used today. These tags are crucial for preventing potentially catastrophic accidents that could arise from leaving critical components secured for ground operations during takeoff or flight.