Silver Wings, originally known as Angel Flight, was founded at the University of Omaha as a local auxiliary organization in 1951 and formed as a national organization in 1952. Starting out as an all-female organization, Angel Flight was more of a national idea with various names. While these organizations across the country had different names, they were all focused on helping their local AFROTC unit. In April 1957, representatives from 16 different groups came together at the 8th National Conclave of Arnold Air Society to join their purposes under a National Coordination Headquarters.