Maryland Wing announces new wing patch
By Lt. Col. Christopher Roche, CAP
Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Maryland Wing
9/25/2014 - GLEN BURNIE, MD - Col. William Parris, commander of the Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol, has introduced a new wing patch to take effect immediately for all members.
Col. Parris stated,"It is with distinct pride that I announce the new Maryland Wing patch which will replace our current circular orange patch effective immediately."
The new patch for Maryland Wing, which has been approved by Civil Air Patrol’s national commander, changes the circular shape to a modified shield to meet the requirements of the U.S. Air Force and will closer resemble the colors of the state of Maryland. The coat of arms and Maryland state flag are
prominent in the new patch. The CAP tri-blade propeller, centered over the Maryland shield, speaks to the history of CAP and the current organizational missions. Col. John Knowles, new Middle East Region commander, began working on the new patch in early 2014 while still sserving as the Maryland Wing
commander and, at the request of Parris, has continued the effort to get it completed.
Knowles has a personal interest in heraldry and is responsible for several of the patches for the wing, including the Maryland Wing Headquarters patch and all three current group patches.
"I’d like to thank Col. Knowles for his endeavors in this upgrade of the Maryland Wing image. His efforts are greatly appreciated," continued Parris.
The new patch will be available from Vanguard Military Supply starting in late October. The patch is authorized for wear on Civil Air Patrol utility uniforms, including the Air Force-style BDU, flight suit and corporate field uniforms, per CAP regulation 39-1. The Maryland Wing supplement is being revised to incorporate the change.
"I realize this requires members to purchase new patches for their uniforms, which is why I am giving the wing three years to make the transition. Maryland Wing will be purchasing the remaining old wing patches from Vanguard, who will begin production on the new patch immediately. Collectors of CAP and
Maryland Wing memorabilia may want to purchase a copy of the old patch for their collections while they are still available," Parris explained.
Members have a three-year transition period to switch to the new patch, with a deadline of 30 September 2017.
Named after the county in which it resides, the Charles Composite Squadron took as its inspiration the motto of the county itself: "Where Eagles Fly." Hence, in the center of the seal is an eagle, complete with the blue Air Force sweater and flight cap.
The eagle is on the move, and carries with him a pair of binoculars and the Maryland flag. Both of these items are in deference to Maryland Airport (2W5), which has so graciously provided the squadron with not only its headquarters but also an active runway.
All of the other colors of the seal are thus taken from the colors of the Maryland flag, in whose wing this squadron serves.
The motto of the squadron is "spatium emendationi semper est," which translates to "there is always room for improvement." This principle has already been at work in guiding the development and eventual chartering of the squadron, and it will continue to guide the squadron as it performs missions for America.
Osprey patch was designed seven years ago by one of my first Cadets, Rob Rollins. The design is a combination of the Osprey bird and Osprey aircraft. The Osprey bird is indigenous to our area and the aircraft is one we like for the many tasks it can perform. Karen Ocampo, a graphic designer, took Rollins' drawing and made it possible to get the patch produced. Our Squadron will be seven years old April 29, 2010.
NOTE: After having relocated the squadron's headquarters, this patch was replaced in May 2010 with a "Dundalk" version instead of "Essex".
Information provided by:
Major Patricia Filipiak, Commander, Osprey Comp Sq
March 9, 2010
The 4" size of the old Group IV Headquarters patch seemed too large for uniform wear, so the new Group 1 Headquarters patch was reduced to a 3" size. All other aspects of that patch remained the same as its predecessor, except the colors in the banner at the bottom were reversed to a black background with gold letters.
At the same time, the other two Group Commanders requested that the same design be used for their Groups. The differences are the gold outline as their part of the state, and the banner colors. The Group II patch is blue with silver letters, while the Group III patch is silver with blue letters - both reflecting the colors of the United States Air Force.
In addition, the Maryland Wing Headquarters Squadron uses the same design concept. The words "Headquarters MDWG" are in black on a gold background, and a star marks the location of the current Wing Headquarters.
All of these patches were designed by Lt Col John M Knowles.
Information provided by:
Lt Col John M Knowles, MDWG Vice Commander
June 27, 2007
Group IV was the first "true" group structure in MDWG that served as the prototype for the current command structure that empowers Group CC and provides them authority and responsibility. In 2005 the Wing boundries for Groups were redrawn and five groups were reduced to three. All the units in Group IV were transferred to Group I and two other squadrons added. The patch was designed by Lt Col John M Knowles.
The symbolism of the patch includes:
Information provided by:
Lt Col John M Knowles, MDWG Vice Commander
June 27, 2007
The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron patch was designed based on the Maryland Wing operating instructions for unit patches that required a round 3" patch in size. The name of the unit is in the outside circle. The "informal" masoct and the name of the newsletter for B-CC was the Bald Eagle. This name was chosen since the bald eagle is the symbol of our nation, and because the founder of B-CC, Captain William R Hicks, was bald! The Bald Eagle sits atop a banner with the unit motto selected by the cadets: "Improvise, adapt, overcome".
Behind the eagle is a triangle reflecting the heritage of our Civil Defence days. The prop/triangle/circle reflect our aircrew missions and the GT/triangle/circle reflect the strong history of ground team service in the squadron. The primary colors are red/white/blue reflecting the nation's colors.
The design of the patch was worked on by Lt Col John M Knowles, Capt Dave Staples, and several squadron cadets.
Information provided by:
Lt Col John M Knowles, Vice Commander, Maryland Wing
June 27, 2007
"The patch or logo as it exists today was principally designed and developed by Anne Culver and Bob Hawkins, with input from a lot of club and squadron members. It should be noted at this point that the design of the current patch was done without the consent or involvement of the Board of Directors of Congressional Flying Club, the staff of Montgomery Senior Squadron (with a couple of exceptions), or the Squadron Commander (Earl Burns). Those in power who were involved were sworn to secrecy and shall remain nameless to protect their reputation if they had any to start with. We selected these co-conspirators for their ability to keep a secret, knowledge of the club, their sense of humor, but primarily for their love of a good practical joke. The entire project (the patch design and production) was done covertly and primarily for the fun of it as so many of the activities of the club are done for the fun and enjoyment of the members. Lastly, the patch was designed to reflect the Squadron and the Flying Club as it had existed for 30 plus years."
"There is considerable tongue in cheek as well as sarcasm in the patch. For example, this is supposed to be a CAP Squadron patch yet the scarf of the dragon contains the letters CFC representing the Congressional Flying Club. The dragon is red because during the 1960s Bob Hawkins wore a red jumpsuit that irritated the Maryland Wing staff to no end. At the time there was no regulation about the color of flight suits so there was little they could do. The portly appearance of the dragon reflects the somewhat sedate lifestyle of many members. The whimsical smile reflects the mutual friendship, comradeship, and occasional practical joke (for which there is a deserved reputation) shared by the members."
"In addition, the radical engine is inappropriate for the aircraft depicted and, of course, the propeller is turning the wrong way. Even the landing gear doesn’t go with the aircraft. At one point during the design period, the ubiquitous caricature of Kilroy was looking from the cockpit. If that wasn’t enough, the original draft designs had a beer mug or wine glass in one hand, and a six pack in the other. It was decided that this wouldn’t fly (pun intended) so it was changed to a wrench to depict the maintenance activities of the club while the binoculars represented our commitment and involvement in search and rescue activities."
"Needless to say, everyone had a lot of fun designing the patch and it has come to symbolize the squadron and is recognized by all of the squadrons in Maryland Wing and many squadrons and pilots in nearby areas. This recognition comes from the fact that the patch is unusual and a bit defiant, which effectively reflects the squadron and its attitude through the years. It is a fact that the more people you ask regarding the history of the patch the more diverse answers you are likely to get."
"As a matter of fact, I’m not even sure you should trust this explanation!"
Information provided by:
Robert J Hawkins
March 1997
"N3933Q" was the registration number of the squadron's Cessna T-41B Mescalero, the US Army model of the civilian 172L. On July 16, 1986 and shortly after the patches were manufactured, the aircraft was involved in a forced landing which damaged it beyond repair. Use of the patch was discontinued after that.
Information provided by:
Col Bill Schell Jr, National Headquarters
2008
MD-001 Maryland Wing Headquarters Squadron Wing Glen Burnie MD-002 Hyde Field Senior Squadron Grp 3 Clinton MD-003 Frederick Composite Squadron Grp 1 Frederick MD-004 Hagerstown Composite Squadron Grp 1 Hagerstown MD-007 Prince Frederick Cadet Squadron Grp 3 Prince Frederick Deactivated MD-007 Calvert Cadet Squadron Grp 3 Prince Frederick MD-008 Harford Composite Squadron Grp 2 Bel Air 18011 Prince Georges Composite Squadron Grp 3 College Park Deactivated MD-011 College Park Composite Squadron Grp 3 College Park MD-013 Towson Composite Squadron Grp 2 Towson 18014 White Marsh Composite Squadron Grp 2 Perry Hall Deactivated 18018 Catonsville Composite Squadron Grp 1 Catonsville Deactivated 18021 Middle River Composite Squadron Grp 2 Middle River Deactivated MD-022 Osprey Composite Squadron Grp 2 Essex 18023 Glen Burnie Composite Squadron Grp 1 Glen Burnie Deactivated MD-023 Arundel Composite Squadron Grp 3 Glen Burnie 18026 Gunpowder Composite Squadron Grp 2 Fork Deactivated MD-028 Annapolis Composite Squadron Grp 3 Edgewater MD-031 Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron Grp 2 Middle River MD-038 Howard Composite Squadron Grp 1 Laurel MD-039 Carroll Composite Squadron Grp 2 Westminster 18044 Northwest Composite Squadron Grp 2 Randallstown Deactivated 18049 Lanham Composite Squadron Grp 3 Lanham Deactivated MD-052 Bowie Composite Squadron Grp 3 Bowie MD-065 Cumberland Composite Squadron Grp 1 Wiley Ford, WV 18069 Linthicum Cadet Squadron Grp 1 Linthicum Deactivated MD-071 Bethesda - Chevy Chase Composite Sq Grp 1 Gaithersburg 18072 Rosedale Composite Squadron Grp 2 Rosedale Deactivated MD-073 Montgomery Senior Squadron Grp 1 Gaithersburg 18075 Peninsular Composite Squadron Grp 4 Ocean City Deactivated 18077 Reisterstown Composite Squadron Grp 2 Reisterstown Deactivated MD-079 Easton Composite Squadron Grp 2 Easton MD-085 Apollo 1 Composite Squadron Grp 3 Fort Meade MD-086 Wicomico Composite Squadron Grp 2 Salisbury 18088 Salisbury Composite Squadron Grp 4 Salisbury Deactivated MD-089 St. Mary's Composite Squadron Grp 3 California 18090 Indian Head Composite Squadron Grp 3 Indian Head Deactivated MD-091 Mount Airy Composite Squadron Grp 1 Mount Airy 18092 Francis M. Wood Cadet Squadron Grp 2 Baltimore Deactivated MD-095 Emmitsburg-Liberty Flight Grp 4 Emmitsburg Deactivated MD-096 Chesapeake Bay Senior Squadron Grp 1 Bethesda MD-140 Fort McHenry Composite Squadron Grp 2 Catonsville MD-332 Upper Montgomery Composite Squadron Grp 1 Germantown MD-801 Parkland Cadet Squadron Grp 1 Rockville MD-802 Spring Ridge Middle School Cadet Sq Grp 3 Lexington Park 18??? Chesapeake Composite Squadron Grp 2 Baltimore Deactivated 18??? Phoenix Composite Squadron Grp 2 Jacksonville Deactivated 18??? Queen Anne's County Squadron Grp 4 Centreville Deactivated 18??? Tolchester Composite Squadron Grp 4 Chestertown Deactivated
Information compiled:
November 7, 2010