Greenville Composite Squadron has a new official emblem.
The squadron has received final approval from South Carolina Wing Commander Col Lee Safley, based upon the recommendation of Civil Air Patrol Heraldry Program Manager Lt Col Philip Kost, to implement the redesigned emblem. It will replace the squadron's previous long-established emblem on decals and uniform patches. The new design will be phased in over the coming months.
Based on current US Air Force heraldry standards, the new emblem is in the form of a disc rather than the previous shield format. The latter is now reserved for group-level units and above.
The prominent griffin is a legendary chimeric creature with the body, tail and back legs of a lion, the head and wings of an eagle, and an eagle's talons as its forepaws. The lion has traditionally been considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of birds. By the Middle Ages the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature, combining the bravery of the lion with the power and nobility of the eagle.
In heraldry, the griffin's amalgamation of lion and eagle represent courage and boldness. The features of the animal denote a combination of strength, intelligence and leadership.
In the eagle's talons is a lightning bolt, symbolizing swiftness and power. It is also commonly used to represent communications, an important aspect of all CAP operations.
The disc is framed by two "rockers," one bearing the squadron name and the other bearing the squadron motto, "Leading By Example."
The diagonal sash, or "bend," is a traditional heraldic ordinary signifying defense or protection. It is a bearing of high honor.
The emblem is completed with the addition of the Civil Air Patrol logo, to indicate the relationship between the squadron and its national organization.
Graphic at right by Rock Cowles of Kowulz Design, Boiling Springs, SC.
Information provided by:
Greenville Composite Squadron Facebook Page
November 20, 2018
Explanation of the Sumter Composite Squadron Emblem
Although the Civil Air Patrol does not have an official regulation for designing a squadron patch, the Sumter Composite Squadron tried to follow Air Force Instruction 84-105 for their design.
The purpose of Air Force heraldry is because organizations need visible symbols in the form of emblems to promote esprit de corps, moral, and a sense of heritage. For Wing and Group level, most patches are displayed as the shield, but for squadron patches, they should be displayed on a disk.
Air Force colors should be used when possible and no more than eight to include Black and White.
The border of our emblem is Air Force yellow, because yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Civil Air Patrol personnel.
The Air Force aquamarine blue background alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Civil Air Patrol operations.
Unit designations should be put on a scroll at the bottom of the disk, ours is the "Sumter Composite Squadron".
The red background in the scroll area represents the hardiness of our members.
The border of the disc and scroll are the same color as the letters on the scroll.
A unit with a motto must have two scrolls. The unit’s motto goes in a scroll above the disc.
The red background in this scroll represents the valor of our members. Our squadrons’ motto is "Virtus Invicta Gloriosa" which means "Unconquered Virtue is Glorious".
Oldest know use (according to Burke’s General Armory) (c.1154-1189) possibly used by King Henry II.
Definition of "virtue" is the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong (Integrity).
Any admirable quality or attribute (I.E. hard worker)(Volunteer Service).
A particular moral excellence (Excellence), courage, and valor (Respect).
In one word we can sum up all of our core values, Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence and Respect.
The gold divider separates the field into two areas, upper and lower. This has several meaning in Civil Air Patrol. This shows that we are a Cadet Squadron on the bottom and a Senior Member Squadron on the top linked together into a Composite Squadron for a common goal. One of those common goals is Emergency Services, the Ground team is represented on the bottom and the Air team is represented on the top and they are linked together as one Search and Rescue team. For Aerospace the bottom field represents our ability to control the Air, the top field represents our ability to control Space, together they are linked together to create our Air and Space Force.
We must not forget who we are, The Civil Air Patrol. Our symbol comes from the original Civil Defense triangle during WWII. The three bladed prop came from the special function of CAP (the flying mission). Today it has come to represent the three functions of Civil Air Patrol - Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education and Emergency Services.
Colored in white to represent purity and innocence is the state of South Carolina. This is to proudly display that we are part of the Mid East Region and the South Carolina Wing of Civil Air Patrol.
"And a star shall guide them." The golden star represents the city of Sumter and the Sumter Composite Squadron. It is a symbol of our community, state and nation. The star also represents that we are the center of the world and the heart of the universe.
Wings have long been a tradition of the Civil Air Patrol (Aerospace), but these wings are special.
These are the wings of Virtue (The fifth of the nine orders of Angels) The Angel assigned to protect human beings. (I.E. Guardian Angels) (Acts 12:6-10)
Guardian Angels are involved with the smallest concerns of children. (Matthew 18:10)(Cadet Programs)
In times of peril, Guardian Angels are sent to rescue us. (2 Kings 6:13-17) (Emergency Services)
As members of Civil Air Patrol, we become the Guardian Angles of our Community, State and Nation.
As a final touch, our squadrons number "SC-075" covering the state of South Carolina to show that we are willing to reach out to the rest of the Wing if and when we are ever needed.
"The Sumter Composite Squadron official patch was authorized on November 11, 2008, by the South Carolina Wing Commander, Colonel Emerson Smith. A squadron patch had been considered for years, and for the last year the entire squadron got involved to make it happen. Thanks goes out to everyone that was part of this historic landmark."
Information provided by:
2nd Lt Glenn D Booker, and
Capt Larry K Nelson, SC-075 Commander
February 06, 2009
In 2008 I was asked to take over the Columbia Composite Squadron based on the fact that it was facing deactivation. I actually first commanded the squadron in 1986 when it was in Ft Jackson, SC.
I came up with the basic design based upon a previous attempt to make a patch. It involved and eagle and the background colors were blue, silver and black.
My son Matt is a graphic designer and I showed him the previous drawing and then told him how I would like the patch to look. The prop is for the three missions of CAP, the Eagle stands for our dedication and service to our country and as the great bird of our country.
He took it from there and came up with the logo which was used for the squadron patch. The patch was approved by the SC Wing Commander, Col A Emerson Smith, circa October 2008.
Information provided by:
Lt Col Tom Alsup, Commander, Columbia Composite Squadron