Taken from a press release:
"The 2,000 members of Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) Virginia Wing (VAWG) can now proudly wear a new patch on their sleeves. Colonel Dean Gould, the wing’s commander, announced the final approved patch last night. All members have five years to transition their uniforms to the new patch."
"Col. Gould, who assumed command of VAWG in 2017, endeavored that during his command the patch would be updated. He commented, “It was important to keep our historical past in our patch, so with the new patch we adjusted it to the updated United States Air Force shield format which is similar to headquarters patches across the Air Force.” The patch focuses on VAWG’s primary mission of serving the Commonwealth of Virginia with the outline of the state on the patch. The colors match the same red and blue colors used across all of CAP. The shield format represents an organization that is flag bearing of which 22 different units fall under the command of VAWG. The outgoing patch dates back to the wing’s first commander and is a key symbol of VAWG which is quickly recognizable and used in nearly all publications, websites, and social media related to the wing."
Information provided by:
Excerpt from a VAWG press release
March 24, 2021
"It was designed by Cadet Airman Nathan Watkins of our squadron. I am the Squadron Commander for the unit and Colonel David Carter is the Wing Commander who approved the patch in June of this year."
"I’m told the "Black sheep" moniker dates back to the early 1970’s when the squadron, unable to gain financing through CAP, bought a aircraft with their own funds. They painted it in the CAP color scheme and promptly bent the plane so it was no longer usable. No one was injured, thankfully. Because the squadron went outside the norm to source the aircraft they became known as the Black Sheep squadron."
"In honor of those CAP members who helped (unintentionally) find a name for the squadron we have placed a black sheep at the center of our tri-prop. The tri-prop represents the CAP’s three core missions, Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education and Emergency Services. The spinning prop represents our constant motion to improve ourselves and the communities in which we live."
Information provided by:
Capt Christopher Colvin, VA-040 Commander
October 28, 2010
The essential design of the Prince William Composite Squadron crest emulates a royal coat of arms. Adopting this style pays tribute to the unit's namesake, Prince William, the Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765) and to the county in Virginia named for him which is the unit's home. The depiction of a knight's helmet in the lower sector of the crest reminds us of a heritage of chivalry.
The central feature of the crest is the chevron. Deviding the crest into sectors, it resembles an arrow pointing skyward, and symbolizes the unit's continuing efforts toward betterment. The checkered pattern of the chevron is reminiscent of the checkered flag marking the end of a race for a triumphant competitor. As a competitive spirit is the cornerstone of Prince William's strategy for achievement, this pattern is very significant.
Three start adorn the upper sector of the crest. These, of course, symbolize the three missions of Civil Air Patrol: Aerospace Education, the Cadet Program, and Emergency Services. The combination of the chevron and the stars captures the essence of the unit's adopted motto: "Ad Astra Per Aspera". Translated from Latin, this means: "To The Stars We Aspire". Our motto indicates the high standards expected of Prince William's members.
The stars also reflect Prince William's commitment to excellence in all three endeavors. They are patterned after the ancient mariner's compass rose in the hope that we may never lose our way in the arduous journey toward these lofty goals.
The squadron crest was designed by former Squadron Commander, Lt Col B.T. Marking, and was approved for use as a squadron patch by the Virginia Wing uniform committee on May 5, 1989."
Information provided by:
1st Lt Al Jaques
January 1996
Information provided by:
Burke Composite Squadron
HERALDRY OF VA-140 SQUADRON INSIGNIA
SHAPE: A disc-shaped field with upper and lower rockers
DESCRIPTION: Within the field, a Cessna 172 flies over the Norris Bridge and the Rappahannock River valley at sunrise, with the aircraft, the bridge, and hills in the background silhouetted by the morning sun. The text "CIVIL AIR PATROL" is located in the upper rocker, the text "HUMMEL FIELD COMPOSITE SQUADRON" is located in the lower rocker, and the text "VA 140" is located at the bottom of the field.
SYMBOLISM OF DESIGN ELEMENTS:
(a) Cessna 172: This aircraft type is most commonly used during flight operations by the squadron, and is representative of both senior squadron members, who fly the 172 in Emergency Services missions, and cadet squadron members, who learn about aviation through orientation flights in the 172.
(b) Norris Bridge and Rappahannock River: The Norris Bridge is less than one mile from Hummel Field, where VA 140 Is located, and is symbolic of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck regions of Virginia, which squadron members are proud to call home. The bridge also brings together two areas which were geographically isolated prior to its construction, in much the same way that squadron members serving as civilians within the auxiliary of the United States Air Force serve as a virtual ‘bridge’ between the civilian members of our community and the military that exists to protect and defend them.
SYMBOLISM OF DESIGN COLORS:
(a) Upper and lower rockers: The upper and lower rockers are red, which is symbolic of Civil Air Patrol as a whole. Red is the central color of the CAP emblem, where it is found as a red three-bladed propeller which itself is symbolic of the three primary missions of CAP -- Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, and Emergency Services.
(b) Morning sky and all text except "VA 140": The morning sky and the text "CIVIL AIR PATROL" and "HUMMEL FIELD COMPOSITE SQUADRON" are gold in color. This color symbolizes excellence, and reminds every squadron member that our goal as Civil Air Patrol members should be to excel in all our activities.
(c) Rappahannock River: The river shall, as nearly as possible, be rendered in the following shade of blue -- Pantone 287 or CMYK (Cyan 100, Magenta 69, Yellow 01, Black 11.5) or RGB (Red 0, Green 48, Blue 143). This is the official color for display of the Unites States Air Force Symbol when it is displayed in blue. This color, and the color of the text "VA 140" (see below) together are symbolic of the United States Air Force, of which the Hummel Field Composite Squadron is a part.
(d) Text "VA 140": This text shall, as nearly as possible, be rendered in the following shade of grey -- Pantone Cool Grey 7 or CMYK (Cyan 0, Magenta 0, Yellow 0, Black 50) or RGB (Red 166, Green 166, Blue 168). This is the official color for display of the United States Air Force Symbol when it is displayed in grey, and is also symbolic of the Air Force.
(e) Norris Bridge and Cessna 172: The bridge and aircraft are black. Black is the absence of color. This serves to remind squadron members that the outcome of our endeavors is up to us. The absence of color of the aircraft and bridge, as well as the hills in the background, symbolizes the fact that, on the ground and in the air, our actions will ultimately ‘fill in’ the result.
The patch was designed by squadron member, 2d Lt Robert C Moyer. The Deputy Squadron Commander, Lt Col Bert Jones, accepted the design on behalf of the Squadron Commander, Maj Francis Bernhardt, while he was away on a medical absence. Col Eric R Litt, Virginia Wing Commander, approved the design for wear in November 2008
Information provided by:
2d Lt Robert C Moyer, VA-140
January 13, 2009