Description:
The Iowa Wing emblem contains three elements. The first element is a solid white hawk positioned in the nombril point of the disc. The hawk is positioned with its wings in a "V" shape with its tips at the dexter chief and sinister chief locations. The hawk is facing sinister. The second element, located at the middle base position and within the hawk’s talons, is a green and yellow ear of corn. The third element is the word "IOWA" written in red and located at the chief position. Surrounding the three elements is a thin white circle. The background is Air Force blue.
Significance:
The white hawk represents the state’s nickname: The Hawkeye State. This nickname was chosen as a tribute to the Native American leader, Chief Black Hawk. The hawk is reversed as the patch was designed to be worn on the right shoulder (1949). When the CAP emblem was removed from the uniform’s left shoulder and wing patches moved to the left shoulder, the hawk was never reversed. The shape of the hawk’s wings (a Vshape) is to represent "Victory" in World War II. The ear of corn represents the state as the "The Corn State".
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014
Description:
The Des Moines Composite Squadron emblem is a shield design composed of three elements. When the emblem was created, the Civil Air Patrol never officially adopted USAF heraldry rules and thus squadrons could use shield or disc designs. In the scroll is the unit name "DES MOINES COMPOSITE SQ" written in blue with a yellow background. The emblem border is black. The first element is the Civil Air Patrol emblem in the sinister chief position superimposed on a USAF blue background. This emblem contains the red tri-prop design and white triangle created during the 1940s. The second element is a downward facing yellow lightning bolt arranged from the dexter chief position to the sinister base position. The third element is a red and whitecheckered background.
Significance:
The red tri-prop and white triangle represent the Civil Air Patrol emblem designed during the 1940s from the Office of Civilian Defense emblem. The USAF blue represents the connection with the US Air Force and the sky. The lightning bolt represents the use of technology for search and rescue operations. The red and white checkering was a play on a local incident that became a squadron tradition in the early 1990s. The story is that a CAP member had bought a red and white scarf to wear with the flight suit. During this time, the Des Moines Air National Guard unit wore a red and gold scarf. Since this incident, the red and white checkering became a symbol of the unit. The remaining designs of the emblem hold no symbolic reference according to the designer. They shape and design was chosen based on esthetic design.
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014
Description:
The Black Hawk Composite Squadron emblem is a "modified" shield design composed of three elements. When the emblem was created, the Civil Air Patrol never officially adopted USAF heraldry rules and thus squadrons could use shield or disc designs. The emblem border is USAF blue. The scroll contains a white background with the unit’s name "BLACK HAWK" in black letters. The background of the shield is yellow. The first element is the Civil Air Patrol emblem located at the fess point. This emblem contains a white triangle with a red-tri prop. A blue disc circumscribes the white triangle. The CAP emblem is superimposed onto the second element, a white hawk feather with black veins. The feather’s shaft starts at the dexter base with the rachis ending in the sinister chief position. The third element, "SQUADRON 4", is written in black letters at the chief position.
Significance:
The blue border represents the connection to the USAF and the sky. The name "Black Hawk" represents the Iowa County that the squadron resided in. This was a memorial to Chief Black Hawk whose tribal land was in eastern Iowa and died in what is now Iowa. The white and black feather, which is supposed to be a hawk feather, is also to represent Chief Black Hawk. The yellow in the background was chosen for its brightness and holds no heraldic significance. The blue disc, white triangle, and red propeller represent the historical CAP emblem. Squadron 4 is due to the charter number 13004.
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014
Description:
The emblem is a shield design composed of four elements. When the emblem was created, the Civil Air Patrol never officially adopted USAF heraldry rules and thus squadrons could use shield or disc designs. The border of the shield is USAF yellow. The scroll has a white background and "13041 AIR RESCUE & RECOVERY" written in red letters. The shield is divided into quarters going from chief to base and sinister to dexter. The dexter chief quarter contains a yellow background with a white "angel" wing. The sinister chief quarter contains a white background with a yellow radio antenna with four yellow electrical bolts originating from the top. The dexter base contains a red background and a white "Star of Life". The sinister base has a yellow background with a white State of Iowa. There is a red five-pointed star representing the location of the Iowa Wing.
Significance:
The significance of the yellow or red are unknown. The white wing represents the critical air component of the Civil Air Patrol. The antenna with electrical bolts represents the communications ability during a disaster. The "Star of Life" represents the rescue abilities of the Civil Air Patrol during a search and rescue operation. The outline of Iowa represents the Iowa Wing with a red star demonstrating the basic location of the squadron.
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014
Description:
The Davenport Composite Squadron emblem is a "modified" disc design composed of three elements. When the emblem was created, the Civil Air Patrol never officially adopted USAF heraldry rules and thus squadrons could use shield or disc designs. The disc design contains a white background with a black border. Starting at the dexter chief position and ending at the sinister chief position through the chief position are the words "DAVENPORT COMPOSITE SQUADRON" written in sky blue. The first element is located at the fess point. This element is an exact copy of the Black Sheep Squadron (VMA-214) emblem. Within this emblem is an F4U Corsair located at the chief position. There is a black band moving from the dexter base position to the sinister chief position. At the fess point (relative to the Black Sheep emblem) is a circle of 12 light blue fivepointed stars. At the dexter chief position is a black ram facing the sinister position. The second element starts at the dexter position and ends at the sinister position passing through the base position. This includes the words "IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN JEFFREY SMITH" written in red. The third element contains three words written in sky blue. These are "USAF" located at the dexter position, "13041" at the chief middle chief position, and "CAP" at the sinister position.
Significance:
The patch prominently displays the infamous WWII Black Sheep Squadron emblem (VMA-214). The plane is an F4U Corsair, which was the second type of aircraft flown by the squadron (1943-1945). The original aircraft was the F4F Wildcat (1942). The name was adopted supposedly due to the fact that the Marine Corps did not originally support the squadron. Captain Jeffrey Smith, USMC, was an AV-8B Harrier pilot assigned to VMA-214. He volunteered to fly his aircraft to the Quad Cities Airshow since he was from Coggon, Iowa and had studied Engineering at Iowa State University. During the airshow, CAPT Smith interacted extensively with the Davenport Composite Squadron and was especially kind to the squadron’s cadets. On his departure following the Airshow, the Harrier aircraft experienced engine failure. He crashed at Davenport, Iowa on 29 June 1992 and eventually died a few days later. CAPT Smith was buried on 04 July 1992 in Coggon, Iowa.
Designer:
The Seniors and Cadets of Davenport Composite Squadron. The death of Captain Jeffrey Smith was felt deeply by the entire squadron. Therefore, the entire squadron decided to commemorate the native Iowan in the design of the patch. Of particular note, the VMA-214 Commander and the Inspector General approved the patch design.
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014
Description:
The Cedar Rapids Senior Squadron emblem is a shield design composed of three elements. When the emblem was created, the Civil Air Patrol never officially adopted USAF heraldry rules and thus squadrons could use shield or disc designs. The emblem contains a red scroll and the words "SENIOR SQUADRON" in white letters. The border of the emblem is red. The background of the shield is USAF blue. The first element is an eagle located at the honor point. The eagle is facing sinister with its head at the dexter sinister position. Within the eagle’s talons is a red scroll with the words "SEMPER VIGILANS". The second element is a green State of Iowa with a red star. The third element is the words "IOWA WING" located at the chief position and "CEDAR RAPIDS" located at the base position.
Significance:
The blue background, red trim, and white lettering is to represent the US colors. The State of Iowa outline represents the Iowa Wing. The red star represents the location of the unit within the state: Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The eagle is derived from the former Air Defense Command patch, which the designer served under while in the US Air Force. It is represents the eagle displayed on the Iowa flag. The eagle is carrying a banner in its talons, which reads "Semper Vigilans" (CAP motto). This is Latin for "Always Vigilant". The original design had major Iowa rivers drawn, but were eliminated due to production requirements.
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014
Description:
The Des Moines Metro Cadet Squadron emblem is a "modified" shield design composed of four elements. When the emblem was created, the Civil Air Patrol never officially adopted USAF heraldry rules and thus squadrons could use shield or disc designs. The base scroll has a read background and the unit’s name "Des Moines Metro Cadet Sqdn" written in black letters. The emblem’s border is black. The scroll at the chief position contains a red background and the words "SEMPER VALIOUS, SEMPER PROMPTUS" written in black. The first element is the black City of Des Moines skyline with the black glider. The skyline is located at the nombril point, while the glider is positioned at the honor point. The second element is the yellow and orange sunrise. The third element is the number "72nd" written in white at the middle base position.
Significance:
The squadron patch depicts a CAP glider in flight above the Des Moines skyline, which represents the unit’s location. The motto, "Semper Valious, Semper Promptus" is Latin for "Always Strong, Always Ready". The "72nd" represents the unit’s charter number 13072. The sunrise is to represent the unit’s rising in the Iowa Wing.
History:
IA-072 Des Moines Metro Cadet Squadron was chartered in 2006 and deactivated in 2014. At the same time IA-002 Des Moines Senior Squadron was also being deactivated, so the two units merged to form IA-002 Des Moines Composite Squadron.
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014
and
1st Lt Alexander H Paul, Commander, Des Moines Comp Sq
April 10, 2018
Description:
The East Iowa Cadet Squadron emblem is a shield design composed of three elements. When the emblem was created, the Civil Air Patrol never officially adopted USAF heraldry rules and thus squadrons could use shield or disc designs. The scroll has a white background the words "EAST IOWA CADET SQUADRON" written in USAF blue. The border of the emblem is yellow. The shield contains a grey background. The first element is located at the nombril point. This is the Iowa state flag. The second element, located at middle chief, is the Civil Air Patrol pilot wings. The wings are outlined in black with a blue disc, red tri propeller, and white triangle in the center. The third element is located at the chief position and base position. These are the red words "CIVIL AIR PATROL" and "13078", respectively.
Significance:
The reason for choosing a grey background is unknown. The USAF yellow represents the sun. The Iowa state flag is to represent the Iowa Wing and the "East Iowa" squadron. The Civil Air Patrol pilot wings represent the air component to the organization. The numbers "13078" denote the squadron’s charter number.
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014
Description:
The Central Iowa Composite Squadron emblem is a shield design composed of four elements. When the emblem was created, the Civil Air Patrol never officially adopted USAF heraldry rules and thus squadrons could use shield or disc designs. The scroll contains a grey background and "CENTRAL IOWA COMPOSITE SQ" written in black letters. The border of the emblem is black. The first element, located at the honor point, is a straight facing Rising Phoenix with its wings curved and connected above its head. Within the wings is a blue "spade". The second element is a sword moving diagonally across the emblem. Its handle is at the dexter base position with its tip at the sinister chief position. The third element is a torch with an orange flame also moving diagonally across the emblem. The flame is located at the dexter chief position and the base at the sinister base position. The fourth element is the background, which is divided using the sword. The dexter chief color is USAF blue and the sinister base color is red.
Significance:
The phoenix represents the rising from the ashes as the previous Ames-Boone unit was dechartered in 1984. The inside shape of the phoenix resembles an "Ace of Spades". The flame represents knowledge and the sword represents the strength. The blue and red colors represent the State of Iowa.
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014
Description:
The Washington-Brinton Cadet Squadron emblem is a "modified" disc design composed of three elements. When the emblem was created, the Civil Air Patrol never officially adopted USAF heraldry rules and thus squadrons could use shield or disc designs. The disc border is USAF blue with a white inner circular border. The inside background is a dark blue color. The first element, located at the middle chief position, is a bust portrait of "President George Washington". The second element is a Civil Air Patrol emblem located at the middle base. The second element is superimposed over the third element. This element contains a white five-pointed star with white wings stretching out. The wing tips end at the dexter chief and sinister chief positions.
Significance:
The background was dark blue to represent the connection with the U.S. Air Force and the sky. The patch contained an image of George Washington, which the City of Washington was named after. The wings represent the Civil Air Patrol flying heritage. The red propeller represents the Civil Air Patrol and its three missions (Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services).
Information provided by:
Maj Casey L. C. Schroeder, IAWG Historian
September 4, 2014