South Dakota Wing

The South Dakota Wing Headquarters, CAP designation NCR-SD-001, is located near the Rapid City Regional Airport in Rapid City, SD. One of 52 Wings in the Civil Air Patrol it is subordinate to the North Central Region. The Wing is named after the state where it is located. It was formed at the same time the Civil Air Patrol was formed on 1 December 1941. The earliest specific mention of the South Dakota Wing is in a South Dakota newspaper article dated January 1942. The Wing Headquarters has moved three times since it was formed. From December 1941 to February 1950 it was located in Pierre. From March 1950 to June 2006 it was in Sioux Falls and from June 2006 to present it is located near the Rapid City Regional Airport.

There are two known variants of the South Dakota Wing patch. They are very similar in appearance to each other. Variant-1 is believed to have come into existence in 1951. No record has been found as to when Variant-1 was superseded by Variant-2. However, anecdotally, Variant-2 was in wear in the early 1980s. However, Lt Col Lois Schmidt states that it was worn as early as 1968.

Variant-1 (at left): The patch, edged in dark blue, is in the shape of a circle, banded in dark blue, with a banner above and below. The upper banner bears the name of the Wing in red on a white field. The lower banner bears the organizational name in red on a white field. The field of the circle is white. In the center is a solid outline of the state of South Dakota in light blue. Superimposed over the state outline is a crude representation of the four faces on Mouth Rushmore in white and light and dark blue surrounded by dark blue that represents the mountain. At the bottom center of the circle is an older version of the Civil Air Patrol emblem; stylized light blue wings with central light blue circle edged in dark blue containing a white triangle with a red, three-blade propeller. This Variant-1 patch is from the Lt Col Dick Forman Collection.

Variant-2 (at right): The patch, edged in medium blue, is in the shape of a circle, banded in medium blue, with a banner above and below. The upper banner bears the name of the Wing in red on a white field. The lower banner bears the organizational name in red on a white field. The field of the circle is white. In the center is a solid outline of the state of South Dakota in light blue. Superimposed over the state outline is a representation of the four faces on Mount Rushmore in white and light blue with touches of darker blue below and to the right representing the mountain. At the bottom center of the circle is an older version of the Civil Air Patrol emblem; stylized light blue wings with central light blue circle edged in darker blue containing a white triangle with a red, three-blade propeller.

The primary differences on Variant-2 are that the depiction of Mount Rushmore is much more precise and that the wings at bottom center are slightly different in shape.

No record has been found as to who designed the South Dakota Wing patch. Nor has any record been found as to who initially manufactured the Variant-1 design.

The 1980 uniform sales catalog for the "CAP Bookstore" (1980-2000) did not have a photo of the patch so it is not known if it was Variant-1 or Variant-2. The "CAP Bookstore" was replaced by "CAPMart" (2000-2006). Their catalogs also did not have a photo of the patch. Vanguard Industries began manufacturing the Variant-2 design in 2006 when they acquired the contract from "CAPMart".

An argument can be made that when the "CAP Bookstore" took over the marketing of the South Dakota wing patch from the previous manufacturer(s) they, or their subcontractor for patches, used computer design software to clean up the original pattern. If this is the case it would explain how the Variant-2 patch was anecdotally being worn by South Dakota Wing in the early 1980s.

Information provided by:
Article originally publised in the Spring 2017 edition of SD Wing Roundup.

South Dakota Wing "1st Cav" Drill Team

The 2005 National Cadet Competition took place July 6 through July 11 at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's annex at Washington Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC. South Dakota Wing's "1st Cav" Drill Team represnted North Central Region in the National Drill Team Competition.

TOP PHOTO - Standing left to right is: Cadet Bojan Salihagic, Sioux Falls Comp; Cadet Dan Campbell, Crazy Horse Comp Sq; Cadet Eric Wahl, Rushmore Comp Sq; Cadet Ann Ziegler, Lookout Mountain Comp Sq; Cadet Ben Larson, Sioux Falls Comp Sq; Cadet Susanna Marking, Crazy Horse Comp Sq; Cadet Libby Marking, Crazy Horse Comp Sq; Cadet Sarah Adams, Lookout Mountain Comp Sq; Cadet Cody Silvernagle, Lookout Mountain Comp Sq; Cadet Tyler Baldwin, Rushmore Comp Sq (at back); Cadet A J Betzler, Sioux Falls Comp Sq; Cadet Wesley Biggs, Sioux Falls Comp Sq; Cadet Peter Coates, Sioux Falls Comp Sq; Cadet Alex Ingalls, Rushmore Comp Sq; and Col B T Marking, South Dakota Wing Commander. Kneeling left to right are: Cadet J T Claymore, Crazy Horse Comp Sq; 1st Lt Mike Johnson, Rushmore Comp Sq; 2d Lt Beth Hermanson, Lookout Mountain Comp Sq; and Maj Vicky Marking (taking photo).

The 2007 National Cadet Competition took place June 28 through July 1 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Daytom, Ohio. South Dakota's "1st Cav" Drill Team (bottom photo) once again represnted North Central Region in the National Drill Team Competition.

BOTTOM PHOTO - Roughly from left to right is: Cadet A J Betzler, Sioux Falls Comp Sq; Cadet Natalie Krueger, Big Sioux Comp Sq; Cadet Cory Chastain, Rushmore Comp Sq; Cadet Nick Gengler, Big Sioux Comp Sq; Cadet Libby Marking, Crazy Horse Comp Sq; C/Col Susanna Marking, Big Sioux Comp Sq (Commander); Cadet Cory Mergen, Rushmore Comp Sq; Cadet Francesca Fogarty, Sioux Falls Comp Sq; Cadet Hanna Krueger, Big Sioux Comp Sq; Cadet Ryan Maendel, Rushmore Comp Sq; Cadet Wesley Biggs, Sioux Falls Comp Sq; Cadet Jesse Bicknell, Lewis and Clark Comp Sq; Cadet Tyler Baldwin, Rushmore Comp Sq; Cadet Ben Jared, Lewis and Clark Comp Sq (Alternate, not shown); Lt Col B T Marking (Escort, not shown); Lt Col Cindi Merchant (Escort, not shown); Maj Vicky Marking (Escort, not shown); and 1st Lt Ed Jared (Escort, not shown).

Information provided by:
Major Karla West,
South Dakota Wing Historian
March 4, 2024

SD-031 Rushmore Composite Squadron

History & Heraldry

The Rushmore Comp Sq Squadron, CAP designation NCR-SD-031, is located on Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD. It is one of six squadrons in the South Dakota Wing.

The squadron is named after the Shrine of Democracy, commonly known as the Mt. Rushmore monument, an iconic symbol of South Dakota. As the Rushmore Comp Sq Squadron is located on Ellsworth AFB, home to one of the U.S. Air Force units equipped with the B-1 bomber, the squadron’s patch blends elements of both into its design.

The squadron’s distinctive unit patch is in the traditional round shape and consists of two rings and a central medallion. The narrow outer ring is black. The wide inner ring is red. At the top center of the red ring is an abbreviated form of the squadron’s CAP designation in white. Below, and to the right and left are two white stars that symbolize the Civil Air Patrol’s mission of aerospace education. Around the base of the red ring is the squadron’s name in white. The central medallion depicts a black and grey U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber trailing white contrails as it soars through the dark blue South Dakota sky. Below the bomber is a depiction of Mount Rushmore in light blue and white with scattered trees in black at the base and sides of the monument.

No record has been found that mentions who designed the patch, when it was designed, or when it was approved for wear on CAP uniforms.

Information provided by:
Major Karla West,
South Dakota Wing Historian
February 22, 2024

SD-031 Rushmore Composite Squadron

ELEMENT ONE

Mount Rushmore - Mt Rushmore represents the greatness of our nation in that the four presidents on Mt Rushmore were picked for their great leadership. George Washington for being our first president, Thomas Jefferson for being the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, Theodore Roosevelt for provided leadership when America experienced Rapid economic growth, and Abraham Lincoln for holding the nation together during the civil war. We take our squadron name from this cherished monument since it represents the values Integrity, Volunteer service, Excellence, and Respect.


ELEMENT TWO

Trees - Black Hills - The Evergreen trees represent our location which is in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The dense forests created a dark hue against the skyline, rendering the hills black. The name Black Hills is a translation of the Lakota Paha Sapa, which literally means "hills that are black".


ELEMENT THREE

The Wolfpack - The wolfpack represents a strong sense of unity and teamwork in a unit demonstrating cooperation and support for each other. The wolfpack must work in unison to accomplish tasks and follow their leaders with trust and distinction.

Moon and Wolves Howling at it - The primary reason wolves howl is a rally cry for the troops to meet up and a signal to let all members know we are on station. The moon represent that we are always ready day or night to execute our mission.

Lightning bolts - The lightning bolt is a symbol of power, strength, energy, and speed. The lightning bolt is most widely associated with the Greek God Zeus and the Norse God Thor. The lightning bolt is also associated with Thors protection of humanity. Lightning also has a positive side in that it is often seen as a sign of hope and change, especially when it comes after a period of darkness just like a find in a Search and rescue mission.

Information provided by:
Lt Col Howard Steiner, Commander
Rushmore Composite Squadron
April 1, 2024

SD-050 Sioux Falls Cadet Squadron

History & Heraldry

The Sioux Falls Cadet Squadron was located in Sioux Falls, SD. The squadron is believed to have been one of the oldest in the South Dakota Wing having been formed around 1945, but possibly as early as 1942. It existed until 2001.

From 1986-2001, there were two CAP squadrons in Sioux Falls; the Sioux Falls Cadet Squadron (SD-050) that existed from the early 1940s to 2001 and the Joe Foss Senior Squadron (SD-061) that existed from 1986-2001. In 2001, the Joe Foss Senior Squadron merged with the Sioux Falls Cadet Squadron to form the Sioux Falls Comp Sq Squadron (SD-050). When the units merged this patch was inactivated and replaced by the new Sioux Falls Comp Sq Squadron patch.

The Sioux Falls Cadet Squadron’s distinctive unit patch is in the traditional shape of a circle with banners at top and bottom. The banners bear the name of the squadron in green on a white field. The entire patch is outlined in black. The patch consists of a round white field bearing a large yellow sunburst. In the center of the sunburst is a brown eagle with white tail feathers and head. It is a patriotic image and alludes to the link between the US Air Force and the Civil Air Patrol, its official volunteer civilian auxiliary. Clutched in the eagle’s claws is an older version of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Programs badge. The badge is in the shape of a shield. The top third of the shied is a blue field with white stars. The bottom two thirds of the shield are alternating vertical red and white stripes. In the center of the badge is a large, white three-blade aircraft propeller.

Lt Col Steward Evans, former Executive Officer of the Sioux Falls Cadet Squadron, confirmed that the patch is valid and that it was designed by the cadets of the squadron, but he does not recall when.

Information provided by:
Major Karla West,
South Dakota Wing Historian
February 22, 2024

SD-050 Sioux Falls Composite Squadron

History & Heraldry

The Sioux Falls Comp Sq Squadron, CAP designation NCR-SD-050, is located in Sioux Falls, SD. It is one of six squadrons in the South Dakota Wing.

The squadron is named after the city where it is located. The squadron is one of the oldest in the South Dakota Wing and can document its lineage to 1950 and, anecdotally to 1942, when it was the location of one of the eight Area Group Commands in the South Dakota Wing.

The squadron’s distinctive unit patch is in the traditional shape of a shield with a scroll at the bottom bearing an abbreviated form of the squadron’s name. The patch is outlined in white. At the top of the shield is a horizontal black bar bearing the Civil Air Patrol motto "Vigilant Always" in Latin in white. Below the black bar is a nose-on view of a Cessna aircraft in Civil Air Patrol colors flying through the vivid hues of a South Dakota evening. Below the aircraft is an abbreviated form of the squadron’s CAP designator. Horizontally, just below the center of the shield is a depiction of the Sioux Falls skyline. The brown and blue area below the skyline represents the waterfall on the Sioux River. At the bottom of the shield is a composite of an older version of the Civil Air Patrol’s winged logo over stylized Air Force style wings. This symbolizes that the Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the US Air Force.

The squadron patch was designed in 2006 by Lt Col Rick Larson and the then Squadron Public Affairs Officer Lt Shawn Anderson. It was approved for wear shortly thereafter.

Information provided by:
Major Karla West,
South Dakota Wing Historian
February 22, 2024

SD-058 Big Sioux Composite Squadron

History & Heraldry

The Big Sioux Composite Squadron, CAP designation NCR-SD-058, is located in Brookings, SD. It is one of six squadrons in the South Dakota Wing.

The squadron is named after the Big Sioux River that flows past the city.

The squadron’s distinctive unit patch is in the traditional shape of a shield with a scroll at the bottom. The entire patch is outlined in yellow. The scroll at the bottom bears the squadron’s motto in blue on a silver-gray field. The field of the shield is divided with the upper three quarters in red and the bottom quarter in dark blue. At the top of the red field is the name of the squadron in white. Below this are two crossed flags on staffs; a stylized U.S. flag on the left and the flag of the state of South Dakota on the right. The flag’s staffs cross at the apex of a white triangle containing a red three-blade propeller, one of the organizational symbols of the Civil Air Patrol. At the bottom of the red field, to the left, in white is "USAF AUX." indicating that the Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. At the bottom of the red field to the right is "CAP" in white, the acronym of the Civil Air Patrol. In the blue field are three Civil Air Patrol badges in silver-gray. To the left is the CAP Ground Team Master badge. To the right is the CAP Paramedic badge. At the bottom center of the blue field is CAP Command Pilot Wings.

The patch was designed by then Capt Nick Gengler, Capt Dan Gerwing and Lt Travis Rup in 2009 and was approved for wear shortly thereafter.

Information provided by:
Major Karla West,
South Dakota Wing Historian
February 22, 2024

SD-063 Lookout Mountain Composite Squadron

History & Heraldry

The Lookout Mountain Composite Squadron, CAP designation NCR-SD-063, is located in Spearfish, SD. The unit, which received its charter in 1986, is one of six squadrons in the South Dakota Wing.

The squadron is named after a prominent terrain feature near the city of Spearfish in Lawrence County, SD.

The squadron’s distinctive patch, edged in dark blue, is in the shape of a circle, banded in gold, with a banner above and below. The upper banner bears the organizational name in dark blue on a white field. The lower banner bears the squadron name in black on a dark yellow field. The field of the circle is light blue. In the center is a large trout with a spear through it. The official symbol of the city of Spearfish is a nod to history as prior to the Black Hills Gold Rush of 1876, the area was used by Native Americans (primarily Sioux) who speared fish in the creek (hence the name of the creek and the city). The speared trout is superimposed over fluffy white clouds. At the bottom center of the field is the organizational logo used by the Civil Air Patrol during World War II (dark blue circle, white triangle and red three-blade propeller).

The City Council of Spearfish gave the squadron permission to use the emblem of the city in the design. The patch is a composite of several ideas from a squadron competition held in late 2010 and approved for wear shortly thereafter.

Information provided by:
Major Karla West,
South Dakota Wing Historian
February 22, 2024