The Patch design was selected by Colonel Cord Meyer, CAP, the Wing Commander from September 1949 to January 1952. The design was one of many submitted by the membership during a Wing-wide contest. The winning design was submitted by Warrant Officer Anthony Peters of the Brooklyn Detached Squadron (which later became the Brooklyn Group).
Peters’ design combines elements of New York State, New York Wing and Air Force history. The colors are blue and gold - the official colors of New York State as well as the Air Force colors of ultramarine blue and golden yellow. The state outline and the letters 'NY' represent the state, with the red and silver colors of the wings and propeller representing the wartime colors of Civil Air Patrol, a nod to our Wing’s significant contribution to World War II.
The silver droopy wings, emblematic of CAP pilots, had been previously designed by New York Wing member, Lt Col C.B. Colby, who at that time was Chairman of the National Printing and Engraving Committee. Colonel Colby later returned to the New York Wing staff in the 1950s as the Civil Defense Director. (Note: Colby was the author of a large number of children’s pictorial hardcover on a broad range of topics, including one entitled This is Your Civil Air Patrol.)
All of these elements were combined on a 2 ½" circle, the same size as the previously worn Civil Air Patrol organizational insignia (the red 3-bladed propeller on a white triangle on a blue disc).
Information provided by:
Lt Col Allan Pogorzelski, former NYWG Historian
Within our unit patch, it shows a Nomad wondering the desert, this symbolized that we have never truly had a home of our own, meeting in churches, schools, VFW posts, Parks. The background is night time representing the time when we have our meetings, and featured in the top left is the Southern Star since we are Southtowns of Western New York. The Latin on the patch roughly translates to, "Where Right and Honor Lead."
Designed by:
Cadet Sean Feldman and 2d Lt Demetric Moss
Approved by:
1st Lt Elana Mac Dermant
Commander, Putnam County Composite Squadron
Authorized by:
Col Kenneth Andreu,
Commander, New York Wing
Information provided by:
C/SMSgt Sean Feldman
March 12, 2009
The squadron began as Suffolk Cadet Squadron 6 in 1976, and changed its name in 1979 to honor Long Island’s two-war Flying Ace, Col Francis S "Gabby" Gabreski. When Capt Joy Nelson, squadron commander 1978-1980, asked Colonel Gabreski about using his name for the squadron, he had just one condition: When he died, the squadron would decorate his grave along with the others in his section (#14) at Calverton National Cemetery each Memorial Day. Since Gabby's passing on January 31, 2002, the squadron has never failed to make good on its promise.
The Colonel Francis S Gabreski Composite Squadron patch was designed in 2000 by former members Cadet Everett Brady, and his father, 1st Lt James Brady. The patch design was approved by then Squadron Commander, Maj James Hirsch, and authorized for wear by New York Wing Commander, Col Richard Greenhut, in 2001.
Information provided by:
Maj Louis P Fenech Jr, NY-117 Commander
March 26, 2009
Heraldry
The Syracuse Cadet Squadron's distinctive unit patch was designed by C/Lt Col Charlsie Brooks and approved for uniform wear in 2004 by New York Wing Commander, Colonel Austyn W Granville Jr.
Information provided by:
Syracuse Cadet Squadron
and Maj Daniel W Brodsky
November 02, 2006
Our squadron patch - a Tomcat with 3 tails and a web belt with canteen leaning on an aircraft in a nonchalant way - has many meanings. The Tomcat character is also a play on the Grumman-Long Island relationship, and specifically the F-14 Tomcat "Anytime, Baby" patch.
The number at the top is our National Squadron number. The first 2 digits (31) represents New York state (not necessarily the 31st. State - either in CAP or the U.S.) The last three digits (153) designates our particular Squadron within NY state.
The Tomcat is relaxed but eager - ready at a moments notice (he's wearing his gear) to go into action to locate and save people in need of help. He stands beside his Cessna ready to take off and fly low and slow looking for lost aircraft and people.
He has three tails. These represent the three services of the U.S. Civil Air Patrol; Emergency Services, Aerospace and the Cadet Program which he takes care of when not busy saving lives.
Lucky 7 has several meanings. We have a perfect safety record, a large, air conditioned meeting area, a great group of volunteers and we're good at what we do. How much luckier can you get!
Information provided by:
1st Lt Robert Litzke, NY-153 Commander
April 13, 2009
The shield protects the bearer. The shield is gray, as the gray skies of our founding year, 1941. The golden triangle represents the "Triple Cities" area in which we live - Binghamton, Vestal, Endicott - which played so important a roll in World War II aviation, as reflected by the Hap Arnold Wings. The red propeller represents Civil Air Patrol. The motto "Seize the Initiative" reflects the desire of each member to take the lead, accomplish the mission.
The emblem was designed by William "Bill" Shafer, and the patch was in use from the early 1990s until 2002 when the charter was moved to Oneonta, New York.
Information provided by:
William "Bill" Shafer
October 19, 2007
Emblem Hearldry
The emblem was designed by Maj Chris "GQ" Buchholz; approved by Col John Jones, Commander, New York Wing; and authorized on November 16, 2022 by Col Everett C Hume, Commander, Northeast Region.
Information provided by:
Maj Chris "GQ" Buchholz, Commander, Westchester Hudson Sr Sq
July 10, 2024
The Emblem chosen for the Broome-Tioga Squadron reflects our Past and our Future. The colors and symbols tell our story...
The story of our unit unfolds thus...
Our heritage begins with the Army Air Corps, represented by the Star and Red circle. Our Customs, Courtesies, Insignia of Grade, and our first uniform all come from the past. The Air Corps flew in Blue skies during major conflicts, represented by the three diagonal bars, or Ramparts. They divide a time of War from a time of Peace. They are bordered in Gold - we fought with Honor.
Notice the Squadron is identified within the conflict - we began during the War, and notice also that Peace begins during the conflict and continues. In this time of Peace, our mission is threefold, represented by the three Silver Stars; Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and The CAdet Program. Our missions are Pure in nature, and benefit the community in which we live.
The scroll is Gray, from the Gray Skies prior to our founding, and it contains the Purity of our Motto: "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" - translated as "Fortune Favors the Bold"
Information provided by emblem designer:
William "Bill" Shafer
October 7, 2007
Captain Frances Robert Sussey joined the squadron September 4, 1998. As a pilot and aircraft mechanic, he fit naturally into the sometimes-demanding task of both flying and managing the maintenance schedule of the squadrons' aircraft. Not only was he a qualified search and rescue pilot, but he also oversaw the maintenance and pilot training programs for the squadron. After his unexpected death in December, 2003, the squadron was dedicated in his memory as the "F. R. Sussey Composite Squadron" to honor his contributions and commitment to service.
The yellow borders and blue field are both the colors the Air Force highly recommends are used in all unit patches and also mimic the colors of the New York Wing patch. The blue represents "the sky", a primary theater of Civil Air Patrol operations, while Air Force yellow represents "the sun" and the excellence required of Civil Air Patrol personnel.
The recognizable, 5-point Oswego County shield sits at middle base. The shape represents Fort Ontario which is located in the city of Oswego. (The F R Sussey Composite Squadron is the only squadron in Oswego County, receives support from the county, and operates from the Oswego County Airport). The white cross represents our humanitarian and Emergency Services operations. The white represents the purity of the volunteers' intentions in responding to their nation's call to service.
The gold, upswept wings represent the core of Civil Air Patrol: aviation and aerospace. Aerospace is intertwined in our cadet program, is an integral part of our humanitarian operations, and is the heart of our third mission: Aerospace Education. The wings are alsoreminiscent of the aviation community and airport where our squadron has been located since its charter. The wings are upswept to represent constant improvement in the spirit ofthe New York State motto, Excelsior - "Ever Upward".
The white, 5-pointed star represents the North star. The F R Sussey Composite Squadron is the northern most squadron in the Central New York Group and its members hail from some of the northern most parts of the state.
The squadron motto "Ad Proficiendum Civitatem" means to be of use to, to assist, and to help the citizens; it implies public service. It embodies the volunteerism inherent in all of Civil Air Patrol's missions, strongly represented in both cadet and senior members. This motto is not in use by any other Civil Air Patrol or military unit, nor any civilian organization.
The new patch was unveiled on May 31, 2008, during the squadron's second annual awards banquet.
Information provided by emblem designer:
Capt Michael Kieloch
June 3, 2008
Heraldry
Colors
The outer disc, of Yellow, represents the highest values such as excellence, honor and loyalty with which we perform our duties and the wisdom that our members provide to all the facets of the Civil Air Patrol.
The second disc, of Air Force Blue, represents the constancy and devotion that our members have for both the Air Force and Civil Air Patrol.
The stylized shield symbolized the Aerospace Education Mission
The lower scroll contains the squadrons name "414 Composite Squadron" for which we care the most.
The patch's concept and design was by Maj James R Strickland. An original colored pencil sketch was created by Michele Wright, followed by a digital rendition (shown here) by 1st Lt Richard Fairchild.
Information provided by:
Maj James "Jay" R Strickland
Group 5, Florida Wing
April 9, 2009