"I am very happy to debut the new Florida Wing command shield that will also be worn as our wing patch. It has designed by Captain Matt Congrove during his tenure as Deputy Director of the Wing IT department. It will be available through Vanguard within the next 10 days at the same cost as our current patch. The current patch may still be worn as prescribed until 07 Mar 10."
Blazon by Captain Charles E (Chuck) Corway -
"On a shield azure with a diminutive border or, eight mullets on upper sinister quadrant argent; on lower dexter quadrant a section of a globe azure with trail argent and arrow or; a compass rose or with inescutcheon of the Civil Air Patrol emblem proper. Motto: FLORIDA WING azure."
Information provided by:
Col Christian F Moersch, Florida Wing Commander
July 6, 2009
"In 2003, as part of the Florida Wing Cadet Programs Team (assigned as Cadet Programs Development Officer), we discussed the design of a shield for the program. Given the freedom to design a shield without too much guidance, as in the SER Seal case, I was able to create a design that I was proud of. The shield image is used on many Florid Wing Cadet Program elements today, such as documents, coins, shirts, and patches. As a patch, their is no official use for it. It is essentially a novelty."
Information provided by:
Lt Col Robert Sims,
Southeast Region Director of Information Technology
August 20, 2009
The yellow ties us to our history. Civil Air Patrol planes used to be painted yellow, and the WWII Army Air Corps squadrons based at the Leesburg Airfield had yellow patches.
The Gryphon represents power on land and in the air, the two realms in which CAP operates. The color green represents safety. At its core, CAP exists to keep people safe. The Gryphon is in a passive stance to show we do not engage in hostilities. However, the beak and talons are red to show we have in the past.
The blue circle and white triangle shows that we are a Civil Defense organization, while the red propeller indicates we conduct this defense in the air. The three blades of the propeller also represent the three missions of CAP: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs.
The four stars are represent our Core Values: Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect. The stars are red to match the propeller. We accomplish our Missions through our Core Values.
Our motto is our acting principal. We do what we do for the sake of Life, Liberty, and Honor.
Information provided by:
Lake Composite Squadron
May 7, 2022
Former squadron commander Major Chuck Volgelsong adapted the unit's nickname "Ace in the Hole" from his days in the US Army. He designed the first version of the Lee County Composite Squadron patch during the 1990s, which was worn on the right breast pocket of Battle Dress Uniforms up until c.2008.
In the mid-2000s under the command of Captian Jim 'Banzai' McClain Jr, the squadron's Deputy Commander Captain Doug Reiter designed a second disk-style version of the patch of the patch to be worn on flight suits and flight jackets only. The shield-style continued to be worn on field uniforms at the same time.
Captain Reiter became the Squadron Commander following Captain McClain. The unit was later reorganized as a Cadet Squadron under the command of Captain Greg Tweedy. It was disbanded c.2010-11 and its charter decommissioned.
Information provided by:
Capt Doug Reiter, former Commander
November 20, 2017
In November 2007, the squadron commander -- unknown if it was Capt Gary D Hinkle (FEB07), Lt Col Herman Slapo (AUG07), or 1st Lt Christopher M Reese (JAN08) -- designed the patch and had it made up as a morale booster. Squadron members wore the patch, however it is unknown if it was ever submitted for wing approval.
Information provided by:
1st Lt Justin Adkinson
May 2008
"The patch was originally designed and used by Keystone Heights Flight, a flegling unit that started life in 2002 as part of Gainesville Composite Squadron, Group 2. The unit obtained charter FL-202 from National Headquarters just months later, but its life was short lived and the unit was deactivated in early 2006. Later the same year, attemps were made to reactivate the unit as Keystone-Blanding Composite Squadron."
"The alligator charactor is based on artwork by Colonel Zack Mosley, former Florida Wing commander and artist of the famed Smilin' Jack aviation comic strip. The alligator is from a revission of the original Florida Wing patch which was also designed by Colonel Mosley. However, the wing chose not to adopt the newer, fiercer gator for its own patch."
Information provided by:
Bill Breeze, former member
The colors chosen are red for courage and strength; gold for honor, excellence, and loyalty; blue for devotion, truth, and sincerity; white/silver for charity and test of truth; and black for dignity, determination, and humility.
The yellow plane in the foreground is one of the original Piper J-3 Cubs that the Civil Air Patrol utilized during World War II. It represents the history and aerospace mission of CAP and the squadron.
The red silhouette behind the plane is the shape of the city of Brandon. The squadron has been in Brandon since it was chartered, and Brandon itself has been around since 1857. The large star within the silhouette of Brandon is a
symbol of excellence, and it is positiooed where Limona Village Chapel is located. Limona Village Chapel is a very important part of the squadron's history, and has been an established church longer than the Civil Air Patrol has existed; the squadron has met at this location since it was first chartered in 1978.
The smaller stars in the blue background are taken from the General Chuck Yeager Cadet Squadron patch, as a way to incorporate and honor the recent history of the squadron.
Information provided by:
Brandon Cadet Squadron
Emblem Statement of Significance
Wolves are considered in many cultures as a noble and honorable creature in heraldry. They operate in structured packs generally made up of a family-oriented hierarchy. They are highly communicative with each other and work together effectively to accomplish their goals. Wolves are extremely intelligent problem solvers who can adapt to almost any circumstance they face. Additionally, wolves are pathfinders; they forge ahead into uncharted territory and show others the way. These traits embody the spirit of our unit fully.
The wolf in the emblem is Red. In heraldry, red represents many facets of the pillars that make up the foundation of what the unit represents; boldness, integrity, courage, strength, magnanimity, passion, and unrelenting zeal towards completing its objective.
The motto on the top scroll of the emblem states "Valor through Vigilance". The bravery we show in adversity is tempered by our unwavering awareness of the world around us. Through vigilance we see all, and by seeing all we gain valor through our experience.
The eight stars in the emblem represent Integrity, Excellence, Respect, and Volunteer Service, the four core values of CAP above; and the four major phases of the cadet program below. They sit flanking the head of the wolf.
The design was orchestrated by Maj Ayrton "AJ" Ingle.
Information provided by:
Maj Barbara Abrams, Central Florida Comp Sq
July 15, 2024
Mascot: The Florida Panther. The Florida panther was chosen as he represents the apex predator of Everglades, our "operational home". He is known for his cunning, swiftness, and ability to adapt. He never fails in finding his quarry. All traits we try to exemplify in our Emergency Services / SAR missions. He is intelligent and knows his home like none other, intelligence we want to portray in our Aerospace Education. The panther is also a doting and committed parent, raising and teaching their young to great lengths the skills needed later in life, this is the goal of our Cadet Programs.
Emblem: The base of the emblem is that of the darkest blue of night sky, the same sky where we fly, and under which we perform our missions. Strewn across the sky, is a field of stars, 16 of them. There are 11 small stars representing the number of cadet achievements and 5 large ones representing the major cadet milestones. Situated large and in the center of the emblem is our mascot, the Florida panther, he is seen scanning the environment searching for his quarry. The panther is stalking through a sea of sawgrass, the dominant environment of the Everglades which makes up the majority of our territory. In the top rocker is written "SWIFT, SILENT, AND VIGILANT", our motto (explained below). The bottom rocker contains our name, "Fort Lauderdale Composite Squadron".
Motto: "SWIFT, SILENT, AND VIGILANT". This is expanded in meaning in so much as we aim to be swift in our duties, silent, always aware of our surroundings-listening, never complaining, and vigilant to our environment and our missions.
Colors: Colors are two tones of Khaki, representing the colors of the "sea of grass", and the color of earth. Khakis represent honesty, steadfastness, and strength. It is also a salute to our history and uniforms of the early Civil Air Patrol. Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, and freshness. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Blue the color of the sky, representing where we complete our missions, It is often associated with depth and stability. Dark blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness. White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, and purity. It is considered to be the color of perfection, our goal overall.
Information provided by:
2d Lt Ben Dickmann, Deputy Commander
Blazon
"On a shield gules with a border sable, one airplane on upper dexter quadrant sable, a bend or from lower dexter quadrant to upper sinister quadrant inscribed SER-FL-361 sable with the Civil Air Patrol emblem sable and argent at center, on lower sinister quadrant one horse sable, below the field a scroll argent emblazoned MARION COUNTY sable."
Heraldry
The design originated in the Fall of 2005, with final artwork completed by then C/CMSgt Reuben Tamblingson. After almost four years, the design was approved as a patch by Squadron Commander Captain Ronald Kielty, and authorized for uniform wear by Florida Wing Commander, Colonel Christian F Moersch, on August 25, 2009.
Information provided by:
Cadet Dillon Clancy
August 25, 2009
"This patch was designed by myself and Cadet P. Karl N. Fiebelkorn in about 1990 and produced sometime between 1991 and 92, after I graduated high school and went into the Army. Karl was an Earhart cadet and graduated high school in 1992, a year after me. Not sure if he stayed in CAP after high school when he attended Jacksonville University. He died in December 2001 from a brain aneurysm."
"The patch was designed with ideas taken from the Army's 75th Ranger Regimental crest. In the '80s, the squadron was referred to as FANG (FL Air Nat'l Guard) Three Eight Three. As cadets, being heavily into "army stuff" and ground search and rescue, we unofficially dubbed ourselves 383RD Search and Rescue Squadron. Back then, nobody cared so we just went with it. I'm actually surprised that it made it as an official patch because it doesn't accurately identify the squadron. What's worse, is the squadron, on the cadet side of the house anyway, is far from a SAR squadron. The seniors and air side perform more missions than most wings, but the cadets, not so much, if at all. Ironically cadets are the ones who designed it."
Information provided by:
Lt Col Kirt Bowden, CAP
"On dark blue disk with dark blue border, an eagle on the wing, brown and white, clutching a Civil Air Patrol emblem. In the background, a United States flag. Lettering in gold. The dark blue disk represents the aerospace environment. The eagle represents American airpower and symbolizes the core values of integrity, service, and excellence. The US flag represents dedication to the principles of freedom and democracy. The CAP emblem, a dark blue disk with a white triangle and red three-bladed propeller, establishes the connection to Civil Air Patrol heritage. The circle and triangle represents CAP’s home-front service with the Office of Civil Defense in World War II. The three-bladed propeller represents the three missions of Civil Air Patrol: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and the CAP Cadet Program."
Information provided by:
Eglin Composite Squadron
Olympia Cadet Squadron Emblem
The Olympia Cadet Squadron emblem combines imagery and colors reflecting its association with both Civil Air Patrol and Olympia High School, where it is based.
The colors used in the emblem are: Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow, as found in CAP's seal, and silver, black and teal which are the official colors of Olympia High School.
The central image of the emblem is a titan, symbol of Olympia High School, also connotating the strength exhibited by our squadron and CAP as a whole. The titan is holding up the Olympia High School logo; the letter "O" with a stylized lightning bolt running through it which symbolizes not only our association with the school, but also a sense of power and agility. Above this are images of two CAP Cessna aircraft in flight, and a lamp of knowledge.
The top rocker contains our squadron's motto: Titans of Vigilance (referring back to CAP's motto "Semper Vigilans") ~ Titans of Knowledge (referring to our Cadets and Senior Members always striving to extend their knowledge through school, CAP and life itself.)
The squadron name is displayed on the bottom rocker in a stylized Greek font which plays off the name "Olympia" and the titan's image, a classic Greek mythological character.
Black - RGB: 0,0,0 - CMYK: 0,0,0,100 - Pantone: N/A
White - RGB: 255,255,255 - CMYK: 0,0,0,0 - Pantone: N/A
Air Force Yellow - RGB: 252,209,22 - CMYK: 2,12,89,0 - Pantone: 116
Ultramarine Blue - RGB: 0,66,149 - CMYK: 100,73,0,2 - Pantone: Reflex
Titan Teal - RGB: 65,164,162 - CMYK: 69,8,34,0 - Pantone: 7473
Silver - RGB: 143,143,140 - CMYK: 38,27,26,9 - Pantone: Silver 877
The image at right is what Version 2 looks like, a smaller patch which replaced Version 1 to conform to heraldry guidlines. Olympia Cadet Squadron was disbanded and merged with Central Florida Composite Squadron (FL-259) in _____DATE_____.
Information provided by:
Captain Brian Collins, former Commander
February 15, 2022