Des Moines Composite Squadron

Approved in 1995, the previous Des Moines Composite Squadron's patch was designed by Maj Michael Sarcone.

Design

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 white-checkered background.

Significance and Symbology

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.

In March 2023, the Des Moines Composite Squadron adopted a new patch using a disc and a single rocker rather than a shield.  Full heraldry citation and description is forthcoming on this patch.

Legacy

The Squadron was renamed in 1983 from the Des Moines Composite Squadron to the Des Moines Cadet Squadron. In 1998, the name changed from Des Moines Cadet Squadron to Des Moines Composite Squadron. In 2006, the name changed from Des Moines Composite Squadron to Des Moines Senior Squadron. In 2013, the name changed from Des Moines Senior Squadron to Des Moines Composite Squadron after the merging of IA-002 and IA-072.