Dubuque Composite Squadron (IA-043)

The Dubuque Composite Squadron was active originally from 1942 to 6 AUG 1983.  The unit was rechartered and reactivated on 4 JUL 1993.  The modern patch for the Dubuque Composite Squadron was a joint effort between the concept created by Lt Col Bill Mausser and designed by 1st Lt Griffin Hamilton.  It was adopted in 2005.

Design

The Dubuque Composite Squadron emblem is a shield design composed of two 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 with black letters that read “DUBUQUE COMPOSITE SQUADRON”. The emblem has a black border. The first element is the bald eagle located at the nombril point. The eagle is facing the Dexter position with its head at the Dexter position. The eagle’s wings are located above the eagle with the wing tips at the dexter chief and sinister chief positions. The eagle’s talons are stretched out in front. The second element is the background, which is divided into three equal portions from a dexter chief to sinister base orientation. The dexter base area is red, while the center is white, and the sinister chief area is blue.

Significance and Symbology

The red, white, and blue represent the colors of the United States. The eagle represents a major hallmark for the City of Dubuque: the bald eagle population along the Mississippi River.