Des Moines Metro Cadet Squadron (IA-072)

The Des Moines Metro Cadet Squadron was chartered on 13 JUL 2006 and operated until February of 2014.  It was absorbed by the Des Moines Composite Squadron (IA-002) at that time.  The unit patch was approved at the time of activation and was created by Capt Betty Kelly and C/Capt Amanda Veen.

Design

The Des Moines Metro Cadet Squadron emblem is a “modified” shield design composed of four 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 base scroll has a read background and the unit’s name “Des Moines Metro Cadet Sqdn” written in black letters. The emblem’s border is black. The scroll at the chief position contains a red background and the words “SEMPER VALIOUS, SEMPER PROMPTUS” written in black. The first element is the black City of Des Moines skyline with the black glider. The skyline is located at the nombril point, while the glider is positioned at the honor point. The second element is the yellow and orange sunrise. The third element is the number “72nd” written in white at the middle base position.

Significance and Symbology

The squadron patch depicts a CAP glider in flight above the Des Moines skyline, which represents the unit’s location. The motto, “Semper Valious, Semper Promptus” is Latin for “Always Strong, Always Ready”. The “72nd” represents the unit’s charter number 13072. The sunrise is to represent the unit’s rising in the Iowa Wing.