Hawkeye Composite Squadron (IA-103)
The Hawkeye Composite Squadron was activated on 20 OCT 2003 with a patch designed by C/Lt Col Casey L. C. Shroeder. The patch was used by the squadron through its deactivation on 20 JUL 2006.
Design
The Hawkeye 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 emblem is bordered in gold with a black background. In the scroll is the unit’s name “HAWKEYETM COMPOSITE” written in gold. The first element is the gold tigerhawk located at the fess point. The tigerhawk is facing sinister as per University of Iowa design. The second element is the crossed swords. The handles are located in the dexter chief and sinister chief position with the tips located at the sinister base and dexter base, respectively. The swords contain grey handles and white and grey blades.
Significance and Symbology
The shape of the patch is derived from the AFROTC patch. The color of the patch (black and gold) comes from the Army ROTC patch. The black stands for dignity and determination. The gold stands for loyalty, excellence, and honor. The gold outlines the black because all of the members’ dignity and determination are outlined, surrounded, and are a part of their loyalty, excellence, and their honor to the program. The shape and the color were chosen since they are the two military cadet programs in Iowa City.
The Hawkeye logo represents the higher education of the members. Furthermore, it represents that of which both of the military cadet programs are attached to: The University of Iowa. Last but not least, the Hawkeye logo represents the item that has had the most influence on the city of Iowa City: the University. As per University of Iowa usage rules, the ® logo is located just under the tigerhawk. In addition, the “TM” is located just after Hawkeye as per usage rules.
One sword represents cadets while the other sword represents seniors. The swords represent the strength, courage, and determination of the members that created the unit, and which carry it on. The crossing of the swords represents the crossroads that all leaders come upon when faced with a decision. Furthermore, it means that the Cadet Program and Senior Program are not separated from each other in the squadron.
The swords are white and gray to represent the purity of the unit when it was created. The white represents purity of the unit with gray covering parts of the white to represent the different influences that other units had upon unit members. Basically, the squadron is pure in its creation, but the members are bringing in previous unit experiences.