Kentucky Wing Emblem Heraldry
The Kentucky Wing emblem is of a shield and scroll design. It features a gules escutcheon reminiscent of the previous Kentucky Wing emblem linking it to the service of our former airmen and the foundation that they forged for the wing today. The gules color is also significance as it identifies with the wing’s cadet program as the life blood of the next generations of our organization.
Charged on the gules shield is an argent rampant horse dexter, which connects our wing to the Commonwealth of Kentucky as the horse is synonymous with being an icon of the Commonwealth and its deeply rooted history with the horse. The horse is argent to signify the purity in the purposes of the Kentucky Wing and its unyielding determination to be a beacon of dependability and ever watchful vigilance. It is standing rampart and unbridled to signify the Kentucky Wing’s spirit and the urgency in which the wing carries out their missions.
An azure dart is chief and behind the horse’s head to represents the sky. Its prominent placement reflects the importance of fostering aerospace initiatives and honoring our educational mission. The lower angle of the dart represents the upward trajectory of an aircraft taking flight, linking the wing to forward progress and the upward mobility that simulates the growth potential of the organization’s programs. The upper tangent represents the stability of our relationship as the Auxiliary of the United States Air Force and that of the Great Lakes Region.
The argent outstretched wings are adorned with the azure disk, argent triangle, and gules tri-blade propeller to reflect the rich heritage of the Civil Air Patrol and brought forward from the previous Kentucky Wing emblem to honor our past. The wings are indicative of flight and our destiny to be linked with aviation, as well as our ever-reaching service to our community, state, and nation. The tri-blade propeller is associated with the three core missions of Civil Air Patrol; Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education. The argent triangle is reminiscent of Civil Air Patrol’s evolution from early Civil Defense efforts. The azure disk also links us to the sky in which we are always looking to for guidance and fulfillment.
The shield and scroll are bound in or/and represent how we are compelled to uphold the core values of the United States Air Force Auxiliary; Integrity, Excellence, Respect, and Volunteer Service, in conjunction with the unyielding high standards of the Kentucky Wing in all we do.
Designed by Captain Ilse "Izzy" House, Kentucky Wing Public Affairs Officer.
The three fleurs-de-lis represent the three missions of Civil Air Patrol:
- Aerospace Education
- Cadet Programs
- Emergency Serivces
The symbol for Louisville is the fleur-de-lis. The three fleurs-de-lis also represent the three CAP squadrons that serve the Louisville and surrounding area:
- KY-039 Louisville Composite Squadron
- KY-123 Kentucky Air National Guard Composite Squadron
- KY-214 Bowman Field Senior Squadron
The 13 stars represent the 13 original colonies.
The triangle and prop represent Civil Air Patrol.
The upward scroll represents serving our community with a "smile".
The crest comining them all represents how the whole relationships come together into a family crest.
Information provided by:
Captain David Kantor, Louisville Comp Sq
October 15, 2013
The components of this emblem are:
Three fleur de lis, representing the squadron’s connection to the City of Louisville and its namesake, King Louis XVI of France. They also represent the three program areas of Civil Air Patrol; Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs and Emergency Services. Gold was chosen for the fleur de lis in keeping with the color used on the city flag. The fleur de lis are atop symbolic columns representing flight trails or rocket trails, the fleur de lis are meant to be perceived as in flight above the clouds. It also is a representation of the original Louisville Composite Squadron patch, which also had 3 fleur de lis in their patch design.
A Skyhawk is depicted on a white cloud. The Skyhawk name had a long association with the now de-activated KYANG Composite Squadron, which, in turn, was long associated with a Kentucky Air National Guard unit, KY ANG 123 in Louisville. The original patch reflected the base connection, and the unit was known then as "Skyhawk Drivers" Most likely referring to the ANG Aircraft being flown at the time. It was also the unofficial nickname of their Unit Cyber Patriot Team for many years. When the KYANG Composite Squadron was deactivated in March of 2022, many of the members transferred into the Louisville Cadet Squadron which has taken on a symbolic unofficial responsibility to honor the history of the former KYANG Composite Squadron and include some of it’s history as well, in the new patch as a symbol of unity and the combining of the two Units into one.
The Skyhawk is depicted in its natural colors facing to the front with its wings outstretched, perched on the "CAP charge" (an equilateral triangle argent charged with a three-bladed propeller gules).
Design and Artwork:
Major Sharon Howarth, Louisville Cadet Squadron, Design concept Cadet C/MSgt Jack Clay, Louisville Cadet Squadron. Reviewed By Major Bernard J. Wilson, National HQ Senior Heraldry Manager (Office of the National Historian) as part of the design process.
Coordination and Approvals:
Lt Col Karen Hursh, Squadron Commander, Louisville Cadet Squadron. Coordinated through and Second Level of Approval: Kentucky WingCommander Col Brian Schmuck. Final approval by: Colonel Rose Hunt, Commander, Great Lakes Region on November 18, 2022.
Information provided by:
Kentucky Wing
September 22, 2025
The Bowling Senior Squadron emblem consists of a disc with two rockers with the bottom rocker displaying our unit name, Bowling Green Senior Squadron. Contained in the top rocker is the Civil Air Patrol Motto, Semper Vigilans. Semper Vigilans translated means "Always Vigilant."
The disc and rockers are trimmed in black. The black trim stands as a reminder of those who have passed on before us who have served in the Civil Air Patrol with all honor, integrity, and excellence.
The disc is a solid blue indicating our units love for the sky and future readiness. The disc is spangled with 12 stars. Twelve is the symbolic number of totality, wholeness, and completion. The stars are grouped into two different groups. The first is a group of 5 and the second is a group of 7. These two groupings signify the Bowling Green Senior Squadron’s number designation, GLR-KY-057.
In the center of the disc is a blue dart with gold trim. The dart represents the 57th’s commitment to Aerospace action and diligence. We are an aviation unit committed to pilot professionalism in aircraft and small Unmanned Aerial Systems. The azure dart represents our inclusion as Airmen in the United States Air Force, and the respect given and received with such a designation. The gold trim on the dart demands our best and our commitment to the Civil Air Patrol’s core values; Integrity, Excellence, Volunteer Service, and Respect.
In the center of the dart is the Lamp of Knowledge. This lamp showcases the willingness and expectation of those in the 57th to continue their growth through education, training, and mentorship. In the center of the Lamp of Knowledge the Civil Air Patrol tri-blade is revealed. The heraldic Civil Air Patrol red tri-bladed propeller and white triangle that is bound in azure, link our squadron with the wing, region, and national headquarters through our common service to our Communities, Commonwealth, and Nation. Each blade of the propeller represents the three missions ordained by the United States Congress and our commitment to them; Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education.
Finally, supporting the dart, the lamp, and the tri-blade, is the upturned silver horseshoe. The horseshoe on the 57th’s emblem symbolizes the unit’s submission and support for Kentucky Wing, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the United States of America.
Designed by Col Darrel Williamson, Commander, Kentucky Wing.