"Or a griffin segreant dismembered with sword raised Sable, eye Or."
The Moses Lake Composite Squadron wanted their own distinguishing insignia. It needed to be something unique and representative of the squadron. The cadets took on this challenge and devised the insignia. It was drawn by Cadet David Paski (circa 1985) with input from Cadets Charles Griffin and Chad Scriven.
In heraldry, a griffin represents vigilance (this most likely stems from the ancient Greek belief that griffins were the guardians on the treasures of gold in the land of Hyperboreaus, a legendary people in the far north). We felt the griffin was an excellent choice, especially since the CAP motto is "Semper Vigilans." The gold (or yellow) background, the "Or" in the blazon, represents majesty, respect and virtue.
Information provided by:
Richard N Hogsett, Lt Col, CAP
Deputy Commander for Cadets
Columbia Basin Composite Squadron
November 14, 2008
The pictorial presentation of the Bellingham Composite Squadron patch includes a North American Grey Wolf howling or communicating with his pack. Hence the Bellingham Composite Squadron new call sign "Wolf pack" which define our unit’s unique qualities such as Fiercely Loyal, Teamwork, Patience, Communication, Intelligent, Playful and Cooperative.
The Air Force logo (Hap Arnold) symbolizes the union between Civil Air Patrol and the U.S. Air Force.
The blue and green colors background divided by a yellow lightning strike represents our CAP flight operations and ground teams which include logistical support in a very effective and dedicated response to our community.
The words on the top and bottom banner represent our city location and our official designation within Civil Air Patrol.
The Wolf Pack Credo
Information provided by:
Kevin Finsrud, 1st Lt, CAP
Bellingham Composite Squadron
January 4, 2011
McChord's patch design uses an eagle landing, stylized from the eagle of the Apollo 11 and Apollo 16 Moon missions, superimposed over the CAP Prop & Triangle on a sky-blue background with the squadron’s Latin motto VIAM INVENIAM, "Find A Way" in yellow lettering.
McChord Composite Squadron's patch design comes from the squadron being chartered during the height of the Apollo space flight era. McChord Squadron was chartered on January 12, 1973, just as NASA's last Moon mission, Apollo 17, was ending and NASA's first of four Skylab missions began.
NASA's Apollo and Skylab launches originated at Launch Complex 39. Originally built as the Apollo Program's "Moonport", Launch Complex 39 was used for NASA's Apollo and Skylab launches. Launch Complex 39 was later used for every launch of the Space Shuttle program and continues to be used for space launch programs today.
McChord's original charter number of "46039" (translated today as "PCR-WA-039") was specifically requested as an allusion to Launch Complex 39. Civil Air Patrol cadets are 'launched' forward into adulthood from McChord's own 'Launch Pad 39'.
Information provided by:
Lt Col Michael W Moore, CAP
Former Commander, McChord Composite Squadron
March 24, 2024
UNIT DATE NAME WA-000 RESERVE Sq WA-001 1979, June 26 WASHINGTON WING HQ WA-002 1971, January GREEN RIVER Sq CAP WA-003 (NE) SPOKANE Sq WA-004 1942, January WENATCHEE Sq WA-004 1956, December 11 WENATCHEE Sq WA-005 1981, November 9 TWIN W SENIOR Sq WA-007 1980, June 20 MT. RAINIER SENIOR Sq WA-011 1948, December 16 Moses Lake Sq WA-015 1982, October 29 BELLINGHAM Sq WA-018 (WC) SEATTLE Sq WA-019 1957, June 4 Olympia Senior Sq WA-019 1958, June 26 Olympia Sq (Senior) WA-019 Olympia Sq WA-021 (NE) FAIRCHILD AFB Sq WA-039 1973, January 12 MCCHORD AFB Sq WA-044 1941, December 1 YAKIMA Sq WA-046 1959, December 31 SKAGIT COUNTY Sq WA-049 (NW) PAINE FIELD Sq WA-050 (WC) OVERLAKE Sq WA-051 1981, July 23 PENINSULA Sq WA-068 1967, October 20 BOTHELL Sq C.A.P. WA-069 (WC) 1980, March 11 RENTON Comp Sq WA-070 1990, May MT ST HELENS FLIGHT WA-070 1989, August MT ST HELENS Sq WA-080 1973, January 31 FORT VANCOUVER Sq WA-082 1973, December 5 TRI-CITIES Sq WA-085 North Spokane Composite Squadron WA-090 1980, May 29 BLUE MOUNTAIN Sq WA-091 PORT ANGELES Sq WA-092 1992, June 1992 INTER-STATE Sq WA-093 1993, March 1993 ARLINGTON FLIGHT WA-100 2005, May 12 Northern Desert Sq WA-110 2006, January 27 Lewis County Sq WA-999 1997, July 31 WAWG LEGISLATIVE SQ
Information provided by:
Washington Wing Historian Department
Bellingham Composite Squadron
September 23, 2012