Squadron History
***Disclaimer*** This page is still under construction and some information is missing. Our squadron, group, and wing historians are working diligently to provide accurate and updated information. This page will continue to be updated as this information becomes available. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding.
Shortly after World War II in 1947, Dr. Everett Jeter formed the Williamson County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol located in Marion, Illinois. In December 2011, the squadron adopted the Shawnee Composite Squadron name after the Metropolis Composite Squadron and Williamson County Composite Squadron merged to create one "super squadron". For exactly one year, the squadron was holding weekly meetings in two locations; Marion, IL and Brookport, IL. After that year, the former members of the Metropolis Composite Squadron was able to reform a unit again and became the Ohio River Flight. The Shawnee Composite Squadron was awarded the Illinois Wing Ground Team of the Year in 2014, as well as being honored with the Unit Citation Award in that same year. In 2015, the Shawnee Composite Squadron became the third largest squadron in Illinois and won the 2015 Illinois Wing Recruiting Competition as well as all subcategories of it.
National Quality Cadet Unit Award: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
Aerospace Education Excellence Award: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Squadron Commanders
- Unknown, 1947 - ?
- Rex Presson, ? - 1967
- Thomas Wimberly, 1967 - ?
- Unknown, ? - 90's
- Jack Whitlock, 90's
- Ralph Arnold, 90's
- Capt. Rodney France, ? - 1996
- Unknown, 1996 - 1997
- Capt. Aaron Jones, 1997 - 2000
- Capt. Joseph Poole, 2000 - 2004
- Capt. Kirk Thirtyacre, 2004 - 2007
- 1st Lt. Sam Nance, 2007 - 2008
- Maj. Harlan Drew, 2008
- 1st Lt. Jeanette Chamberlain, 2008
- Capt. Steven Goetz, 2008 - 2011
- Maj. Wesley Flannell, 2011 - 2015
- Maj. Evan Youngblood, 2015 - Current
Squadron Patch Heraldry
The background is dark blue and gray, split in half down the middle. The dark blue represents our tie to the US Air Force, and it shows our dedication to the highest level of integrity. The gray shows our lasting commitment of respect for others and our pledge to serve our community. The white field at the base represents the combination of both sides into one team, contained in the field is the state of Illinois. We are one squadron, within one Illinois Wing, within one Civil Air Patrol.
The upsweep on either side of the white field represents the Shawnee Composite Squadron and all other past local squadrons that have joined with the Shawnee Composite Squadron. They join together at the base of the wings and form into one, straight upward line, representing our upward direction as one unified squadron. The red signifies an attitude of Valor and Unity of the new consolidated squadron. The twelve stars at the top represent the former Group 12, the former commanding group over the southernmost area of Illinois Wing, the area of which our squadron is now located. The Tri-Prop rests atop the base of the wings. The central CAP emblem represents our three primary missions.
Colors: Dark Blue: Often associated with depth and stability. It also represents knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness. We are excellent and professional in all that we do. White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, and purity. It is considered to be the color of perfection, our goal overall. Red is associated with valor, strength, pride, willpower and passion, all traits we wish to portray as a new, unified squadron. Gray is a color of balance. It is associated with calmness, determination, and stability. Gray also personifies stability and commitment; these are our aims of command, to be calm and in control in all situations.
