Introduction

Civil Air Patrol was conceived in the late 1930s by legendary New Jersey aviation advocate Gill Robb Wilson, who foresaw aviation's role in war and general aviation's potential to supplement America's military operations. With the help of New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, the new Civil Air Patrol was established on December 1, 1941, just days before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

The CAP insignia, a red three-bladed propeller in the Civil Defense white-triangle-in-blue circle, began appearing on private aircraft everywhere. CAP’s initial focus was reconnaissance flying, but the civilian group's mission expanded when German submarines began to prey on American ships off the coast of the United States. In response, CAP planes began carrying bombs and depth charges. A CAP crew from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware was the first to interrupt a Nazi sub attack, saving a tanker off Cape May, New Jersey. Coastal patrol missions were dangerous work.

By the end of the war, CAP’s coastal patrol had flown 24 million miles. CAP found 173 submarines, attacked 57, hit 10, and sank two. A German commander later confirmed that coastal U-boat operations were withdrawn from the United States "because of those damned little red and yellow airplanes." By the end of the war, 64 CAP members had lost their lives in the line of duty.

Following the war, Congress created the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and designated CAP as its official civilian auxiliary in 1948.

The Sumter Senior Squadron was founded 10 Jan 1957.  Charter certificate can be seen here.   

By 24 July 1978 the squadron had been commissioned as a Composite Squadron. Charter certificate can be seen here.

 

I ran across an old Sumter Composite Squadron website that was still up. It was last updated 10 September 2003 by C/Captain Robert F. Long IV. You can look at it by going here.

I found an old picture taken in 2005, I only recognize one cadet, but it made me want to make sure we get a Squadron photo at least once a year.

On September 13, 2007 Capt Larry Nelson graduated from the MER Staff College. We are looking forward to sending a lot of our seniors to professional development classes over the next couple years.

Be sure to check out the article on the Flight Deck Restaurant written 16 December 2007 by Capt Larry Nelson here.

 

11 Nov 2008 The Sumter Composite Squadron Official Patch was approved today by SC Wing Commander Col Emerson Smith. A squadron patch had been considered for years, and for the last year the entire squadron got involved to make it happen. Thanks goes out to everyone that was part of this historic landmark.  For an explanation of the meaning to the emblem, click on the patch to the right. 

 

  4 Apr 09 The Sumter Composite Squadron has just received the Aerospace Education Excellence Award for 2008-2009.  Click the picture to the left to see the full image.

If you have a piece of history you would like to donate to the webpage, feel free to contact us.

 

 

25 Apr 2009 The Sumter Composite Squadron attended the Annual Middle East Region Conference.  Unaware to just about every one who attended, the conference had a couple of very special guest speakers.  Maj Gen Amy S. Courter and Col Mary Feik.   C/CMSgt Danielle Booker presented both Maj Gen Courter and Col Feik with the Sumter Composite Squadron official Challenge Coin. In return, both Maj Gen Courter and Col Fiek gave C/CMSgt Booker their autograph.

 

 

May 2009 Our squadron now has our own challenge coins.  The front side is the CAP Seal and on the back is the Sumter Composite Squadron patch. If you would like your own coin for your collection contact 1Lt Glenn Booker on how to order your own.

Sumter has had many success stories over the years, but the best is yet to come.  If you would like to be a part of history, please stop by and become a part of our squadron - there is a place for everyone.

CAP Meetings

The Civil Air Patrol Sumter Composite Squadron meet Tuesdays from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Sumter airport, in the blue and white building to the right of the T-hangers.

Alternate location is at the Sumter Army National Guard Armory.

For more information, call Capt. Larry Nelson at (803) 318-4823, or e-mail him at mersc075@earthlink.net