Civil Air Patrol Squadron Celebrates 55 Years of Service

On April 21, 1965, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) officially chartered its newest cadet squadron in Maryland. Under the leadership of CAP Lt. William R. Hicks and supported by a core group of cadet and senior members (adults), the squadron quickly grew and began its service to the community, state, and Nation.

In less than a decade, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Cadet Squadron became one of the largest in the region and was named a CAP Squadron of Distinction in recognition of its outstanding cadet program in 1974. CAP Lt. Hicks highlighted four building blocks that led to the squadron’s success. They included a cadet program that is "run by Cadets for Cadets," the support of a small group of senior members dedicated to a cadet-run program, a strong cadet staff, and having cadets that are invested in what Civil Air Patrol stands for.

These same four building blocks laid a foundation that decades of different leaders have built from to develop a vibrant, well-rounded, and growing organization. Today, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron is the largest and one of the most diverse squadrons in Maryland. With members from across the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Squadron prides itself in having a program that develops leaders and people of character. The Squadron has an active ground team that participates in emergency services missions to include overdue aircraft/missing person searches, disaster relief efforts, and is even currently supporting Montgomery County's Covid-19 response. A dedicated team of senior members and cadets continuously foster a S.T.E.M. culture among members and the community through aerospace education classes/activities/demonstrations/trips and participation in the CyberPatriot Competition. Cadet members of the squadron develop their leadership/communication skills through CAP's leadership curriculum and by applying themselves while leading their fellow cadets and serving on cadet staff.

Happy 55th Anniversary to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron and all those cadets and senior members who have served or are currently serving in the Squadron. The Squadron will hold formal celebrations later this year.

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The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron meets every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Montgomery County Public Safety Headquarters located at 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. For more information visit www.bcc-cap.org. You can also follow the squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BCCMD071 or follow @BCCMD071 on Instagram.

Nearly 1,500 members serve in Civil Air Patrol's Maryland Wing. Last year, wing members flew 13 actual search and rescue missions. Overall, the Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland, flying 2,245 hours in all mission categories, and was credited with four finds. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For information, contact the Maryland Wing at mdwg.cap.gov or follow the wing on Facebook.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force's Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 82 lives annually. CAP's 61,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 25,000 young people participating in CAP's Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for information.