The St. George Composite Squadron (UT-024) provides specialized training and leadership development for youth and adults in Southern Utah, focusing on the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program through weekly meetings held at the National Guard Armory.
Weekly Meeting Schedule
The squadron, which operates under the command of Captain Derek Lewis, maintains a membership structure that prioritizes cadets and their sponsors or parents. As a composite squadron, the unit's primary mission involves advancing youth through the CAP Cadet Program via structured weekly meetings.
Meetings are held on Thursdays at the National Guard Armory, located at 1710 E. Commerce Dr. in St. George. The squadron maintains separate schedules for different age groups: cadets meet from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., while senior members meet from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Youth Leadership and Development
The Cadet Program is designed for individuals between the ages of 12 and 18 who are interested in careers involving aviation, space, or the military. The year-round curriculum is built upon four core elements: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character development.
By participating in these four pillars, cadets work toward various achievements, earning increased responsibilities and honors. The program aims to transform youth into dynamic citizens and aerospace leaders, providing skills such as self-confidence and discipline to prepare them for future life goals. The Civil Air Patrol notes that many notable astronauts, pilots, engineers, and scientists began their professional journeys through the CAP program.
Diverse Adult Membership Roles
While many associate the Civil Air Patrol primarily with flying missions, the organization emphasizes that less than one-fifth of its total membership consists of pilots or aircrew members. Adult members represent a wide variety of professional backgrounds, including educators, lawyers, electricians, clergy, retail workers, truck drivers, and retirees.
Adult members contribute to the squadron through diverse roles, ranging from day-to-day operations like managing finances and equipment inventory to emergency services. In emergency operations, members assist with communications, the transportation of goods, photography, and the distribution of food and water.
STEM and Aerospace Education
The squadron also offers specialized engagement for educators through the Aerospace Education Member category. This membership is intended for those teaching in classrooms, museums, libraries, or homeschools who wish to promote aerospace and STEM education.
Educators gain access to various free opportunities, including K-12 curriculum materials and STEM kits. Additionally, the program offers unique opportunities such as teacher orientation flights aboard Cessna aircraft at local airports.
Community Mission and Impact
The St. George Composite Squadron is part of the Utah Wing and works to make a difference throughout St. George and the broader Southern Utah region. The organization's mission is centered on volunteers serving American communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
Organizational Partnerships
The squadron operates as part of a larger network involving the Civil Air Patrol-USAF, the 1st Air Force, and the Rocky Mountain Region. It also maintains partnerships with organizations such as Cisco NetAcademy and the Wendover Air Base's Historical Society.
