Thunder Composite Squadron
- Home
- United States
- Monee, IL
- Thunder Composite Squadron
The official page for GLR-IL-317
Civil Air Patrol is the nonprofit auxiliary of the US Air Force
Address
8261 S. Kedzie Avenue , Bult Field
Monee, IL
60449
Alerts
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Thunder Composite Squadron posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Share
Category
Our Story
Thunder Composite Squadron was established on July 8, 1985 by Bill Strawbridge, who served as the first Unit Commander. The Unit met at the Jones Memorial Center in Chicago Heights as a way to help the youth in the area who were primarily poor. By working with five service-type organizations in the area, he was able to provide first year dues and uniforms for the new cadets at no charge to get them interested in the program.
The Unit started with 12 Cadets and some Seniors from the nearby Chicago Heights Senior Squadron. The Unit moved to the Chicago Heights Fitness Center soon after it was chartered as grew to 44 members before he left command to move up to Wing Headquarters as the Wing Safety Officer.
The Unit was named after his dog “Thunder”.
Capt Strawbridge was also a Civil Air Patrol cadet from 1943 through 1945 and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force as a Meteorologist.
