Scott Composite Squadron - Civil Air Patrol

03/27/2026

On March 26th, adult and cadet members from Civil Air Patrol - Illinois Wing's Group 5. toured Midway Airport. The tour was planned and coordinated by Cadet Capt. Ethan Gallagher of Compton Composite Squadron, in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Aviation.
The group toured Southwest Airlines' maintenance hangar and was granted a close-up view of aircraft taking off and landing at the one-square-mile airport nestled in the heart of a Chicago South Side neighborhood.
A special guest addressed the group with encouraging words. Managing Director Duane Hayden of the Chicago Department of Aviation oversees both Midway and O'Hare international airports. Mr. Hayden is a retired United States Air Force Colonel and served alongside Major Joe Long in the Illinois Air National Guard during Operation Desert Storm.
It was a fun educational day, one of many opportunities for Civil Air Patrol volunteers.
📸 &✏️ by Major Joe Long
Illinois Wing Standardization and Evaluation Officer
Group 5 Commander
Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

03/25/2026

We are proud to recognize the cadets who stepped up this season and invested in their growth as leaders. From the demands of officership training to the challenges of civic engagement, these cadets embraced every opportunity put in front of them and came back better for it. Their dedication reflects exactly the kind of character Lewis Composite Squadron works to develop.

December, 2025 C/Lt Col Tyler Miller completed training for Southwest Region Cadet Leadership School at Camp Swift, McDade, TX. RCLS is where cadets grow into officers. The course digs into officership, indirect leadership, and the values that define Phase III and IV leadership in CAP. Those who complete it come away sharper, more grounded, and ready to lead, not just within the squadron, but wherever life takes them. Cadets who have completed RCLS or COS qualify for the Eaker Award.

February, 2026 C/Lt Col Cassandra Eve Marvitz successfully graduated from the Civic Leadership Academy as a Distinguished Graduate in Washington, D.C., A highly selective NCSA, the CLA shapes cadet officers into civic-minded leaders. Graduates come away with practical tools to influence policy and engage their communities, a grounded sense of civic duty, and a real understanding of how government works at both the local and federal level.

March, 2026 C/Capt Alexander Jurak and C/CMSgt Tyler Radecki traveled to Scott AFB for Phoenix CLAW. Jurak completed the Commander’s Course, focused on developing Phase III/IV cadets to serve as Cadet Commanders. Radecki completed the Drill Master’s Course, preparing cadets to teach, train, and evaluate drill for Phase II/III cadets. Phoenix CLAW is an intensive program pushing cadets to excel in Drill and Ceremonies, grow as leaders and mentors, strengthen their public speaking and instructional abilities, and take the next step toward cadet officership and leading the squadron.

It’s incredible to see our cadets already achieving so much, just a few months into the year. The knowledge and experience gained across all these activities will be brought back to the squadron, enriching the entire cadet corps. Keep up the great work, and keep your eyes to the sky!

03/10/2026

A great guy who loved aviation and Civil Air Patrol

Friends are remembering the pilot and Illinois Civil Air Patrol volunteer who died in Wednesday evening's plane crash near Deerfield as a mechanically oriented man who would always lend a helping hand to anyone.

02/27/2026

If your children, 12 years old and up want awesome opportunities, Spring Encampment and Summer Encampments are great for learning leadership, time management, bed making. Clothes folding, keeping you are organized, marching, Air Force and Civil Air Patrol history. They'll have orientation flights, (not during Spring Encampment) physical fitness and more. Watch this message/video from C/Col Robertson the Spring Cadet Commander.

02/27/2026

Aerospace Education night at the squadron.

photos: cadet PAO E. Monroe

02/25/2026

Thank you for a great virtual legislative meeting Civil Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol - Illinois Wing with Illinois Congressman Sean Casten staff Member, Aaron Groce, Illinois Wing Cadet, and adult volunteers, presenting Civil Air Patrol's annual budget request and sharing their Civil Air Patrol Experiences.

02/25/2026

Great virtual legislative meetings Civil Air Patrol - Illinois Wing with Illinois Congressional Staff Members, Illinois Wing cadets, and adult volunteers, presenting Civil Air Patrol's annual budget request and sharing their Civil Air Patrol experiences .

02/23/2026

On 16 Feb 2026, Lewis Composite Squadron from Joliet, IL, participated in the Will County Kids' Fair to share about the Civil Air Patrol Programs and Missions.

02/16/2026

Civil Air Patrol - Lewis Composite Squadron Establishes New Home at Joliet Armory

JOLIET, Ill. - Civil Air Patrol’s Lewis Composite Squadron has officially moved its weekly operations to a new location at the Illinois National Guard Armory in Joliet, strengthening the organization’s presence in Will County and expanding opportunities for local youth and adult volunteers.

The squadron meets every Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the armory, located at 2900 W. Jefferson St., and uses the space for cadet leadership training, aerospace education, and emergency services preparation.

Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Its cadet program, open to youth ages 12 to 18, emphasizes leadership, character development, physical fitness, and STEM-based aerospace education. Adult volunteers support the program as mentors and assist with emergency services readiness and community activities.

Lt. Patrick Glover, squadron commander, said the new location offers a more structured environment to support cadet training and program growth. The squadron extends its sincere thanks to the Joliet National Guard for welcoming Civil Air Patrol into the armory.

Families, students, and educators interested in learning more about the cadet program or attending a meeting can find additional information through the squadron’s website (https://il329.cap.gov/) or email Squadron Commander, 2nd Lt. Patrick Glover ([email protected])

02/10/2026

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Samuel Ross, Mark Scifo, Cory Felts, Charles Bedrosian, Alexander Jurak, Joseph Ciochetto