What is a Squadron?
A squadron is the basic unit of Civil Air Patrol; the Cub Scouts would call this a den. A squadron must have at least 15 members and can grow to as large as the building they meet in can hold. Currently, the Southeast Minnesota Composite Squadron in Rochester has 39 Cadets and 20 Seniors (59 Members) whereas the Worthington Composite Squadron has nine cadets and ten seniors (19 Members).
Squadrons are designated by the type of membership they have and are commonly named for the geographic area or town where they are located. Cadet squadrons consist of mostly cadets, with a few seniors guiding the way. Senior squadrons have only senior members and no cadets. Composite squadrons have both seniors and cadets.
Minnesota has 22 squadrons throughout the state.
A state is designated as a wing. If the wing has a large number of squadrons - like Minnesota has - they may have a Group structure. This helps the Wing Commander support and manage the squadrons. Minnesota has four groups. Group IV (located across the southern half of Minnesota) consists of seven squadrons:
- Mankato Composite Squadron
- Owatonna Composite Squadron
- Pipestone Senior Squadron
- Red Wing Composite Squadron
- Southeast Minnesota Composite Squadron
- Stanton Composite Squadron
- Worthington Composite Squadron
(Current as of 06 Oct 19)