Carolyn A Guertin Cadet Squadron
Carolyn A. Guertin Cadet Squadron (Richmond, VA)
Who We Are
We are the only Cadet Squadron in Virginia Wing. We currently have 20 Cadets of which 15 are active on a regular basis. We have 9 Seniors if which 5 are active on a regular basis. The Squadron was formed in the early 1950's by our name sake Col. Carolyn Guertin.
Where We Meet
We are now back at the Gardner Waller Depot Armory
The address is 5001 Waller Rd, Richmond, VA 23230
We meet on Thursday Nights from 6:30 to 9:00
Contact Us / Join
Have further questions? Want to visit or contact us? Please email us at caginterest@vawg.cap.gov and we will be in touch with you as soon as we can.
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Squadron History
The Carolyn A. Guertin Cadet Squadron is the only Cadet Chartered Squadrons in the Virginia Wing of Civil Air Patrol. Carolyn A. Guertin Cadet Squadron was originally named "Richmond Cadet Squadron Two" in the 1950’s. Was then changed to West Richmond Cadet Squadron (not exactly sure when) and then was renamed after Lt. Col. Guertin in March 2019 in honor of her service to Civil Air Patrol.
Carolyn A. Guertin Cadet Squadron is honored have Lt. Col. Carolyn Guertin as a member. Lt. Col. Guertin joined Civil Air Patrol in December 1941 and is therefore one of the valued charter members. Her original membership number was 11, and she was the first Commander of “Richmond Cadet Squadron Two”. She could not join immediately in December 1941 (which is when Civil Air Patrol was officially chartered by Congress) because she had to wait until at least ten men had joined. Since joining in 1941, she has continuously maintained her membership with no break in service.
On December 10, 2014, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to Civil Air Patrol for its service during WWII. During that time, Civil Air Patrol conducted coastal patrols looking for German U-boats that were off the U.S Eastern Seaboard trying to sink shipping vessels. Civil Air Patrol carried bombs on their aircraft and dropped them when they saw a U-boat. Civil Air Patrol had two confirmed submarine kills in WWII. Civil Air Patrol was so effective that the Germans eventually gave up their patrols. Interestingly, one German officer is said to have expressed his irritation over the Civil Air Patrol planes by referring to them as “damn yellow planes". Civil Air Patrol also saved countless lives during the war by calling to obtain help for vessels in distress. A Civil Air Patrol Coastal Patrol Base is in Parksley, Virginia, on the Eastern Shore.
On June 29th, 2020, Lt. Col. Guertin was officially promoted to the rank of Colonel by National Headquarters for her years of service with no break in membership. Col. Guertin never served as a Wing Commander but held many Wing level positions over the year. She once said, she never wanted to be a Wing Commander because she could she never wanted to stop working the cadets. Also, on June 29th, 2020, the Governor of Virginia officially proclaimed June 29th as Carolyn A. Guertin Day in recognition of her years of service to the Commonwealth and to Civil Air Patrol.
On Aug 8th, 2020, we lost Col. Guertin after many years of failing health. She leaves behind a legacy of wanting to learn anything she could. She inspired both cadets and seniors over the years to strive for their goals and never give up. She is missed greatly.
Over the years, Civil Air Patrol has evolved into an organization that provides emergency services (i.e., searches for lost persons and planes within the Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico) and trains cadets in leadership and aerospace skills. Civil Air Patrol is proud to follow Air Force style customs and courtesies.
By joining Civil Air Patrol, you join an organization that is deeply rooted in a tradition of volunteerism and service to the community, state, and nation.
Squadron motto: CAG All the Way!
Welcome aboard!
