Winchester Composite Squadron
Winchester Composite Squadron (Winchester, VA)
MAR-VA-040
Who We Are
The Winchester Composite Squadron is comprised of both cadets (12 to 21 years old) and senior members (18 and older). Our squadron currently has around 79 cadets and 37 senior members. Members of the Winchester Composite Squadron are citizens from all occupations who believe in helping their community. Our members live across the Shenandoah Valley including Shenandoah County, Warren County, Clarke County, Frederick County, Winchester City, as well as a few in the bordering counties in West Virginia.
Our Activities
We meet weekly on Tuesdays and our weekend activities vary month-to-month.
The agenda of our meetings vary on based on the fact that we serve three different, but equally important missions. Below is our monthly agenda of what we normally focus on each Tuesday.
Uniform | Senior Member Agenda | Cadet Agenda | |
First Tuesday | Blues | Education and Training | Character Development |
Second Tuesday | ABUs | Emergency Services | Emergency Services |
Third Tuesday | ABUs | Aerospace Education | Aerospace Education |
Fourth Tuesday | PTUs | Emergency Services Team Meetings | Physical Fitness |
Fifth Tuesday | TBD | Special Activity | Special Activity |
Meetings cancellations are based on Frederick County Public Schools (VA) cancellation policy. Depending on the situation, we may meet virtually instead.
Contact Us / Join
Have further questions? Want to learn more on how to join?
Email us at va040@vawg.cap.gov or call us at (540) 692-1443 (leave a voicemail) or complete this form.
You can also check out frequently asked questions for prospective cadets at this link or for prospective adults at this link.
Leadership
Commander: Maj. Jacob Bixler (jacob.bixler@vawg.cap.gov)
Deputy Commander for Seniors: Maj. Chuck Chandler (charles.chandler@vawg.cap.gov)
Deputy Commander for Cadets: Lt. Col. Matt Creese (matthew.creese@vawg.cap.gov)
Calendar
Follow Us!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@winchestervacap
Photos: https://photos.cap.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Region/Virginia-Wing/Squadrons/MAR-VA-040/
Old photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/winchestervacap/albums
In the News
Nov 21, 2023 - Winchester Elks Lodge Wreaths Across America Donation
Oct 28, 2023 - Winchester Civil Air Patrol cadet flies solo (Noah Keller)
Oct 26, 2023 - Maj Jacob Bixler speaks on Wreaths Across America Radio
Oct 18, 2023 - Winchester Civil Air Patrol celebrates chamber membership
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Sep 21, 2023 - JROTC cadets join C-17 orientation flight at Winchester Civil Air Patrol
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Sep 20, 2023 - Civil Air Patrol and Air Force JROTC cadets fly on C-17 cargo plane
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Sep 8, 2023 - Business Briefcase - Civil Air Patrol leader honored
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Sep 4, 2023 - Virginia Wing Aerospace Educator receives National Recognition
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Aug 31, 2023 - DOZENS OF CADETS COME TO LAUREL RIDGE FOR CIVIL AIR PATROL’S DRONE INDUSTRY NIGHT
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Aug 31, 2023 - Taking flight: Laurel Ridge Community College, Civil Air Patrol partner at drone demo
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Apr 9, 2023 - Outstanding Civil Air Patrol cadets recognized by Veterans of Foreign Wars
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Mar 16, 2023 - Civil Air Patrol to conduct emergency services training on Saturday (Winchester Star) (NV Daily Link)
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Dec 12, 2022 - Winchester Civil Air Patrol flies solo [Simpson]
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Dec 9, 2022 - 2022 National Wreaths Across America Day at Winchester National Cemetery
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Oct 21, 2022 - Winchester Civil Air Patrol cadet flies solo [Emiroglu] (Winchester Star link)
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Aug 29, 2022 - Civil Air Patrol members fly on C-17 cargo plane
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Jul 20, 2022 - Winchester Civil Air Patrol member recognized as exceptional instructor pilot
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Jun 22, 2022 - Winchester Civil Air Patrol flies solo [Selznick]
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Jun 24, 2022 - Royal Examiner - Linden Civil Air Patrol cadet recognized as outstanding noncommissioned officer
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Apr 18, 2022 - Winchester Star - Winchester Regional Airport Authority receives 2021 Frank G. Brewer Memorial Aerospace Education Award
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Nov 12, 2021 - Winchester Civil Air Patrol CyberPatriot Team Lands in Top 10 for state from first competition round
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Nov 10, 2021 - All VA CAP units earn 2021 Aerospace Education Achievement Award
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Sep 17, 2021 - 2021 Quality Cadet Unit Award Recipients
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Oct 11, 2021 - High Altitude Balloon Challenge
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May 20, 2021 - Future pilots are being trained at Civil Air Patrol's Winchester Composite Squadron
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Dec 18, 2020 - 16 Virginia units earn quality cadet unit award
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Oct 28, 2020 - Winchester Wreaths Across America Ceremony adjusted amid COVID-19 challenges
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Jun 9, 2020 - Virginia Civil Air Patrol accepts challenge
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Dec 2, 2019 - ANG - Citizen Airman serves in Air National Guard and Civil Air Patrol
Wreaths Across America
Each year our squadron coordinates a wreath laying ceremony through the Wreaths Across America (WAA) program for our nation's veterans. Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. We participate in their mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, in taking part of a wreath laying ceremony on the third Saturday of December, while this very same event occurs in veteran cemeteries at other locations and in all 50 states. We lay wreaths at the Winchester National Cemetery, honoring and remembering our nation's veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us.
This event is made possible by the donations of individual wreath sponsors, corporate donors and volunteer truckers. No government funding is received.
Winchester National Cemetery has 5,561 graves.
Please email us at winchester-waa@vawg.cap.gov with any inquiries related to WAA.
Nov 21, 2023 - Winchester Elks Lodge Wreaths Across America Donation
Oct 26, 2023 - Maj Jacob Bixler speaks on Wreaths Across America Radio
2022 - 1,675 wreaths sponsored (click here for photos from the event)
2021
2020
2019 - 3,033 wreaths sponsored
2018 - 1,600 wreaths sponsored
2017 - 1,500 wreaths sponsored
2016 - 2,500 wreaths sponsored
2015 - 612 wreaths sponsored
In the News:
- Winchester Star, December 13, 2022: Thousands of wreaths donated to honor veterans
- The River 95.3 December 16, 2022: National Wreaths Across America Day in Winchester
- Northern VA Daily December 14, 2022: Community News: Dec. 14
- Virginia Wing Dec 9, 2022: 2022 National Wreaths Across America Day at Winchester National Cemetery
- Winchester Star, December 16, 2019: Record number of holiday wreaths placed in National Cemetery
- Local DVM, December 14, 2019: Despite the rain, crowds gathered in Winchester to honor veterans
- Winchester Star, December 17, 2017: Taking the time to honor veterans
- Local DVM, December 17, 2016: WAA at Winchester National Cemetery
- US Army Corps of Engineers, December 12, 2011: Middle East District Deputy Commander Participates in 20th Wreaths Across America
CyberPatriot
Our squadron is honored to compete in the Air Force Association's CyberPatriot, the national youth cyber education program, for the last several years.
Click here for photos where we competed in the state round in December 2022.
Click here for an article from 2021, being in the top 10 from the state round.
High Altitude Balloon Challenge
Our squadron participated in the high altitude balloon challenge in 2021 and 2022.
Click here for 2022 experiment video.
Click here for 2021 experiment video.
(Click here for 2021 news release)
American Rocketry Challenge
Our squadron is participating in the 2024 American rocketry challenge. Stay tuned for updates!
Unit Awards and Recognition
Squadron of Merit: 2022
Quality Cadet Unit Award: 7 times, the last five years in a row (2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) (Click here for 2021 news release)
Aerospace Education Achievement Award: The last two years in a row (2021, 2022) (Click here for 2021 news release)
VAWG Commander's Challenge: 3rd Place - 2020, 1st Place - 2021 (Click here for 2020 news release)
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