Danville, VA – Virginia Wing has named the Danville Composite Squadron the state's 2003 Squadron of the Year.

Squadron Commander Maj. Eugene F. Jackson made the announcement to the squadron’s 84 members Thursday night at the Danville Regional Airport terminal.

Virginia Wing also named Jackson as the state's 2003 Squadron Commander of the Year.

Thirty squadrons make up CAP’s Virginia Wing.

“It’s an honor to lead a squadron of this caliber, and with this level of enthusiasm,” said Major Jackson. “Just a few years ago we were struggling for our survival. We almost closed our doors.”

The award recognizes total squadron membership, its growth rate in the last 12 months, cadet achievements, cadet encampment attendance and cadet orientation flight participation.

The squadron boasts an increase in membership in just the last six months of more than 20 members, senior and cadet. The squadron had doubled it’s size in the last year and grew from just 13 members six years ago to this week’s membership of 84.

“We are receiving new membership applications at each meeting,” said Jackson. “Our recruiting efforts are predominantly word-of-mouth, and I think this shows that our current members are enthusiastic about what we’re doing and that they’re getting the word to their friends and associates.”

Twenty cadets received hour-long orientation flights in a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 172R search and rescue airplane during the first week of October. Each cadet member receives five one-hour orientation flights in the front-seat of a CAP powered aircraft, and five one-hour orientation flights in a CAP glider. During the powered flights, cadets are introduced to basic flight maneuvers, navigation, weather and flight safety. The U.S. Air Force pays all costs associated with the CAP cadet orientation flights.

As the Danville squadron continues to grow, members are looking forward to taking a more active role in other CAP missions, such as search and rescue and homeland defense.

The state honor places the Danville squadron in the running for the CAP Squadron of Distinction Program, awarded to one squadron from each of the eight CAP regions. Of those, one squadron is nominated to receive national recognition.

The Civil Air Patrol is a benevolent, non-profit organization performing humanitarian services on behalf of the U.S. Air Force. In addition to its missions with young people, CAP members fly search and rescue, counter-drug, disaster relief and homeland security missions.

Danville’s squadron was activated in April 1950. Members of the Danville Composite Squadron meet Thursday nights from 7-9 p.m. at the Danville Regional Airport.