La Crosse Composite Squadron

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The La Crosse Composite Squadron

The La Crosse Composite Squadron is made up of volunteers who desire to serve their nation through a love of aviation and community service.

Our members come from a wide age range and all backgrounds. There are a number of pilots among our ranks; however, being a pilot is not a requirement for membership. In fact, only about 10 per cent of all CAP members nationally are pilots. We are also widespread, with squadron members coming from communities throughout southwest Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota.

All in all, we combine our individual talents and come together for a common purpose, which is to serve our country by fulfilling the four missions of Civil Air Patrol: Cadet Programs, Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Homeland Security.

How can I serve?

When was the last time you searched for a downed aircraft, a lost hiker, or a missing boater? How did you feel when you were just a few steps away from the Blue Angels' jets, ensuring the safety of over 17,000 people at an airshow? What was it like the first time you flew in a four seat aircraft, and then the pilot let you take the controls for a while? What did it mean to you, participating in a color guard at the last Memorial Day, Maple Leaf, Torchlight, or July 4th parade?

Perhaps you are thinking to yourself, “I’ve never done anything like that.” Well, the La Crosse Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol does all of that, and much more! Contact or stop by our squadron at La Crosse Municipal Airport to find out how YOU can participate in these types of activities all while serving your community and your country.

Squadron News

Squadron receives a thank you from stranded Army unit

November 16, 2011 By Maj Todd Mandel Leave a Comment

The La Crosse Composite Squadron meets in a facility that once served as the airport administrative building. In its day, the squadron’s facility served as the hub of the airport, receiving passengers and providing a place for others to wait for their flight. Little did the squadron members know that from 17-19 July the building [...]

Cadet Geiwitz emerges from Frosty's belly

Squadron members participate in holiday tradition

November 16, 2011 By Maj Todd Mandel Leave a Comment

Members of the La Crosse Composite Squadron recently lent their skills and labor to a Coulee Region holiday tradition. Rotary Lights provides holiday season entertainment to more than 200,000 visitors each year in Riverside Park located in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin. The holiday light display is comprised of more than one million holiday lights. Throughout [...]

Logan Middle School students visit the squadron

July 30, 2011 By Maj Todd Mandel Leave a Comment

Fifteen Hmong students from Logan Middle School’s summer enrichment program recently spent an afternoon at the La Crosse Composite Squadron facility learning about aviation, aircraft, and Civil Air Patrol. The session was the brainchild of Capt Ralph Whiting and Tom Yang, a science teacher at Logan Middle School. The students received a briefing about Civil [...]

EAA Airventure Oshkosh

July 30, 2011 By Maj Todd Mandel Leave a Comment

Five cadets and three senior members recently made the pilgrimage to the EAA Airventure Oshkosh. The airshow is one of the premiere general aviation airshows in the world, boasting more than 10,000 general aviation fly-ins. Cadets and seniors had the chance to get up close to a variety of “warbird” aircraft including P-38 Lightings, P-51 Mustangs, B-25 [...]

Cadet Brennan participates in Air Force Advanced Pararescue Orientation Course

July 25, 2011 By Maj Todd Mandel Leave a Comment

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Second Lieutenant John Brennan, 16, from Onalaska plunged into the exciting world of U.S. Air Force Pararescue at the Air Force Advanced Pararescue Orientation Course held July 13-20 at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. The advanced pararescue orientation course, known as APJOC, exposes cadets to the training and daily life of [...]