Flying Castle Composite Squadron Heraldry (OK008)
FLYING CASTLE COMPOSITE SQUADRON
OKLAHOMA WING, CIVIL AIR PATROL
U.S. AIR FORCE AUXILIARY
Purpose: To establish and maintain compliance with CAP heraldic standards for unit emblems as established in CAPR 110-3, Civil Air Patrol Heraldry Program.
Historical Significance: The Flying Castle Composite Squadron is the oldest continuously operating composite squadron within Oklahoma Wing, first chartered on 7 Feb 1980 with deep ties to nearby Tinker Air Force Base. Originally called Tinker Squadron, many founding members of the unit were also active-duty USAF members of the 552nd Air Control Wing, based at Tinker Air Force Base and charged with flying the mighty E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System. The new emblem is a companion insignia to the 552nd Air Control Wing emblem design.
Heraldry: The components of this new design and their symbolism are described below:
The Rotodome: Harkens directly to the 30-foot black-and-white striped “rotodome” of the AN/APY-2 radar mounted on top of the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft operated by the 552d ACW. Located as the vertically aligned background for the design, it represents a 360-degree coverage monitoring capability which embodies forthrightness and the Civil Air Patrol motto “Semper Vigilans” - Always Vigilant.
The Flying Castle Battlement Motif: Silver/Gray winged chess rook, one wing to dexter top and one to sinister top and is a partial shared element of the 552d ACW emblem. The silver-gray winged battlement recalls the heritage Civil Air Patrol mission: to guard our nation’s borders with air power. Moreover, the silver-gray color combination represents our volunteerism and dedication to the organization and reflects the silver-gray background color of the Civil Air Patrol seal. Blue is the color of the United States Air Force representing “the sky”, the primary theater of operations and our relationship with and support of the branch, which we are affiliated as an auxiliary. Six symmetrical feathers represent the six US AWACS squadrons that operate the venerable E-3 Sentry aircraft.
Done on this day, the third day of June, two thousand twenty-six.
Design: SMSgt. Richard Embree
Artwork: 2nd Lt. Aubrey Williams
Reviewed by NHQ Historian Staff: Lt. Col. Seth Hudson, May 1st, 2026
Approved by Oklahoma Wing Commander: Col. David McCollum, June 3rd, 2026
