Sioux Falls Comp. Squadron Relocates Headquarters and Unveils New Patch
Sioux Falls Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), has officially relocated its headquarters from the Signature Aviation hangar at Sioux Falls Regional Airport to the Armory building at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance campus, marking a significant milestone in the squadron's continued growth and development.
The relocation took place on October 31 and November 1, with nearly a dozen squadron members volunteering their time to consolidate, transport, and organize accumulated furniture, equipment, and operational supplies. The move follows approximately six months of searching for a facility that could better accommodate the squadron's growing membership, operational requirements, and long-term financial sustainability.
Honoring the Past While Preparing for the Future
For nearly two decades, the squadron operated from its headquarters at Sioux Falls Regional Airport. The location served as an important foundation for the organization's aerospace education, cadet development, emergency services training, and community outreach activities.
However, several challenges made remaining at the airport increasingly impractical. Limited space restricted the squadron's ability to accommodate additional members, rental expenses increased from previously donated space to nearly $1,000 per month, and the facility lacked adequate accessibility for members, families, and visitors with disabilities.
"We are incredibly grateful to the members and leaders who worked tirelessly over the years to establish and maintain our headquarters at the airport," said Lt. Col. Tom Anez, commander of the Sioux Falls Composite Squadron. "Their dedication helped build the organization we have today. However, as our squadron continues to grow, we have a responsibility to ensure our facilities are accessible, financially sustainable, and capable of supporting our missions well into the future."
The search for a new headquarters ultimately led the squadron to the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, an organization with which CAP had already established a working relationship. For about five years, the squadron used the facility for once-monthly meetings and other activities.
"Because we already had a strong relationship with the Alliance and were familiar with the facility, the transition made sense," Anez said. "We were able to work together to develop an arrangement that benefits our members while providing a more sustainable headquarters for the future."
New Headquarters Expands Operational Capabilities
The squadron's new headquarters, located at 1700 West Russell Avenue, Suite 506, includes two dedicated rooms designed to support daily administration, emergency services operations, and communications activities. The first room serves as the squadron's operations center and provides office space for the Squadron Commander and Cadet Commander. During real-world emergency operations and training exercises, the room can be converted into an Incident Command Post to support mission coordination, planning, and operational leadership. The second room serves as the Logistics Office, housing much of the squadron's communications equipment, computers, radios, and other operational resources. During emergency responses and exercises, this space can function as a communications hub supporting mission personnel and operational coordination.
In addition to the dedicated office spaces, the squadron will continue utilizing the Alliance's larger meeting rooms for weekly cadet and adult member training.
"One of the most exciting aspects of this move is the opportunity to strengthen our operational readiness," Anez said. "We now have dedicated spaces that can transition from routine squadron administration to supporting emergency services missions and exercises. This allows us to better organize our resources, improve communications, and prepare our members to respond when our communities need us." The new location also provides improved accessibility, additional room for training activities, and reduced facility costs, allowing the squadron to direct more resources toward its members and mission.
New Squadron Patch Introduced Alongside Headquarters Move
The relocation also coincides with another significant milestone: introducing a newly designed squadron patch. As Civil Air Patrol transitions from the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) to the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform, the squadron identified the need to replace its existing patch, which no longer complied with current heraldry requirements. To develop a design that represented the squadron's identity, history, and mission, members participated in a patch design competition that generated more than a dozen submissions. After a review and selection process, a design submitted by C/Lt Col Ethan den Hoed advanced through CAP's formal heraldry approval process. After several modifications to meet regulatory requirements, the design received final approval from North Central Region Commander Col. Thomas Theis on September 1, 2026. The new patch officially took effect on November 1, coinciding with the headquarters relocation.
The updated insignia incorporates imagery representing the Sioux Falls community and the squadron's identity, along with the motto "Mission First, People Always."
"The new patch represents more than simply meeting uniform requirements," Anez explained. "It reflects who we are as a squadron, our connection to the Sioux Falls community, and our commitment to accomplishing the mission while taking care of our people. Introducing the patch at the same time as our headquarters relocation gives us an opportunity to celebrate our heritage while looking ahead to the future."
Building a Stronger Future
The headquarters relocation and introduction of the new squadron patch represent a new chapter for the Sioux Falls Composite Squadron as it continues to support Civil Air Patrol's three primary missions: emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs. With nearly 70 members, the squadron provides leadership development opportunities for youth, professional development for adult volunteers, and emergency services training to support local, state, and national response efforts. Anez emphasized that both initiatives reflect a commitment to long-term sustainability and organizational development.
"Our mission has not changed, but our ability to accomplish it continues to evolve," Anez said. "This move is about positioning our squadron for success over the next decade and beyond. We are grateful to everyone who made our former headquarters possible, to the volunteers who helped make this transition happen, and to the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance for welcoming us into their facility."
