Over a dozen members of the Olive Branch Composite Squadron dedicated their Saturday morning to serving their local community. The mix of Senior Members and Cadets reported for duty to clean up a 2 mile stretch of Goodman Rd (Hwy 302) between Hacks Cross Rd and Germantown Rd.

Volunteer service is a core value of the Civil Air Patrol and participating in the Adopt-A-Highway Program is another example of how the members of the Squadron can be a part of the community we serve. The Adopt-A-Highway program is an innovative solution to Mississippi's highway litter problem that has been implemented across the country. It provides private and civic organizations such as the Olive Branch Composite Squadron with the opportunity to become involved in the preservation of our state’s natural beauty. Through the unit's participation, we gain the satisfaction of contributing to our community and state, and generating positive recognition for the group’s service activities.

The Squadron has committed to performing the clean-up at least four times a year. For information on the Adopt-A-Highway Program in Mississippi visit the Mississippi Dept. of Transportation.

During the actual Open House, the squadron had a booth for informational and recruiting purposes along with a static display of two CAP aircraft assigned to the unit. The cadets of the Squadron also played a larger role holding demonstrations of CAP search and rescue gear and practicing ELT searches on the airport ramp.

The Squadron also held a raffle for a print of the Memphis Belle. The print, signed by the entire crew of the Memphis Belle, was donated by CAP member Jim Harris who is also Chairman of the Memphis Belle association. The Association is dedicated to the preservation of the famous airplane and proceeds of the raffle will go toward support of the Squadron.

The Fly-In was a great success to everyone who participated and plans are already in the works for next year.

Outgoing Commander Maj. Carlton Sumner is taking the position of Vice Commander of the Mississippi Wing, under the command of Wing Commander Col. Tim Carol. New Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Carl Kretzer accepted Command of the Squadron from Maj. Sumner at the ceremony.

This is Lt. Col Kretzer's second time commanding the members of the Olive Branch Composite Squadron.

Congratulations to all these supporters of Civil Air Patrol's Missions for America!

The Squadron is pleased to announce that the final steps in updating our corporate identity are complete. The unit has officially changed its name from the "North Mississippi Composite Squadron" to "The Olive Branch Composite Squadron". This name more closely identifies the squadron with city in which we are based and the community we most directly serve.

The identity update included not only the name change, but also the adoption of a new squadron patch which will also serve as our logo. Initiated by the cadets and lead by PA Officer Paul Kloehn, the squadron looks forward to meeting the expectations set by our new motto: First in the air. First on the Ground!