Our History
In the Beginning
The squadron, originally chartered as CAP Squadron 918-4, was first organized in early February of 1942. Its first commander, actor Robert Cummings, was particularly qualified for command, being not only the godson of Orville Wright, but having received his initial flight instruction under the tutelage of the famed pioneer. This provided the squadron with a direct link to First Flight. He was also the original ownwr and operator of a vintage 1936 Porterfield aircraft named Spinach as well as a Cessna 165 Airmaster called Spinach II. It was Spinach II that he utilized while flying with the Civil Air Patrol.
The Milk Factory
The squadron was initially based out of Los Angeles-Glendale Grand Terminal Airport. Its headquarters was located at the nearby Golden State Dairy Building on San Fernando Road. Burbank Senior High School was often used as a training facility in order to conduct classes in Meteorology, Aircraft Engines, Advanced Navigation, Communications and Morse code.
Operating under the authority of the Civil Defense Agency, it conducted a variety of activities in support of American military forces and national defense. These included Southern Liaison (Border) Patrol, Personnel Transport, Search and Rescue, Airport Security, Forestry Patrol and Courier Flights.
On the 23rd of February 1942, aircraft from Squadron 918-4, led by Cummings, went in search of the I-17, a Japanese submarine that had shelled an oil refinery at Goleta, California. This mission actually pre-dated the CAP coastal patrol operations on the Atlantic and Gulf coast seaboard that operated From March, 1942 until July, 1943. Though unarmed, the squadron’s intent was to locate the enemy and guide naval and air forces to any targets sighted. Unfortunately, the Japanese submarine had already withdrawn from the area and was on its way back home.
In April of 1943, the Civil Air Patrol was placed under the operational control of the U. S. Army Air Force. It continued to conduct missions in support of National Defense. This included towing targets for the Army during Anti-Aircraft Gunnery Training. In 1945 CAP became the official auxiliary of the Army Air Force. The squadron was re-numbered as CAP Squadron 35 with Bob Cummings continuing his role as commander under the new designation.
Whiteman Air Park
Following World War II, the Civil Air Patrol was chartered as a Non-Profit Public Service Corporation by the United States Congress and reorganized in 1947. That next year, 1948 it was designated as the official civilian Auxiliary to the newly formed United States Air Force. It was assigned three principal missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and Cadet Programs. Sometime between the end of the war and 1949 the Squadron moved its home base to the newly established Whiteman Airpark in Pacoima, California. It remained there until a disagreement with the Whiteman family who owned the facility forced a move to San Fernando Airport in 1957. Once there, California Wing merged Squadron 35 with Squadron 49, the Falcon Squadron. Squadron 49 was deactivated and the newly combined unit was re-chartered as San Fernando Airport Senior Squadron 35.
Termite Towers
Upon moving to San Fernando Airport, the squadron built a base facility consisting of two World War II Quonset huts and a wooden tower which the members quickly dubbed “Termite Towers.” In the 50’s and early 60‘s, at the height of the Cold War, Squadron 35 was assigned the additional responsibility of conducting Airborne Radiological Monitoring for both the military and the civil government in the event of a Nuclear Attack on the west coast. Much to everyone’s relief, this particular duty was never carried out other than as a part of local Civil Defense Drills and training.
In October of 1962, the members of Squadron 35 planned and partially implemented an emergency deployment of CAP resources during the Cuban Missile Crisis. A forward staging area at Mojave Airport was activated, but fortunately never utilized. Squadron 35’s volunteers once again proved themselves ready to respond to duty on a moment’s notice.
It was during this period of time that Squadron 35 became well-known in the aviation community for operating a fleet of 12 North American T-6/SNJ-5 Texans, 3 Vultee BT-13 Valiants, (Nicknamed the Vultee Vibrators), 2 Beechcraft C-45 Expeditors, 1 Stinson V-77 Reliant and 1 Piper L-4 Grasshopper. These aircraft logged over 12,000 hours of search mission time accounting for 70% of the ‘finds’ made by CAP in the Southern California area. With the exception of the Squadron owned L-4, these aircraft were all member-owned and maintained. As a mark of unity some members painted their aircraft the same yellow and red colors used by CAP in World War II, with a few minor personal touches.
One group of pilots even established a four aircraft flight demonstration team known as the Kittyhawks. Though they did not perform acrobatics, they did conduct formation fly-overs at a number of aviation events, and occasionally at the request of the California National Guard, conducted mock air-raids against Guard units during training exercises throughout 1960s. Occasionally Squadron 35 was asked to perform escort missions for vintage aircraft being flown from home fields to regional air shows. Throughout this time the squadron was often referred to by another name, the 35th Air Rescue Squadron, USAF Auxiliary.
During the early 70’s, the squadron’s T-6s were replaced by two more fuel efficient and economical Cessna 0-1 Bird Dogs. Many of the old Texans were sold or transferred to Van Nuys Senior Squadron 135. This unit, known as The Condor Squadron, had been chartered in the 1960’s as both a Civil Air Patrol unit and a private T-6 club, allowing them to continue using the venerable Texans for search and rescue through the 1980s. This group still operates out of Van Nuys Airport, but not as a Civil Air Patrol squadron.
Whiteman Base
Two major changes occurred in the 1980’s. In 1985, San Fernando Airport was closed and the squadron took up residence once more at Whiteman Airport which was now under the control of Los Angeles County. The Quonset huts that made up the old San Fernando Base facility were sold to the film industry and have been featured in a number of movies. A set of three trailers were purchased and repurposed from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for use as a squadron base. A fourth trailer was added several months later and a fifth trailer was added in 1990 as a communications trailer. It was decommissioned after an LAPD vehicle collided with it while practicing “combat driving techniques” and broke its back in 1995.
The second change was that the now veteran Cessna 0-1 Bird Dogs were replaced by a Cessna C-182R Skylane, affectionately named the “Roadrunner” in honor of the Squadron 35 logo. A second C-182 was added in the late-eighties and was eventually replaced by a Cessna U-206 Stationair for use in not only search and rescue, but light air transport missions as well. Both aircraft averaged in excess of 400 hours per year on training and Emergency Service Missions.
In 2003, Squadron 35 was assigned the first S.D.I.S. or Satellite Digital Imaging System in Pacific Region. The program was supervised by Lynn “Woody” McCauley who helped establish training criteria and system use guidelines. The equipment was placed in the Cessna U-206, CAP406; better known by her nickname, “Coyote.” Squadron members pioneered the training program and application of this new technology. Additionally, squadron members became involved with the deployment of newer search systems, such as the ARCHER, (Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyper-spectral Enhanced Recon), and its operational platform, the Gippsland GA-8 Airvan. The S.D.I.S. and Squadron 35’s C-206 were featured in an episode of the T.V. series Tactical to Practical.
In 2009 CAP432, the “Roadrunner” was retired from the national aircraft inventory and was purchased by Ed Struke, a member of the squadron. In 2013 the U-206, “Coyote” was transferred to San Bernardino Squadron 5. In exchange Squadron 35 received a factory-fresh ‘glass cockpit’ Cessna 182. She was eventually christened as “Lady Bird” by the squadron commander. The availability of only one aircraft in the unit did not prove to be a limitation. Because of the large number of active pilots within the squadron, they have been frequently called upon to man and operate other CAP aircraft within Group 1 as well as low time aircraft from around the Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange County areas. This ensured the pilots retain the skills necessary to conduct extended search operations when needed and assists other units with maintaining the current California Wing aircraft inventory.
In addition to its normal search activities, Squadron 35 members have also participated in a number of significant disaster relief and search activities:
In 1969, the 35th ARS participated in the six-month long search for the Gambler’s Special, conducting extensive sorties along the Sierra-Nevada Mountains from Tehachapi to Reno, Nevada
In 1971 the squadron conducted aerial reconnaissance and light transport following the Sylmar Earthquake. When power was lost at Olive View hospital, squadron members provided assistance by hooking up a portable generator to supply the medical center with power. They also provided manpower for ground recovery efforts in the City of San Fernando.
In 1994 they repeated many of these services during the Northridge Earthquake, aiding the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Air Division by supplying a portable generator so they could pump fuel to their aircraft. During the month following this disaster, CAP and Squadron 35 members assisted the American Red Cross by supplying communications and transport personnel within the Los Angeles Area.
In 1995, the Squadron became part of a regular series of flights along the U.S. and Mexican border. These missions were initially in support of the U.S. Border Patrol and were established to locate and aid illegal immigrants who had become lost or stranded in the Southwestern deserts. They continue today as part of CAP’s Homeland Security efforts.
In 2001 Squadron 35 personnel were alerted and placed on standby for duty following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. Both squadron aircraft, along with three member owned aircraft were ready to be launched on a moment’s notice. Throughout the state of California, some 57 aircraft were fully crewed and waiting for orders. Though not tasked that day, the Civil Air Patrol became the only organization outside of the U.S. military, to fly missions in defense of the United States during the two-week, nationwide grounding of all other aircraft. For ten days Squadron 35 participated with Pacific Region, CAP, conducting a series of blood transport shuttle flights between Southern California, Oakland California, Portland Oregon and Seattle Washington. Squadron 35 Headquarters at Whiteman Airport was the southern terminus of these flights.
In 2003 California Wing and its squadrons, including Squadron 35, assisted NASA in its search for wreckage from the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
In 2005 several Squadron 35 personnel were dispatched, along with the Pacific Region Gippsland GA-8 Airvan, to Louisiana to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
In September 2007 squadron members participated extensively in the Steve Fossett search. One member in particular, Captain Ted Ripp, logged over 80 hours in the air during a two-week span of time. The time intensive nature of this search eventually led to California passing laws to protect the employment status of CAP members who were deployed for assistance in future missions.
From 2008 until 2011, Squadron members helped establish and conduct missions in support of Space Shuttle landings at Edwards AFB, using the Region’s Gippson GA-8 Airvan to provide airborne platforms for NASA personnel to monitor and supervise the operational area in and around the landing site.
In 2008 Squadron members provided personnel support for the California OES Operations Center at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base during the Sayre Fire and again in 2009 during the Station Fire.
In 2011, the Squadron became part of, and helped pioneer Operation Green Flag, in which members assist in the training of military personnel in the use of “Remotely Operated Vehicles.”
In 2018 Squadron 35, along with the rest of the Civil Air Patrol, was awarded the USAF’s Outstanding Organization Award and was made part of the Air Force’s Total Force Program.
In 2020 Squadron 35 members and the Civil Air Patrol assisted the Red Cross and LAUSD with a food distribution program, helping to man distribution sites throughout Los Angeles County.
Today, Senior Squadron 35 performs not only its traditional Emergency Services missions, but continues supporting U.S. Border Patrol activities in California and assisting the U.S. Air Force Western Air Defense Sector in training its pilots for Air Intercept missions, a modern day version of its World War II target towing mission.
The squadron conducts operations and training activities in support of the CAP Cadet Program. The Squadron Base is headquarters to Cadet Squadron 137 and provides facilities for other units’ operations from around the Southern California area
CAP members have assisted local law enforcement and county fire agencies with airborne communication platforms during extensive ground search operations for missing hikers.
Squadron 35 is acknowledged as one of the most professional and active squadrons within the California Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. It has been referred to by senior command personnel as the Wing’s “Go To” Squadron. Its membership is a cross-section of the people it serves, from lawyers and teachers to electricians, retired police and fire personnel, clergy, film-makers and businessmen. These people are dedicated to a love of aviation, an interest in today’s youth, educating and informing the public and a desire to apply their talents to service to the nation.
Gibson Base
Named in honor of former Squadron Commander Major Vern Gibson, a long time pilot and manufacturer at Whiteman Airport, this CAP facility functioned as headquarters for three distinct units: San Fernando Senior Squadron 35, San Fernando Valley Cadet Squadron 137 and Los Angeles Group 1.
Established in September of 1994 after moving its trailers to the south end of Whiteman Airport, the compound was formally dedicated in December of 1999 to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the formation of the Civil Air Patrol. In addition to functioning as a headquarters for several CAP units, it was maintained as an operational Search Base, Disaster Relief Headquarters and Training facility for units in Los Angeles Group 1 and throughout California Wing. It was frequently used as a training site for practice missions, Air Force Evaluation Exercises and cadet activities. It was also used as a meeting site for the FAA Wings Seminar and aviation community outreach programs.
The base was activated on the 11th of September 2001 following the attacks on the WTC in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. During the next ten days, it functioned as a coordination site for transport flights between Southern California and Oakland when CAP was assigned the task of delivering vital blood supplies for the American Red Cross.
In 2015 squadron members watched the departure of an iconic part of the squadron. “Big Blue,” an old Willys Jeep engine powered generator was finally declared obsolete and shipped off to the DERMO depot after fifty years of service as a back-up power supply through earthquakes, fires, riots, wind storms and a plethora of training missions.
The Shooter's Gallery
In 2017, Squadron members began working with both Whiteman Airport personnel and Los Angeles County to acquire and refurbish the former Whiteman Airport Terminal Building and establish a new facility from which the squadron is able to continue conducting operations. Movement into the new headquarters started in January 2017 and was completed sometime around June. Even as the squadron moved, it continued to participate in active search and rescue mission, coordinating its first live mission from the new facility in on the 17th and 18th of January, 2017.
In addition to supporting Squadron, Group and Wing training activities and missions, the new facility is Headquarters to Cadet Squadron 137 and is used as a community support center hosting meetings of several local aviation groups to include the Whiteman Airport Association, the EAA, the Ninety-Nines and the FAA Wings Program. In March the Gibson Base facility was decommissioned and its trailers transferred to a private refurbishment company in order to allow for future expansion of Whiteman Airport operations.
Squadron 35 members actively participate in a number of new missions. Along with Squadron 137 they are helping with the development of STEM training aligned with the CAP Aerospace Education program. It is also working with the cadets on a possible CUBE mini-satellite that would be launched into space.
In 2019, with the expansion of the USAF Flight Training Program, Squadron 35 was assigned a C-172, CAP 471, dubbed the “Grasshopper,” in addition to its C-182 for use in California Wing’s training of cadets as possible future pilots in the Air Force. The squadron’s primary responsibility is the management of this resource for both Group and Wing cadets. The squadron also saw the retirement of its 2nd Cessna U-206, “Roadrunner II” at the end of the year with the decommissioning of CAP 420 from the CAP’s aircraft inventory. As a replacement, a refurbished zero-timed Cessna C-206, formerly assigned to the Alaska Wing, was attached to the squadron, sans pontoons, and is currently being rigged out for operations in and around the California desert. Only time will tell if this former “Yukon Gal” can adapt to the warmer climate of the lower 48.
The year 2020 saw dramatic changes in the squadron’s operations. With the advent of the COVID 19 Pandemic, the squadron began conducting its weekly meetings online in an effort to implement stay at home and social-distancing requirements. This however did not deter the squadron membership which, following appropriate health directives, began helping with the distribution of food for families in need at various locations throughout the Los Angeles area. Additionally, the headquarters facility was used by one member as a remote, online teaching site following the closure of schools by the LAUSD.
During this time, North Carolina, Tennessee and California Wings participated in the introduction of a new airborne photo reconnaissance system called Project WALDO. California Wing headquarters chose Squadron 35’s C-182 on which to install the system for testing and evaluation, and the squadron’s pilots began to familiarize themselves with the needed protocols for its operation.
In 2020 the squadron was awarded both the Los Angeles Group I and California Wing Senior Squadron of the year award.
On 12 November, 2020, tragedy struck the squadron when its workhorse C-182, known as “Lady Bird,” lost power during final approach to Whiteman Airport’s runway 12, and crashed, snagging a power line just short of the threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed in the subsequent fire and its pilot, Lt Col Richard Radvanyi was killed. Though not a member of Squadron 35, he was a skilled and capable pilot with more than 5,000 hours of flight time to his credit. Fortunately, there were no other crew members on the aircraft and no one on the ground was injured or killed.
On 20 December, 2020 Capt. Frank Bagheri journeyed to Independence, Kansas where he picked up a replacement California Wing aircraft for the lost CAP439. The new bird, call sign CAP433, arrived on 22 December and was assigned to Squadron 35 for evaluation, breaking-in and rigging out. As with CAP439, it will be based with the squadron and made available to other units for use.
At present, the new facility is operating under the tentative nickname of “The Shooter’s Gallery,” both as an acknowledgement that the new headquarters was originally built as a gun club in the mid-1950s, and because like the catapult operators on modern aircraft carriers, the base functions as launching, or “Shooting” facility for aircraft dispatched on search missions.
The squadron has an active membership of between 50-60 members, all of whom believe in and help maintain the spirit of service that earned CAP the nickname “The Flying Minutemen.”
The Patch: A Road Runner
Shortly after moving to San Fernando Airport, Squadron 35 pilots noticed that whenever they made a take-off run, they could always count on seeing a small flock of roadrunners desperately trying to keep up with the old T-6s through rotation. In spite of repeated failure, they never gave up hope of becoming airborne.
Admiration for these stubborn little avians prompted squadron member, Bob O’Hara, to create a patch utilizing a stylized, aerodynamic roadrunner painted in the same colors as the squadron’s aircraft. The mountains and cactus in the logo represent the range of the squadron’s search activities and its ability to search from the lowest levels of Death Valley to the highest peaks of Mount Whitney, and everything between. The musical notes are a tip-of-the-hat to the characteristic “beep-beep” of its more famous, Warner Brothers’ Road-Runner cartoon cousin.
The design caught on and the flightless bird became representative of the squadron’s “Never Say Die” attitude. Such was, and is, the spirit behind San Fernando Senior Squadron 35, Civil Air Patrol, and the USAF Auxiliary.
Historical Data Compiled by
Lt.Col. Jim Hayden, CAP/USAF Aux.
