About Us

Welcome to Gastonia Composite Squadron! We operate the cadet program for teens and carry out the aerospace education and emergency services programs. We meet weekly and engage in a variety of activities throughout the year. Whether your child is interested in aviation and aerospace, military-type training, emergency services, learning leadership, or just wants to fly in an airplane, the cadet program will help them grow and mature. There are opportunities for adults as well.

Adult members are critical — from helping with day-to-day squadron operations to participating in search and rescue, disaster relief, and other missions. Adults can choose to get involved in aerospace education, emergency services, or cadet programs as well as areas like personnel, communications, public affairs, finance, health services, safety, logistics, and technology.

The squadron meets every Tuesday from 6:30-9:00 pm at the Lighthouse Baptist Church at 151 Lighthouse Church Ln in Gastonia.

The Quality Cadet Unit Award is awarded to squadrons, who, based on a set of criteria, are deemed to have a healthy and vibrant cadet program -- we've earned it 8 of the last 9 years (2017-2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026).