Squadron History
Serving the State of Oregon, and more specifically the Yamhill and Polk County area for over 30 years, the McMinnville Composite Squadron (36099) was originally formed as a flight of the Washington County Composite Squadron (36034) on 04 Oct 1986. The squadron became an officially chartered composite squadron on 19 Sept 1987.
When the unit was formed, there were five original charter members:
- Alva Lee
- Les Peterson
- Joe Swetz
- David Swetz
- Keith Fritz
Major Alva Lee became the first squadron commander and served in that role until September 1989. Major Rick Mills took over and served as the squadron commander from September 1989 through September 1991. The squadron then came under the command of Lt Col Les Peterson who served from September 1991 through January 2004. Capt David Peterson assumed command in January 2004 and continued in that role until March of 2005 when Lt Col Peterson reassumed command. In October of 2011, Lt Col Scott Hall took command of the squadron and served in that role until October of 2014. Command of the squadron was then transferred to Lt Col Hilda Pereyo who served as the squadron commander until December of 2018.
In Jan 2020, the Tillamook Composite Flight was transferred into the squadron. The squadron's leadership will work with the flight to get them back to being their own squadron.
The motto of the McMinnville Composite Squadron is "Res Non Verba" meaning "Deeds, Not Words" and refers to the squadron's long history of leading by example and providing outstanding volunteer service to our community, state, and nation.
The squadron currently meets at the Evergreen Aviation Museum Theater Building on Tuesday nights from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
The Tillamook Flight meets at the Tillamook Sheriff's ATV facility near the aviation museum on Thursday nights from 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
