This logo was created by the cadet corps and was submitted for consideration as the permanent logo for our squadron.

The cadets have likewise recommended that we rename the squadron from "Cache Valley Composite Squadron" to "Cricket Composite Squadron".

The gryphon (also spelled griffin) is used in helardly and by other military units, including the
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266.

The gryphon is a mythical creature. It has the head, wings, and claws of an eagle and the body and hind legs of a lion. As the eagle is the lord of the sky and the lion the lord of the earth, I think the gryphon captures our dual-role in operations, that is aircrew and ground team.

The Latin in the logo, "Arte et Marte," means "by skill and valor" or "with peaceful effort and warlike feats," depending on who you ask. Again, this captures what we strive to do: Execute the purposes of peace (search and rescue) with all the feats of fighting a war.

In myth of the gryphon (also spelled griffin) is believed to have found life around 3,000 BC in Egypt, where the gryphon was the companion of the pharaoh. The myth of the gryphon found its way into Babylon, Assyria, and Persia.

As the horn of the Unicorn was believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac, the talon of a gryphon was believed to have the power to purify any drink of poisons that may taint it (when fashioned into a drinking cup).

Gryphons, like many mythical creatures, were once believed to be real. They were believed to inhabit the mountains of north-eastern Europe and Russia and also the mountains of North-Eastern India and the Middle East. I feel this mountain habitation also captures the spirit of our squadron quite well.

Romans had the Gryphon in their religion. The gryphon pulled the chariot of Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance and retributive justice.

Through the Romans, the gryphon was adapted by Christians. In early Christianity, the gryphon originally symbolized Satan and evil, but it later became a symbol for Christ. In medieval times the gryphon was adopted as a gargoyle (as a protector) and in heraldic symbols.

The gryphon is larger than an horse and is able to carry off large prey (such as deer). The gryphon builds nests called eyries (also aerie). This term applies to nests built by all birds of prey. Gryphons made (or lined) their nests with gold, which they could sense and find in the mountains. They also collected precious stones (such as emralds). Because this attracted human plunderers, gryphons were vigilant guardians of their nests. Vigilance is clearly a virtue CAP strives to keep.

Gryphon eggs are made out of agate (a semi-precious stone), from which their young hatch. Like the eagle, gryphons are monogamous (they mate for life).

In heraldry, the gryphon represents strength and vigilance. Again, this captures the spirit of our squadron.

This represents our boldness, comraderie and ability to survive when we're away from the "pack" (Wing). This closely resembles the cadet's original cricket idea of being obnoxious to Wing, except the Lone Wolf resembles our ability to stay true to the pack when we're together, yet able to survive and flourish when we're by ourselves. The wolf is seen as a mysterious yet free and strong. I think this would be a great name for our squadron. There's also a rumor that there is an actual lone wolf that has come down from Yellowstone and is running around in the mountains to our east. This would be a nice legend for us.

Editors Comment: In case it is not obvious wolves are pack animals, so a lone wolf is unusual.