Original Charter as Foothill Composite Squadron 85 - December 12, 1980
Re-Chartered as Eugene L. Carnahan Cadet Squadron 85 - 1989

Brief Squadron History

Written by a cadet member:

While we, as cadets, sit in the meeting room and march on the drill field, we carry on a long lasting tradition of pride and honor of Civil Air Patrol.  Part of that long lasting tradition is the unit we call today Eugene L. Carnahan Cadet Squadron 85, who has served the El Dorado County area since 1980.  The squadron was first formed as Foothill Composite Squadron 85 with the now infamous Eugene L. Carnahan as squadron commander.  From 1980-1987 the squadron had an average of 20 cadets and won the California Wing Composite Squadron of the Year for 1987, and took 2nd place in the California Wing Drill Competition.  The squadron has always centered its attention around community service as we still do today.  They held many events including the Marshall M.A.S.H. Run and the Ponderosa High graduation color guard.  During the squadron’s early years they were designated a search area that was shaped like a triangle (Sacramento, Tahoe, and Truckee).  The area is amongst the most rugged terrain in California for Search and Rescue operations.  This rugged desolate and almost un-navigable area became known as "The Wedge" and the cadets and senior members of squadron 85 soon became known as the "Wedge Hunters".  On our squadron patch our nickname is proudly embroidered and the integrity of the squadron wedge is kept by the triangular shape.  LtCol Judson E. Adamy, joined the squadron in July of 1984 and after Eugene L. Carnahan passed away in 1989, the then Maj. Adamy became Commander of a new squadron, Eugene L. Carnahan Cadet Squadron 85 was formed.  Since that time, the squadron has grown, with at one time having 34 cadets.  With a record of having  two cadets receiving their Spattz awards and three attending military academies, who include Jeff King, Karen Reed, Erike Young, Beau Eslinger, and Sergio Apedaile, the squadron has a history of training excellence. The Squadron 85 tradition of excellent and highly complemented cadets lives on with the cadets who are in the program now and who will succeed in the future.

TO BE CONTINUED AND UPDATED IN THE NEAR FUTURE...