St Cloud Composite Squadron
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Commander of SCCS

About the Squadron Commander

Commander of the St Cloud Composite Squadron 27 Mar 2023 to Current, Major Aaron Schaak

Maj Schaak Has 24 years of experience in the Civil Air Patrol. He joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1998 as a Cadet Basic. He worked his way up through the ranks and went on to earn his Mitchell Award before going on to join the Army. Maj Schaak spent 6 years in the Army where he learned skills and tools that he could apply both in Army life and civilian life. He did two tours overseas, once to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. During his time in the Army, Maj Schaak has served as a Gunner; Team Leader; Squad Leader; Section Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO); and a detachment Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC).

After spending 6 years in the Army, Maj Schaak came back to the Civil Air Patrol and rejoined as a Senior Member. During his time as a CAP Member, Maj Schaak has served as Cadet Commander; Leadership Officer; Deputy Commander for Cadets; Interim Squadron Commander; Executive Officer; Emergency Services Officer; Ground Team Leader; Ground Branch Director; and as an Operations Officer for the Combat Control Orientation Course. His Army Awards and Decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantry badge (CIB).

Maj Schaak’s CAP Awards and Decorations include the Commander’s Commendation, the Achievement Award, the Search and Rescue Ribbon, the Find Ribbon, the Red Service Ribbon with the 20 year device, the Community Service Ribbon with multiple device denoting 2000+ hours of community service outside of CAP, the National Special Cadet Activities Ribbon (NCSA) and clasp for his active participation in the National Blue Beret (NBB) and Hawk Mountain Ranger School (HMRS) Activities, the Blue Beret upon graduation of NBB, a Ranger 2nd Class Tab for successfully completing HMRS, the master Ground Team Badge for his qualification as a Ground Team Leader, and the Senior Emergency Services Specialty Badge for completing his Senior Rating as an Emergency Service Officer.

In his Professional Life, Maj Schaak works for the Department of Veterans Affairs where he works as a Supervisory Veteran Services Representative, overseeing 18 employees. 


Lt Col Shawn Warneke St Cloud Composite Squadron CommanderFormer Commander of the St Cloud Composite Squadron 27 Mar 2019 - 27 Mar 2023, Lt Col Shawn Warneke

Col. Warneke joined the Civil Air Patrol as a Cadet in 1996.  He joined primarily because of his love for aviation but soon took a liking to the other opportunities that the Civil Air Patrol had to offer.  

As a prior Cadet, Col Warneke held many positions including; Cadet Flight Ops, Cadet Logistics, Cadet Element Leader, Cadet Flight Sergeant, Cadet Flight Commander, Cadet Color Guard Commander, Cadet Executive Officer, Cadet Deputy Commander, and Cadet Commander.  Col Warneke finished his Cadet Career as a Cadet Major.  In Oct 2002 Col Warneke transitioned to Senior Member status.  

As a Senior Member Col Warneke has held the positions of Professional Development Officer, Logistics Officer, Senior Officer in Charge of the Color Guard, SCCS Lock-In Project Officer, Black CAP Commander for Black CAP 32, 2017, Deputy Commander for Cadets and Deputy Commander for Seniors prior to his appointment as the Commander of the St Cloud Composite Squadron on 27 Mar 2019.  

In his 25 plus year in CAP he has also attended many Professional Development Schools, Emergency Service Training Schools and Courses, Squadron Staff Training and Development Schools.

His exemplary performance of his duty as the St Cloud Composite Squadron has earned him the Command Ribbon for his dedicated service to the Civil Air Patrol.

He operated the Squadron, according to the CAP Regulations set forth by the Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters, and promoted the Civil Air Patrol by setting an example of excellence for others to follow during his command. 

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