Sadly, BSA in its infinite wisdom dropped Air Explorers in 1966, right as the Space program was getting exciting. I've continued since then as a leader and merit badge counselor, getting the impression that it was a backlash from Vietnam era anti-militarism and pressure to start a Police Explorer program ... yet today, Scouting is involving alternate lifestyle leaders and even girl members, which to me is bizarre. (Baden-Powell and Juliette Gordon Low must be spinning in their graves!)
Yes, our units were Squadrons, and along with my Scouting Eagle, I earned the equivalent Silver/Ace Award, similar to your Sea Scout's Quartermaster. My whole family were Scouting oriented with Mom a Den Mother and Dad a Scoutmaster ... I spent part of my NavAir time as Air Scout Leader in Corpus Christi for a unit sponsored by the Navy.
Taken in '58 when USAF LtCol. Dad was on H-Bomb test duty in Eniwetok Atoll.
