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Missions
As an official auxiliary of the Air Force, CAP has three principal missions--emergency services including communications,
aerospace education and training, and a cadet training and motivation program.
Emergency Services
This is CAP's best-known activity. It entails air and ground search and rescue, local disaster relief, as well as cooperation
with and assistance to other emergency services agencies. CAP members fly 80 percent of all the hours flown on search and
rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. The center
coordinates search and rescue efforts within the inland search and rescue region (48 contiguous states). Civil Air Patrol
is also active in Alaska where it is directed in its search operations by the Alaskan Air Command Rescue Coordination Center.
In Hawaii, the patrol works under the direction of the Pacific Air Forces Joint Rescue Coordination Center. In Puerto Rico,
Civil Air Patrol works in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard and local civil authorities.
In the last five years, CAP crews have been involved in more than 5,500 search and rescue or other emergency service missions.
During this time, these volunteers were credited with saving the lives of more than 425 persons and with locating the objects
of their searches nearly 2,500 times. These missions required more than 92,000 hours of flying time.
CAP, as well as members who fly their own airplanes on these missions, are reimbursed by the Air Force for fuel, oil, and
communication expenses. In addition, the Air Force now provides maintenance costs for these as well as for certain training
missions.
Often, CAP members also help out in missions which may involve airlifting blood or donor organs, medication and civil or
relief officials to disaster areas. Disaster relief missions may also involve air surveillance of disaster areas, as well
as the air evacuation of the stranded, sick or injured. Rescue work and aid are provided during floods, hurricanes, earthquakes,
and other emergencies.
CAP maintains a nationwide network of over 20,000 radio stations which provides an invaluable backup to state, local civil
defense and Air Force communications. Locally, the stations support state disaster plans and provide communications for CAP
search and rescue and other disaster relief missions.
The CAP Corporation owns 535 light aircraft, primarily Cessna 172s and 182s. Additionally, CAP members own another 4,700
aircraft that can be used to support assigned missions.
When all of these assets are combined, CAP operates the world's largest fleet of civil aircraft and flies nearly 130,000
hours each year.
An often overlooked resource is the number and experience of CAP pilots. One-third of all CAP members are FAA-qualified
pilots.
In addition to aircraft, the CAP Corporation owns 950 ground vehicles to support their missions.
Many of these vehicles are equipped with sophisticated communications equipment that becomes invaluable during disasters
or extended SAR missions.
Aerospace Education
America's love of manned flight started with the Wright brothers and continues unabated during this century. World War
II showcased the important role aviation would play in the future and national leaders recognized the importance of stimulating
public interest in aerospace activities.
CAP, as the civilian Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, was most suited to perform this mission. Their efforts focused on
two different audiences - internal CAP members and the general public.
The internal programs ensure that all CAP members (seniors and cadets) have an appreciation for and knowledge of aerospace
issues. A rigorous educational program is tied to promotions at every level in the CAP organization.
Aerospace educators working out of CAP's National Headquarters at Maxwell AFB, Ala., provide materials that are current
and reflect the highest standards of educational excellence.
The congressional charter also tasked CAP to stimulate public interest in aerospace issues. These external programs are
primarily conducted through our nation's education systems.
Each year, CAP sponsors nearly 200 workshops in colleges and universities across the nation which reach more than 5,000
educators.
These workshops highlight basic aerospace knowledge and focus on advances in aerospace technology. Textbooks, learning
tools, and visual aids geared to stimulate interest in aerospace matters also are provided for teachers to use in their classrooms.
Other important services offered include assistance in curriculum planning at all levels and educational materials for
use by teachers in their classrooms. CAP's Center for Aerospace Education Development develops, publishes and distributes
materials to teachers. These materials range from pamphlets and activity booklets to a complete high school elective course.
They are produced and sold at a cost far below commercially available products.
CAP keeps in close contact with education departments at all levels and with agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Air and Space Museum, and the Air Force Association. These contacts promote and expand aerospace education in the nation's schools.
Also, the CAP provides yearly scholarship funds to cadet and senior members. These funds help finance college studies in
engineering, the humanities, education, science and other fields relating to air and space.
Cadet Program
The cadet program is designed to inspire the country's youth to become leaders and dynamic American citizens through an
interest in flying. Young men and women who are American citizens or aliens "lawfully admitted for permanent residency" may
become Civil Air Patrol cadets. They must be in the sixth grade or higher and be at least 12 years old to become members.
The maximum age for entering the cadet program is 18.
Cadets take part in a number of programmed and special activities. From these they develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes
to understand the total impact of air and space operations on society. They learn discipline by studying leadership and by
learning military drill and courtesies. They become physically fit through a special physical training program.
Through studies and other activities, cadets work their way through a series of 16 achievements. As cadets progress, they
earn increased rank, ribbons or certificates and also become eligible for nationally sponsored special activities and may
compete for academic scholarships.
Cadets are assigned to squadrons staffed by senior members who guide and assist them through the program. A popular activity
is the flying program. It promotes an interest in aviation by providing orientation flights and scholarships to cover flying
training through solo qualification.
The most sought-after activity of advanced cadets is the International Air Cadet Exchange. Each summer, about 120 cadets
and their adult escorts travel to one or the other of some 20 foreign countries. In return, cadets from foreign lands visit
the United States as guests of Civil Air Patrol and the Air Force. Such trips promote goodwill and understanding among the
world's youth who share a common interest in aviation.
Additional activities include cadet summer encampments at nearly 75 U.S. military bases and a cadet officer school. There
are also familiarization courses at many Air Force Bases. These familiarization courses provide cadets with an opportunity
to learn about various Air Force Careers, meet other cadets, and attend an activity that many teenagers only dream about.
Organization
The Civil Air Patrol is a civilian organization but, as the civilian Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, it comes as no
surprise that it is organized along military lines. Civil Air Patrol has a national headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, and eight geographical regions, each with from five to nine wings. There are 52 wings in all, one in each state
plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Wings are divided in groups, squadrons, and sometimes flights. There are about
1,700 individual units. Half of which are composite squadrons or squadrons that have both senior and cadet members.
Personnel
The Civil Air Patrol has close to 62,000 members: about 35,000 in senior-member and almost 27,000 in cadet programs.
They come from varied backgrounds from police chiefs to school teachers and from big cities and small towns. These differences
matter little. What does though is that all of these people want to be involved in their community -- they want to help others
-- and they share a love of aviation. They wear a uniform similar to that of the Air Force but with special CAP insignia.
They also all get paid the same, zero, from the National Commander to the newest cadet.
Time served in CAP does not count toward military service--nor does it obligate members to any active military duty.
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