Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. It is a volunteer, non-profit, benevolent organization made up of aviation-minded adult and cadet members committed to serving the nation.

HISTORY

Civil Air Patrol was organized Dec. 1, 1941, as part of the U.S. Office of Civilian Defense. During World War II, its members provide orientation flights to thousands of prospective aviation cadets and recruits. Members also flew more than 24 million miles on coastal patrol. They summoned help for 91 ships in distress and 363 survivors of submarine attacks. Patrol crews spotted 173 enemy submarines, dropped bombs or depth charges on 57 of them and received credit for sinking or seriously damaging at least two. Others were destroyed by planes and ships summoned by Civil Air Patrol radios.

Civil Air Patrol crews flew many other wartime missions, including a courier service for airlift of personnel and light cargo; target towing and tracking flights for training anti-aircraft gunners; powerline and pipeline surveillance; forest fire patrol; and patrol along the southern U.S. border. Sixty-four members died while performing wartime operations.

The organization became a permanent peacetime institution on July 1, 1946. On that date, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 476 of the 79th Congress, incorporating Civil Air Patrol in its present form.

Civil Air Patrol became a permanent civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force in May 1948 with the enactment of Public Law 557 of the 80th Congress.

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.

Ground Assets

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.

The counterdrug mission is supported by airborne video and thermal imaging equipment.

Supplies & Equipment

CAP screens mission-essential property from Defense Reutilization and Marketing Offices as a federal agent.

Air Power Advocates

The Civil Air Patrol has more than 53,000 members: 34,000 in senior-member and 19,000 in cadet programs. They come from varied backgrounds from police chiefs to schoolteachers 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.

Aviation Assets

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.

"Civil Air Patrol's accomplishments are increasing; membership is stabilizing; flying hours, assigned missions and 'saves' are looking good; and the accident rate-- none better."

Lt. Gen. Jay W. Kelley, U.S. Air Force
Commander, Air University
Maxwell AFB, Alabama
 

CAP aerospace education programs help inform the public about air and space matters. Over the past 30 years, CAP has supported about 4,000 aerospace education workshops for teachers and education officials at more than 250 colleges and universities around the country. These programs have prepared nearly 200,000 teachers to teach aerospace education courses in their schools or to enrich the usual classroom subjects.

 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 patrol 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.

AIR FORCE ASSISTANCE

Besides providing advisors and liaison officials, the Air Force provides equipment from Department of Defense excess items. Examples include aircraft and spare parts, motor vehicles, office supplies, communications equipment, rescue equipment and training aids.

When it is possible, the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve provide airlift for many CAP programs and, less often, for cadet orientation flights. Air Force and other DOD agency housing, medical and dining facilities, classrooms, offices, training aids and teachers are also provided to insure the success of CAP summer encampments. In addition, Air National Guard, Air Force and Army Reserve personnel also may serve as instructors and advisors to CAP units.

PERSONNEL

CAP has nearly 56,000 volunteer members. They include more than 27,000 teenage cadets and nearly 29,000 adult senior members. They wear a uniform similar to that of the Air Force but with special CAP insignia.

Members fly some 9,000 privately owned aircraft and nearly 600 aircraft owned by CAP. They drive some 1,700 trucks, jeeps, ambulances and sedans. They also maintain licensed shortwave radios as part of a network of fixed, mobile and airborne systems across the nation.

Nearly 11,000 senior members are FAA-licensed pilots. Thousands more are qualified observers and fly on various CAP missions.

Time served in CAP does not count toward military service--nor does it obligate members to any active military duty.  

Looking for speakers for local school activities or civic groups? Call the Civil Air Patrol.

Drill & Ceremony

Need an honor guard or drill team for a local event or ceremony? Call the Civil Air Patrol.

Education Force Multipliers

Develop closer ties with local schools by helping them sponsor aerospace education workshops.

Education Programs

Civil Air Patrol flight and academic scholarships are available for deserving young people at your installation.

Civil Air Patrol cadet programs provide Air Force recruiters with a pool of quality young men and women who have shown an interest in aviation. Close communications between U.S. Air Force recruiters and CAP units pay big dividends.

What You Can Do!

"Your efforts in the Civil Air Patrol reflect the commitment to voluntary community service that will be essential to solving our nation's most pressing social problems. By reaching out to those in need, you are setting an outstanding example for your fellow Americans. I commend you for your generosity and concern for others."

Former President George Bush