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Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was founded in December of
1941. This non-profit organization is the official auxiliary of the
United States Air Force and is comprised of 57,000 members. There
are approximately 1,500 units in nationwide. CAP units can be found
in every US state, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. Civil Air Patrol
has three missions, aerospace education, cadet
programs, and emergency services.
Although CAP is
the official Air Force auxiliary, there is absolutely NO military
obligation, it is a civilian organization!
Aerospace Education
CAP maintains both internal and external
aerospace education programs. CAP members, both adults and cadets, follow
a rigorous program to learn about aviation and aerospace principles. CAP
also reaches out to the general public through a special program for
teachers at all grade levels. Through this program, CAP provides free
classroom materials and lesson plans for aerospace education and each year
sponsors the premier national conference in this field.
Cadet
Programs
CAP’s cadet program
trains young men and women in teamwork, moral leadership, aerospace
education, technical skills to support emergency services, and military
history and customs. Through national encampments, a college and flight
training scholarship program, and the International Air Cadet Exchange,
CAP cadets broaden their horizons, learn to assume responsibility, feel
self-confidence and set goals for their lives.
Emergency
Services
Best known for its
members’ work in search and rescue and disaster relief missions, CAP is
expanding its role in the 21st century to include an increasing number of
homeland security operations and exercises. CAP also performs counterdrug
reconnaissance missions at the request of law enforcement agencies and can
do radiological monitoring and damage assessment. CAP members undergo
rigorous training to perform these missions safely and
cost-effectively.
CAP Fact
Sheet
*Because CAP is a volunteer organization all
time spent taking part in CAP meetings, training, and activities are
considered community service.
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