|
|
 |
|
|
WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO
CIVIL AIR PATROL
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). It has many missions and duties, involving people as young as 12 years old.
A PowerPoint presentation about the Civil Air Patrol can be found here.
History
The Civil Air Patrol was created on December 1st, 1941 - just six days before the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th. Our original purpose was for liason and reconnaissance, but these missions were soon expanded to patrolling for, finding, and attacking German submarines off the coast of the United States. The Civil Air Patrol found 173 submarines, attacked 57, hit 10 and sank two throughout World War II. CAP became the auxiliary of the Army Air Forces in 1943. The U.S. Air Force was established in 1947, with the Civil Air Patrol soon following as its auxiliary in 1948. In the line of duty, 64 CAP aviators have lost their lives defending our country.
Today, CAP has turned to a non-combative role.
More information can be found here and on the "CAP History" page on this website.
Homeland Security
Civil Air Patrol plays a major role in helping maintain national security, especially in today's post 9/11 world, and the existence of Operation Noble Eagle. Ranging from providing air surveillance and security for naval warships to testing intercept capabilities of the United States Air Force, to scanning the ground after an attack such as those on September 11, 2001, and keeping a watchful eye on key strategic locations, CAP has been a major, cost effective resource for protecting our nation.
More information can be found here.
Drug Demand Reduction & Counter Drug Operations
 
Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) is chartered with the responsibility to make CAP an environment that promotes and supports education, community involvement, social responsibility and respect for individuals. It was created in 1994, and has since spread throughout the entire organization. DDR is composed of three main programs, concerning schools, education, and community outreach.
A similar program in the Civil Air Patrol involves direct Counterdrug Operations. Using aircraft, and sometimes with risk to themselves, CAP pilots help law enforcement agencies in finding and reporting drug activities, such as marijuana farms. CAP's involvement in drug interdiction has played a great, cost effective presence of enforcement. Law enforcement agencies, such as the DEA and state police departments have given great credit to Civil Air Patrol's efforts.
Information on DDR can be found here.
If you would like more information on CAP's Counter Drug Operations, please click here.
 
Cadet Programs
Civil Air Patrol's cadet programs offer an enormous amount of opportunities to get involved in flying, search and rescue, promotions, air shows, and every other aspect of CAP cadet life. CAP's cadet programs instill strong leadership qualities, integrity, and a great sense of pride.
We encourage you to learn more about our cadet programs by clicking here.
Emergency Services
One of the three main programs in the Civil Air Patrol concerns emergency services (ES). CAP is best known for its search and rescue, disaster relief, and humanitarian services. This component is an operation in which both air and ground forces can both take part in. Our slow speed, low altitude aircraft with advanced equipment and specialized crews help quickly find crashed aircraft, lost hikers, report back on ground conditions during a disaster and transport needed medical supplies and key personnel. Ground Team Members (GTM) are composed of both senior (adult) and cadet members who are specially trained for search and rescue, and medical response.
More information on CAP's Emergency Services can be found here.
Aerospace Education
Another one of the three main programs in CAP explores aerospace education (AE). In being the auxiliary of the USAF, and involving children as young as 12, CAP has gone to great lengths to promote aerospace education throughout the country. This program opens the eyes of children and adults alike to the vast knowledge available in aerospace activities and developments. The lessons learned, and projects done through this program have and are continually opening doors to aviation related careers for CAP members and others who get involved with the Civil Air Patrol.
For more information on CAP's aerospace programs, please click here.
Safety
The safety program in CAP revolves around just that - safety. Since it involves so many young cadets, one of CAP's main roles is in promoting safe habits and preparing cadets and others for the dangers associated in the things they may do, or even in the things people should do to be safe during the different seasons - such as staying hydrated, cool, and have sunscreen in the Summer and keeping warm and dry during the Winter. CAP's safety program basically just contributes to common sense and situational awareness in everyday activities.
Click here for more information.
|
|
|
