A Brief History of CAP

In the late 1930s, more than 150,000 volunteers with a love for aviation argued for an organization to put their planes and flying skills to use in defense of their country. As a result, the Civil Air Patrol was born one week prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Thousands of volunteer members answered America's call to national service and sacrifice by accepting and performing critical wartime missions. Assigned to the War Department under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Corps, the contributions of Civil Air Patrol, including logging more than 500,000 flying hours, sinking two enemy submarines, and saving hundreds of crash victims during World War II, are well documented.

After the war, a thankful nation understood that the Civil Air Patrol could continue and provide valuable services to both local and national agencies. On July 1, 1946, president Harry Truman signed Public Law 476 incorporating Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization. On May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 permanently establishing Civil Air Patrol as an auxilliary of the new U.S. Air Force (which had just been established a year prior). Three primary mission areas were set forth at that time: Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services.

Aerospace Education

The programs ensure that all CAP members (seniors and cadets) have an appreciation for and knowledge of aerospace issues. To advance within the organization, members are required to participate in this educational program. Aerospace education is divided into two parts; internal and external.

Cadets complete aerospace education as one of the requirements to progress through the achievement levels of the cadet program. Senior members have a responsibility to become knowldgeable of aerospace issues and the AE program that CAP provides. They are further encouraged to share the information obtained with their local communities and school systems.

CAP's external aerospace programs are conducted through our nations educational system. Each year, CAP sponsors more than 100 workshops in colleges and universities across the nation, reaching more than 3000 educators and thereby hundreds of thousands of young people. These workshops highlight basic aerospace knowledge and focus on advances in aerospace technology. CAP's aerospace education members receive more than 33 free teaching aides, as well as lesson plans and other classroom materials.

Cadet Programs

While there are many youth oriented programs in America today, CAP's Cadet Program is unique in that it uses aviation as a cornerstone. Thousands of young people from 12 years through age 21 are introduced to aviation through CAP's Cadet Program. The program allows young people to progress at their own pace through a 16-step program including aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness, and moral leadership. Cadets compete for academic scholarships to further their studies in fields such as engineering, science, aircraft mechanics, aerospace medicine, meteorology, as well as many others. Those cadets who earn cadet officer status may enter the Air Force as an E3 (Airman 1st Class) rather than E1 (Airman Basic).

Whatever your interests (survival training, flight training, photography, astronomy), there's a place for you in CAP's Cadet Program! Each year, cadets have the opportunity to participate in special activities at the local, state, regional or national level. Many cadets will have the opportunity to solo-fly an airplane for the first time through a flight encampment or academy. Others will enjoy traveling abroad through the International Air Cadet Exchange Program. Still others assist at major air shows throughout the nation.

Emergency Services

Growing from its WWII experience, the Civil Air Patrol has continued to save lives and alleviate human suffering through a myriad of emergency services and operational missions. Below are some of the areas where CAP is actively providing Emergency Services today.

Homeland Security Missions

Working under the U. S. Air Force's Homeland Security Directorate, the Civil Air Patrol is uniquely positioned to provide low-cost airborne assets nationwide in support of Homeland Security initiatives. CAP's Maryland Wing has launch a Bridge Patrol program which monitors activities on and near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from the air using CAP personel and assets. The Bridge Patrol coordinates directly with Homeland Security and Maryland Department of Transportation authorities Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays throughout the spring, summer, and fall months to ensure your Maryland travels are safe.

Search and Rescue

Perhaps best known for its search and rescue efforts, CAP accomplishes more than 90% of all federal, inland, search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Outside the continental Unites States CAP supports the joint rescue coordination centers in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Just how effective are the CAP missions?
CAP members save nearly 100 people each year!

Disaster Relief

CAP provides air and ground transportation and an extensive communications network for disaster-relief efforts. Volunteer members fly disaster-relief officials to remote locations and provide manpower and leadership to local, state, and national disaster-relief organizations. CAP has formal agreements with many governement and humanitarian agencies including the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the U. S. Coast Guard.

Humanitarian Services

CAP flies humanitarian missions - usually in support of Red Cross - transporting time-sensitive medical materials including blood and human tissue, in situations where other means of transportation are not available or too costly.

Air Force Support

CAP conducts lght transport, communications support, and low-altitude route surveys for the U.S. Air Force. CAP also provides orientation flights for AFROTC cadets. Joint U.S. Air Force and CAP Search and Rescue (SAR) exercises (SAREX) provide realistic training for missions.

Counter Drug

CAP joined the "war on drugs" in 1986 when, pursuant to congressional authorization, CAP signed an agreement with the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Customs Service offering CAP resources to help stem the flow of drugs into and within the United States.