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CIVIL AIR PATROL

CIVIL AIR PATROL

AUXILIARY OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

By: Lt Col Paul Kirschner, PAO

As the Civil Air Patrol is a civilian organization, it is an Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

In 1938, there were many aviation resources available, yet scattered in different locals. It became apparent that their qualifications of equipment, personnel, and military organization, would certainly aid the nation in case of a conflict or war. So, in 1941, the Civil Air Patrol was created- oddly enough, just one week before Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 1, 1941.

They were first organized under the Office of Civilian Defense. The Civil Air Patrol became the "Minute Men" of WWII, defending the nation's borders and helping to fill, rank and file, the gaps of men and women who were needed for the fight abroad.

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In 1943, as The War Department recognized the Civil Air Patrol's commitment, resourcefulness and importance and the Army Air Forces took the group under its wing. The CAP was reassigned from The Office of Civilian Defense to the War Department and CAP was officially placed under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces.

During WWII, the CAP, the volunteer flying Minutemen, searched for enemy submarines, performed rescue missions and transferred critical materials and personnel, just to name some of their valorous missions.

In 1946, then President Harry Truman incorporated the CAP as a non-profit organization for the benevolence of the public for Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services. And in 1948, Congress permanently established the Civil Air Patrol as the Auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force.

Since the CAP inception, they have proudly and aggressively performed their congressional mandate, time and time again.

As a humanitarian and educational nonprofit organization which serves thousands of communities across America via three Congressional chartered missions: Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services, the CAP boasts a membership that totals approximately 60,000 volunteers who share the love of aviation and community service. As the auxiliary of the United States Air Force, the CAP serves in a subsidiary capacity to the Air Force through its three missions.

The Aerospace education includes the educational conference, National Congress on Aviation and Space Education, NCASE. Its focus is to promote, educate and motivate teachers and leaders to incorporate and speak out on aerospace and its issues. Additionally, the CAP's National headquarters at Maxwell AFD, Alabama provides materials that are current and are of the highest standards of education. And the Air Force is in charge of the financial and material assistance, including uniforms.

Emergency Services

One of the outstanding squadrons is on the Gold Coast in California on the Southern edge, in Camarillo. Located at the Camarillo Airport, the Civil Air Patrol - CAP, Camarillo Composite Squadron 61, boasts their own 4 seater plane.

CAP is proud to be an Auxiliary of the United States Air Force and has been in existence since WWII. Their Cessna 182 is available for search & rescue missions, orientation flights, pilot training to achieve higher flying ratings, and training to become a rated scanner or observer.

The squadron, located in its own buildings at the Camarillo Airport, has a program for cadets from 12 to 18 years and a senior program from 18 years and older.

A number of the seniors are pilots and somehave their own private planes.

The CAP squadron has allocated over 200 flying hours per year for their pilot members in their Cessna, from our national Headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. They are a proud and active civilian volunteer non-profit organization.

To join as a cadet, a young person must be attending the sixth grade or be 12 to 18 years of age. Some members proudly wear the CAP uniform, others choose to quietly serve and not wear the uniform. You are encouraged to visit several Units and choose the one that you like best. For the protection of the cadets, prospective new members must undergo a routine fingerprint screen.There are also a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available for Parents and Grandparents, and remember- you do not have to be a pilot to join!

The CAP units are also willing to participate with their community and its internal needs. It will help with an air show; and aid with your group's need for giving directions, passing out flyers or directing traffic. If your city's emergency services need to practice its evacuation skills, the CAP will play your wounded casualties. If you have a Parade or Celebration, you may call upon the CAP to provide an Honor Guard or Drill Team.

Imagine the experience gained from the CAP. It is an opportunity waiting to enrich a person's life. Whether informing a youth about the cadet program or volunteering for an emergency Search or to just be around a great group, you are always welcome to volunteer at your local Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.

For more information on a national basis for units in your area visit the CAP web site: http://www.cap.gov/ or call 1-800-FLY-2338.