The Latest from Cactus Tactical: History Of The Civil Air Patrol

A Brief Look At The History Of The Civil Air Patrol

Civil Air Patrol holds a special place in my heart as my daughter was recently ranked as a Cadet Chief Master Sergeant. As a result, we'll take a quick look at the Civil Air Patrol and it's role and association with the military. The Civil Air Patrol or CAP for short, is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

In the late 1930s, more than 150,000 volunteers with a passion for aviation called for an organization to put their planes and flying skills to use in defense of their country. This is how we came to have the Civil Air Patrol. It was introduced just one week prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Thousands of volunteer members answered America's call for national service and sacrifice by accepting and performing critical wartime missions. CAP was 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 providing valuable services both locally and nationally. On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed a Public Law incorporating the Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization. On May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 permanently establishing Civil Air Patrol as the auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. At that time, three primary mission areas were set forth:emergency services, which included search and rescue (by both air and ground) and disaster relief operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth.

CAP's current day volunteers are aviation-minded members that include people from all walks of life from all types of backgrounds, lifestyles, and occupations. Recently, CAP has also been tasked with homeland security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross.

Membership in the organization consists of cadets ranging from 12 to just under 21 years of age, and senior members 18 years of age and up. These two groups each have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of pursuits; the cadet program contributes to the development of the former group with a structured syllabus and an organization based upon United States Air Force ranks and pay grades, while the older members serve as instructors, supervisors, and operators. While performing their duties, all members must be in uniform.

Nationwide, CAP is a major operator of single-engine general aviation aircraft, used in the execution of its various missions, including orientation flights for cadets and the provision of significant emergency services capabilities. Because of these extensive flying opportunities, many CAP members become licensed pilots.

The hierarchical and military auxiliary organization is headed by the National Headquarters (with authority over the national organization) followed by eight regional commands and 52 wings. Each wing supervises the individual groups and squadrons that comprise the basic operational unit of the organization. In 2013 it was reported to have 34,740 Senior Members and 26,020 Cadets as well as had 4,300 volunteer owned aircraft, 535 light aircraft and 1000+ CAP owned vehicles. CAP is a part of the Air University and it's motto is "Semper Vigilans" which translates to Always Vigilant.

To see some of the contributions CAP makes take a quick look at this video: https://youtu.be/ATXFBG4a4NY

It may not be the biggest auxiliary organization but CAP is on the forefront of safety, aeronautical innovation and gearing cadets toward a bright future.

Is there a Civil Air Patrol is your area? Now might be a great time to volunteer or support an upcoming fundraiser.

Labels: air force, aviation, civil air patrol, government, History, volunteers