U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet

CIVIL AIR PATROL

Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally

chartered, federally supported, non-profit

corporation that serves as the official

auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force.

Mission

The Civil Air Patrol performs three main functions -- emergency services, aerospace education

and cadet training.

Emergency Services

CAP's emergency services include air and ground search and rescue, disaster relief,

counterdrug, and an increasing role in homeland security. Its members fly more than 95 percent

of the inland search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue and Coordination

Center at Langley Air Force Base, Va. The Civil Air Patrol flew more than 3,000 search and

rescue missions and was credited with saving 73 lives in 2005.

CAP assists the U.S. Customs Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and Forest Service in

their counterdrug efforts. In 2005, CAP aircrews flew more than 12,000 hours in support of the

nation's war on drugs and were credited with contributing to the confiscation of more than $400

million of illegal drugs.

CAP aircraft fly non-combat homeland security missions such as surveillance of critical

infrastructure, airborne communications relay, and airlift of critical cargo. These missions are

flown under the authority of the U.S. Northern Command, the Joint command responsible for

the continental United States. CAP receives tasking from the air component of Northern

Command, 1st Air Force, with headquarters at Tyndall AFB, Fla.

CAP provides extensive support to the nation's Gulf coast following natural disasters. During

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, CAP serviced dozens of locations across the region �

more than 1,500 CAP members volunteered to provide support ranging from aircraft missions

such as search and rescue, transportation of critical personnel and supplies, and aerial imagery

of flood damaged areas for civil authorities to ground team missions such as house to house

searching of neighborhoods and passing out emergency supplies. In total, the CAP flew nearly

1,000 aircraft missions in support of the hurricane relief efforts.

Aerospace Education

The Civil Air Patrol's aerospace education programs provide its members and the educational

community information about aviation and space activities. Each year it supports about 200

aerospace education workshops for teachers at approximately 100 colleges and universities

around the country, preparing an estimated 5,000 teachers to teach aerospace-related subjects

in their classrooms. The National Congress on Aviation and Space Education, an annual

national convention for aerospace teachers is one of CAP's major contributions to the nation's

aerospace education. The organization also develops curriculum and publishes aerospace

educational materials for use in the nation's schools.

Cadet Program

The CAP Cadet Program inspires the country's youth to become leaders and good citizens

through their interest in aviation and community service. Through studies and other activities,

cadets progress through achievements that include special activities, aerospace education,

leadership programs, moral leadership, and physical fitness. As cadets progress they earn

increased rank, awards or certificates. They may become eligible for CAP national or

international special activities and compete for academic and flying scholarships. Upon

completion of their initial training phase, cadets receive the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award, which

entitles them to enter the Air Force as an airman first class, should they chose to enlist. CAP

cadets also compete favorably for AFROTC scholarships and USAF Academy appointments.

The program is open to U.S. citizens and legal residents of the United States, and its territories

and possessions. Cadets in the program are 12 to 18 years old.

Organization

Civil Air Patrol has eight geographic regions composed of 52 wings -- one wing for each state,

Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Wings are subdivided into groups, squadrons and,

sometimes, flights. There are approximately 1,600 individual units.

Headquarters Civil Air Patrol is located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., The headquarters is

staffed with nearly 100 full-time civilian employees who provide administrative and logistics

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support to 57,000 CAP members nationwide. Although paid by the Air Force, these employees

are neither Air Force civil servants or contractors, they are employees of the CAP Corporation.

A small active-duty unit, Civil Air Patrol-United States Air Force is collocated with the CAP

headquarters and assigned to Air University. CAP-USAF, staffed by military and Air Force

civilian personnel, provides advice, assistance, liaison and oversight of CAP. Additional CAPUSAF liaison personnel are assigned to CAP regions and wings to advise and assist field units.

Air Force Reserve members assist CAP through the Civil Air Patrol Reserve Assistance

Program. CAP-USAF has approximately 40 active-duty military, 60 civilian and 250 reserve

personnel assigned.

Membership consists of approximately 23,000 cadets and more than 34,000 adult volunteers.

They wear the Air Force uniform, but with distinctive CAP emblems and insignia. The Air Force

provides funds for the purchase and maintenance of 530 aircraft and more than 950 vehicles to

support the organization.

History

Civil Air Patrol was founded Dec. 1, 1941. During World War II, its principal purpose was to

allow private pilots and aviation enthusiasts to use their light aircraft and flying skills in civil

defense efforts. In 1943, the organization came under control and direction of the Army Air

Forces. Civil Air Patrol became a permanent peacetime institution July 1, 1946, when President

Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 476 establishing it as a federally chartered, benevolent,

civilian corporation.

In May 1948, Public Law 557 made the organization the official auxiliary of the Air Force. This

law, known as the CAP Supply Bill, authorized the Secretary of the Air Force to assign military

and civilian personnel to liaison offices at all levels of CAP. Congress again fundamentally

modified the organization in 2000. With the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization

Act, Congress clarified auxiliary status as a conditional state dependent on CAP performing

actual services for a federal department or agency. Congress also specified the funding

mechanisms the Air Force must use to provide funds to CAP for operations, maintenance, and

procurement of property. 

Most significantly, Congress created the CAP Board of Governors to serve as the principal

governing body of the organization. This 11-member board is made up of members appointed

by the Secretary of the Air Force and senior CAP volunteers. The Board of Governors provides

strategic direction and guidance to CAP, while delegating many day-to-day operations of CAP

to the CAP National Commander and his staff.

Point of Contact

For more information about CAP or the address of respective state liaison offices contact Air

University, Public Affairs Office; ATTN: CAP-USAF; 55 LeMay Plaza South; Maxwell AFB AL

36112-6332; DSN 493-4241 or 334-953-4241.

June 2006

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