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The
U.S. Civil Air Patrol (
CAP) is the
civilian auxiliaries of the United States Air Force (USAF). It was created on
1 December,
1941 by
Administrative Order 9, with Maj. Gen. John F. Curry as the first CAP national commander. Civil Air Patrol is credited with sinking at least two German
U-boats during
World War II. Today, CAP is no longer called on to destroy submarines, but is instead a benevolent entity dedicated to education and national service. It is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services (including search and rescue), aerospace education for youth and the general public, and cadet programs. In addition, it has recently 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.
During World War II, the Civil Air Patrol was seen as a way to use America's civil aviation resources to aid the war effort instead of grounding them (as was the case in Great Britain). The organization eagerly assumed many missions including anti-submarine patrol and warfare, border patrols and courier services. The Civil Air Patrol sighted 173 enemy submarines and sank two. Despite being a volunteer force that was largely untrained in combat and
military science, the organization's performance far exceeded expectations.
After the end of World War II the Civil Air Patrol became a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The incorporation charter declared that CAP would never again be involved in direct combat activities, but would be of a benevolent nature. CAP still actively performs search and rescue missions within the United States. After the
September 11, 2001 attacks, Civil Air Patrol aircraft provided the first aerial pictures of the World Trade Center site, and also flew transport missions bringing donated blood to New York City.
History
Origin
The general idea of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) originated with a collective brainstorm of Aviator during the start of World War II. In the later half of the
1930s, the Axis Powers became a threat to the
United States, its allies and its interests. As the Axis steadily took control of the greater part of Europe and South-East Asia, aviation-minded Americans noticed a trend: in all of the conquered countries and territories, civil aviation was more or less halted in order to reduce the risk of
sabotage. Countries that were directly involved in the conflict strictly regulated general aviation, allowing military flights only. American aviators did not wish to see the same fate befall themselves, but realized that if nothing was done to convince the
Federal Government of the United States that civil aviation could be of direct and measurable benefit to the imminent war effort, the government would likely severely limit general aviation.
The concrete plan for a general aviation organization designed to aid the U.S. military at home was envisaged in 1938 by Gill Robb Wilson. Wilson, then aviation editor of The
New York Herald Tribune, was on assignment in
Germany prior to the outbreak of World War II. He took note of the actions and intentions of the Nazism government and its tactic of grounding all general aviation. Upon returning, he reported his findings to the
New Jersey governor, advising that an organization be created that would use the civil air fleet of New Jersey as an augmentative force for the war effort that seemed impending. The plan was approved, and with the backing of Chief of the Army Air Corps General Henry H. Arnold and the
Civil Aeronautics Authority, the
New Jersey Civil Air Defense Services (NJCADS) was formed. The plan called for the use of single-engine aircraft for liaison work, as well as coastal and infrastructure patrol. General security activities regarding aviation were also made the responsibility of the NJCADS.
Other similar groups were organized, such as the
AOPA Civil Air Guard and the Florida Defense Force.
During this time, the United States Army Air Corps and the Civil Aeronautics Administration initiated two separate subprograms. The first was the introduction of a civilian pilot refresher course and the Civilian Pilot Training Program. The motive behind this step was to increase the pool of available airmen who could be placed into military service if such a time came. The second step was concentrated more on the civil air strength of the nation in general and called for the organization of civilian aviators and personnel in such a way that the collective manpower and know-how would assist in the seemingly inevitable all-out war effort. This second step was arguably the Federal government's blessing towards the creation of the Civil Air Patrol. It was followed by a varied and intense debate over organizational logistics, bureaucracy and other administrative and practical details.
Thomas Beck, who was at the time the Chairman of the Board of the Crowell-Collier Publishing Company, compiled an outline and plan to present to Franklin D. Roosevelt that would lead up to the organization of the nation's civilian air power. Beck received peer guidance and support from Guy Gannett, the owner of a
Maine newspaper chain. On 20 May 1941, the Civil defense was created, with former New York City
mayor and
World War I pilot Fiorello H. LaGuardia as the director. Wilson, Beck, and Gannett presented their plan for a national civil air patrol to LaGuardia, and he approved the idea. He then appointed Wilson, Beck, and Gannett to form the so-called "blueprint committee" and charged them with organizing the national aviation resources on a national scale.
By October of 1941 the plan was completed. The remaining tasks were chiefly administrative, such as the appointment of wing commanders, and Wilson left his New York office and traveled to
Washington, D.C. to speak with Army officials as the Civil Air Patrol's first executive officer. General Henry "Hap" Arnold organized a board of top military officers to review Wilson's final plan. The board, which included General
George E. Stratemeyer (presiding officer of the board), Colonel Harry H. Blee, Major Lucas P. Ordway, Jr., and Major A.B. McMullen, reviewed the plan set forward by Wilson and his colleagues and evaluated the role of the War Department as an agency of the Office of Civilian Defense. The plan was approved and the recommendation was made that Army Air Forces officers assist with key positions such as flight training and logistics.
With the approval of the Army Air Corps, Director LaGuardia signed the order that created the Civil Air Patrol on
December 1 1941.
World War II
On
December 1 1941, Director LaGuardia published Administrative Order 9. This order outlined the Civil Air Patrol's organization and named its first national commander as Major General John F. Curry. Wilson was officially made the executive officer of the new organization. Additionally, Colonel Harry H. Blee was appointed the new operations director.
The very fear that sparked the Civil Air Patrol "movement" – that
general aviation would be halted–became a reality when the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked
Pearl Harbor on
7 December 1941. On 8 December
1941, all civil aircraft, with the exception of airliners, were grounded. This ban was lifted two days later (with the exception of the entire West Coast) and things went more or less back to normal.
Earle E. Johnson took notice of the lack of security at general aviation airports despite the attack on Pearl Harbor. Seeing the potential for light aircraft to be used by saboteurs, Johnson took it upon himself to prove how vulnerable the nation was. Johnson took off in his own aircraft from his farm airstrip near
Cleveland, Ohio, taking three small sandbags with him. Flying at 500 feet (~150 meters), Johnson dropped a sandbag on each of three war plants and then returned to his airstrip. The next morning he notified the factory owners that he had "bombed" their facilities. The CAA apparently got Johnson's message and grounded all civil aviation until better security measures could be taken. Not surprisingly, the Civil Air Patrol's initial membership increased along with the new security.CAP Pamphlet 50-5, page 7, "Early Days and Wartime Activities", paragraph 4–6
With America's entrance into
World War II, German U-boats began to operate along the East Coast. Their operations were very effective, sinking a total of 204 vessels by September of 1942. The Civil Air Patrol's top leaders requested that the War Department give them the authority to directly combat the U-boat threat. The request was initially opposed, for the CAP was still a young and inexperienced organization. However, with the alarming numbers of ships being sunk by the U-boats, the War Department finally agreed to give CAP a chance.
On 5 March 1942, under the leadership of the newly promoted National Commander Johnson (the same Johnson that had "bombed" the factories with sandbags), the Civil Air Patrol was given authority to operate a coastal patrol at two locations along the East Coast. They were given a time frame of 90 days to prove their worth. The CAP's performance was outstanding, and before the 90 day period was over, the coastal patrol operations were authorized to expand in both duration and territory.CAPP 50-5, page 8, "Coastal Patrol Authorized", paragraph 1
Coastal Patrol
Originally, the Coastal Patrol was to be unarmed and strictly
reconnaissance. The air crews of the patrol aircraft were to keep in touch with their bases and notify the Army Air Forces and Navy in the area when a U-boat was sighted, and to remain in the area until relieved. This policy was reviewed, however, when the Civil Air Patrol encountered a turkey shoot opportunity. In May 1942, a CAP crew consisting of "Doc" Rinker and Tom Manning were flying a coastal patrol mission off
Cape Canaveral when they spotted a German U-boat. The U-boat crew also spotted the aircraft, but not knowing that it was unarmed, attempted to flee. The U-boat became stuck on a sandbar, and consequently became an easy target.
Rinker and Manning radioed to mission base the opportunity and circled the U-boat for more than half an hour. Unfortunately, by the time that Army Air Corps
bombers came to destroy the U-boat, the vessel had dislodged itself and had escaped to deep waters. As a result of this incident, CAP aircraft were authorized to be fitted with bombs and depth charges. Some of CAP's larger aircraft had the capability to carry 325 pound (mass) (147 kilogram) in depth charges or bombs. Most light aircraft, however, could only carry 100 pounds (45 kg), which was equivalent to one small bomb. In some cases, the bomb's flight fins had to be partially removed so they would be able to fit underneath the wing of a light aircraft.
One squadron's insignia of the time was a cartoon drawing of a small plane sweating and straining to carry a large bomb. This insignia has become popular throughout CAP.
The CAP's first kill was claimed with one of the larger aircraft. The Grumman Widgeon, armed with two depth charges and crewed by Captain Johnny Haggins and Major Wynant Farr, was
scrambled when another CAP patrol radioed that they had encountered an enemy submarine but were returning to base (due to low fuel). After scanning the area, Farr spotted the U-boat cruising beneath the surface of the waves. Unable to determine accurately the depth of the vessel, Haggins and Ferr radioed the situation back to base and followed the enemy in hopes that it would rise to Periscope. For three hours, the crew shadowed the submarine, but it didn't rise. Just as Haggins was about to return to base, the U-boat rose to periscope depth, and Haggins swung the aircraft around, aligned with the submarine and dove to 100
foot (unit of length) (30
metre). Farr released one of the two depth charges, literally blowing the submarine's front out of the water. As it left an
oil slick, Farr released the second charge and debris appeared on the surface, confirming the U-boat's demise and the Civil Air Patrol's first kill.
The kill was perhaps the crowning achievement for CAP's Coastal Patrol, which continued to operate for about 18 months (from
March 5 1942 to
August 31 1943) before being officially retired. In this time frame, the Coastal Patrol reported 173 U-boats, 57 of which were attacked by CAP aircraft with 83 ordnance pieces and two of which were confirmed sunk. In addition, the Coastal Patrol flew 86,865 missions, logging over 244,600 hours. Coastal Patrol aircraft reported 91 ships in distress and played a key role in rescuing 363 survivors of U-boat attacks. 117 floating mines were reported and 5,684 convoy missions were flown for the Navy.CAPP 50-5, page 10, "Coastal Patrol Authorized", paragraph 4
Border Patrol
Between July 1942 and April 1944, the Civil Air Patrol Southern Liaison Patrol was given the task of patrolling the border between Brownsville, Texas,
Texas, and
Douglas, Arizona,
Arizona. The Southern Liaison Patrol logged approximately 30,000 flight hours and patrolled roughly 1,000 miles (~1,610 kilometers) of the land separating the
United States and Mexico. Southern Liaison Patrol tasks included looking for indications of
spy or
saboteur activity and were similar to counterdrug missions executed by Civil Air Patrol today. Aircraft piloted by the Southern Liaison Patrol often flew low enough to read the license plates on suspicious automobiles traveling in the patrol region.
During its time of operation the Southern Liaison Patrol, more commonly known as the "CAP Border Patrol", reported almost 7,000 out-of-the-ordinary activities and 176 suspicious aircraft' descriptions and direction. During the entire operating period, only two members lost their lives. Considering the fact that the Border Patrol was one of the most dangerous missions CAP flew (along with Coastal Patrol), this is an exceptionally low number.
In a return to its World War II roots, CAP is currently assisting the US Border Patrol with flights along the US-Mexico border to assist in locating illegal immigrants and to route emergency services resources to aid those in distress .
Target towing
In March of 1942, CAP aircraft began towing targets for air-to-air (Fighter aircraft) and ground-to-air (Anti-aircraft warfare) gunnery practice. Targets would be trailed behind the aircraft (similar to the way an aircraft trails a banner) to simulate strafing attacks. CAP aircraft would also climb to various altitudes and would trail two targets for heavy AA guns to use for practice. Although uncommon, an antiaircraft round would occasionally hit the aircraft. Surprisingly, no deaths resulted from errant shots.
Similarly, CAP aircraft also flew night missions to provide tracking practice for the crews of searchlights and radar units. These missions were dangerous in the sense that the pilot ran the risk of accidentally looking into the glare of a searchlight while performing Maneuver, which would blind and disorient him. Such was the case of Captain Raoul Souliere, who lost his life after he went into a steep dive; witnesses surmised that he looked into the glare of a spotlight that had locked on to him, became disoriented, and did not realize he was in a dive.
Despite the dangerous nature of these missions, fatalities and accidents were rare. CAP flew target missions for three years with 7 member fatalities, 5 serious injuries and 23 aircraft lost. A total of 20,593 towing and tracking missions were flown.CAPP 50-5, page 13, "Target Towing and Other Missions", paragraph 7
Search and Rescue operations (SAR)
During the period between January 1
1942, and
January 1 1946, the Civil Air Patrol flew over 24,000 hours of Federal government of the United States- and Military of the United States-assigned
search and rescue missions in addition to thousands of hours of non-assigned SAR missions. These missions were a huge success, and in one particular week during February of 1945, CAP SAR air crews found seven missing Army and Navy aircraft.
The Civil Air Patrol had several decisive advantages over the United States Army Air Forces in terms of SAR ability. First, because CAP was using civilian aircraft, they could fly lower and slower than the aircraft of the AAF. Second, unlike AAF pilots, CAP pilots tended to be local citizens and therefore knew the terrain much better. Third, CAP utilized ground teams which would travel to the suspected crash site (often by foot, although some wings had other ways of reaching a wreckage).
Courier service and cargo transportation
In the spring of 1942, the Pennsylvania Wing conducted a 30-day experiment with the intention of convincing the AAF that they were capable of flying cargo missions for the nation. The Pennsylvania Wing transported Army cargo as far as Georgia, and top Army officials were impressed. The War Department gave CAP permission to conduct courier and cargo service for the military.
Although not generally remembered as one of CAP's "glamorous" jobs, cargo and courier transportation was an important job for the organization. From 1942 to 1944, the Civil Air Patrol moved around 1,750 short tons (1,600
metric tons) of mail and cargo and hundreds of military passengers.
Pilot training and the cadet program
In October of 1942, CAP planned a program to recruit and train youth with an emphasis on flight training. The CAP cadets assisted with operational tasks and began indoctrination and training towards becoming licensed pilots. Cadets were not exempt from being Conscription; however, the military atmosphere and general setting around them would provide an advantage to cadets who were subsequently called into service. To become a cadet, one had to be between the ages of 15 and 17, and be sponsored by a CAP member of the same gender. The cadet program called for physical fitness, completion of the first two years of high school and satisfactory grades. It was open only to native-born American citizens of parents who had been citizens of the United States for at least ten years. These restrictions were intentionally imposed to hold down membership levels until a solid foundation could be established.
Perhaps the most astonishing fact of the cadet program's 20,000-plus initial membership was the
lack of cost; it cost the
Civil defense less than $200 to get the program underway, and this was to cover administrative costs.CAPP 50-5, page 14, "Pilot Training and the Cadet Program", paragraph 5
Other wartime activities
CAP pilots were called on to provide a variety of missions that weren't necessarily combat-related but still of direct benefit to the country. Some of the most notable of these missions were: flying blood bank mercy missions for the
American Red Cross and other similar agencies; forest fire patrol and arson reporting; mock raids to test blackout practices and air raid warning systems; supporting
war bond drives; and assisting in salvage collection drives. In the Northwestern states, Civil Air Patrol members, armed with shotguns, flew patrols hoping to spot
fire balloons.
Perhaps the most curious job for CAP was "wolf patrol". In the southwestern
United States, the native wolf population had been disrupting ranching operations. One rancher alone lost over 1,000 head of cattle due to wolf predation. This represented a huge monetary loss to ranchers and an added restriction to the already low supply of beef due to wartime rationing. By the winter of 1944, Texas ranchers lobbied the Texan governor to enlist the aid of Civil Air Patrol to control the wolf populations. CAP pilots, armed with firearms, flew over wolf territory and thinned the population to lower levels.
CAP even had its own airbase during the war. A
Federal Aviation Administration auxiliary landing field, northwest of Baker, California,
California, was given to Civil Air Patrol. Used primarily for training, Silver Lake boasted a hangar, barracks, mess hall and even a swimming pool and bath house.
Results of wartime activities
The Civil Air Patrol's success with the cadet program, along with its impressive wartime record, led the United States Department of War to create a permanent place for it in the department. On April 29, 1943, by order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the command of the Civil Air Patrol was transferred from the Civil defense to the War Department and given status as the auxiliary to the Army Air Forces. On March 4, 1943, the War Department issued Memorandum W95-12-43, which assigned the AAF the responsibility for supervising and directing operations of the CAP.
One of the direct outcomes of this transfer was the loaning of 288 Piper Cub aircraft from the AAF to the CAP. These aircraft were used in the cadet recruiting program. By 1945 there was an oversupply of cadets and CAP took over the responsibility of administering cadet mental screening tests.
Postwar
With the close of World War II, CAP suddenly found itself looking for a purpose. It had proved its worthiness and usefulness in wartime, but the ensuing peace had reduced CAP's scope of activities since the AAF assumed a great many of the tasks that the CAP had performed. The very existence of CAP was threatened when the AAF announced that it would withdraw financial support on
April 1, 1946, due to massive budget cuts. General "Hap" Arnold called a conference of CAP wing commanders, which convened in January of 1946 and discussed the usefulness and feasibility of a postwar Civil Air Patrol. The conference concluded with the plan to incorporate the Civil Air Patrol.
On
March 1 1946, the 48 wing commanders held the first CAP/Congressional dinner honoring President
Harry S. Truman, the
Seventy-ninth United States Congress, and over 50 AAF generals. The purpose of the dinner was to permit CAP to thank the President and others for the opportunity to serve the country during World War II.
On
July 1 1946,
Public Law 476 (), was enacted. The law incorporated the Civil Air Patrol and stated that the purpose of the organization was to be "solely of a benevolent character". In other words, the Civil Air Patrol was to never participate in combat operations again. With the creation of the
United States Air Force on
July 26 1947, the command of the Civil Air Patrol was transferred from the
United States Army to the newly created Air Force. In October of 1947, a CAP board convened to meet with USAF officials and plan the groundwork of the Civil Air Patrol as the USAF auxiliary. After several meetings the USAF was satisfied and a bill was introduced to the United States House of Representatives. On
May 26 1948,
Public Law 557 () was enacted and CAP became an official auxiliary to the United States Air Force.
Missions
The Civil Air Patrol has three key missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and the Cadet Program.
at the National Emergency Services Academy. The member in front is using a device known as an L-Per, which is the primary piece of equipment used to home in on ELTs.
Emergency Services
There are several Emergency Services areas that the Civil Air Patrol covers. The principal categories include
Search and Rescue missions, Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Services, and Air Force Support. Others, such as
Homeland Security and Counterdrug Operations, are becoming increasingly important.
Search and RescueCivil Air Patrol is arguably best known for its search activities in conjunction with Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. CAP is involved with approximately 60% of the inland SAR missions directed by the
Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at
Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Outside of the continental United States, CAP directly supports the Joint Rescue Coordination Centers in
Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. CAP is credited with saving an average of 100 lives per year.
Disaster reliefCAP is particularly active in disaster relief operations, especially in
hurricane-prone areas such as
Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. CAP air crews and ground personnel provide transportation for cargo and officials. CAP aircrews often provide aerial imagery to emergency managers in order to help them assess damage. In addition, squadrons and Wings often donate manpower and leadership to local, state and federal disaster relief organizations during times of need. In late 2004, several hurricanes hit the southeastern part of the United States, Florida being the worst damaged. CAP was instrumental in providing help to areas that were hit.
Humanitarian serviceThe Civil Air Patrol conducts Humanitarian Service missions, usually in support of the
Red Cross. CAP air crews transport time-sensitive medical materials, such as blood and
Biological tissue, when other means of transportation (such as
ambulances) are not practical or possible. Following the
September 11, 2001 attacks terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, all general aviation was grounded. The first plane to fly over the destroyed World Trade Center was a CAP aircraft transporting blood.
Air Force supportCAP performs several missions that are not combat-related in support of the
United States Air Force. Specifically, this includes damage assessment, transportation of officials, communications support and low-altitude route surveys.
Homeland securityAs a humanitarian service organization, CAP assists federal, state and local agencies in preparing for and responding to homeland security needs.
Assistance to other agenciesThe
Red Cross,
Salvation Army and other civilian agencies frequently ask Civil Air Patrol to transport vital supplies such as medical technicians, medications and other vital supplies. They often rely on CAP to provide airlift and communications for their disaster relief operations. CAP also assists the United States Coast Guard and
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Aerospace Education Program
Civil Air Patrol's Aerospace Education Program serves the CAP cadet and senior member population as well as the general public. Education for members includes formal, graded courses about all aspects of aviation, including flight physics, dynamics, history, application and others. Courses cover the space program as well as new technologies that make advances in aviation and space exploration possible. There are several programs for CAP pilots to improve their flying skills and earn Federal Aviation Administration ratings.
Through outreach programs, CAP helps school teachers integrate aviation and aerospace into the classroom, providing seminars, course materials and sponsorship of the National Congress on Aerospace Education. CAP members also provide their communities with resources for better management of
airports and other aviation-related facilities and promote the benefits of such facilities.
Aerospace education for cadetsThe CAP Cadet Program has a mandatory aerospace education program; in order to progress, a cadet must take courses and tests relating to aviation. Cadets also have educational opportunities through guest speakers, model building and actual flight.
Aerospace education for senior membersSenior members of the CAP may study aerospace through the Senior Member Professional Development Program. CAP encourages its senior members to learn about aviation and its history, although this is not mandatory. Those who complete the Aerospace Education Program for Senior Members may earn the
Chuck Yeager Aerospace Education Award.
Aerospace education for non-membersThe purpose of the External Aerospace Education program, defined in CAP's 1946
congressional charter, is to "encourage and foster civil aviation in local communities". CAP has focused on providing schools and teachers with materials and help for educating youth about aerospace. CAP members visit schools, host field trips, science competitions and fairs, and participate in other related activities. In addition to schools, CAP reaches out to other organizations, such as the
Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of the USA and
4-H.
Cadet Program
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; float: right; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"|align="center"|
Grade Name
and Abbreviation|align="center"|
Insignia|align="center"|
Associated Award
or Achievement|-|align="center"|
Cadet ColonelC/Col]|||-|align="center"|
Cadet Lieutenant ColonelC/Lt Col]|||-|align="center"|
Cadet MajorC/Maj]
C/Capt|align="center"| |align="center"| Amelia Earhart
C/1st Lt|align="center"| |align="center"|
None|||-|align="center"| [Cadet Second Lieutenant
C/2d Lt]|||-|align="center"|
Cadet Chief Master SergeantC/CMSgt]||-|align="center"|
Cadet Senior Master SergeantC/SMSgt]||-|align="center"| Cadet Master Sergeant
C/MSgt]||-|align="center"| Cadet Technical Sergeant
C/TSgt]|||-|align="center"| Cadet Staff Sergeant
C/SSgt]|||-|align="center"|
Cadet Senior AirmanC/SrA]|||-|align="center"| Cadet Airman First Class
C/A1C]|||-|align="center"|
Cadet AirmanC/Amn]|||-|align="center"| Cadet Airman Basic
C/AB|align="center"| |align="center"|
None|-|colspan=3|
Each of the pips and the diamonds of the officer-grade ranks all have the same width.|}
Concept
Civil Air Patrol's cadet program is a traditional military-style
cadet program. CAP cadets wear modified versions of Air Force uniforms, hold rank and grade, and practice military customs and courtesies. They are also required to maintain physical fitness standards and are tested on their fitness and their knowledge of leadership and aerospace subjects for each promotion. This program is similar to that of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) primarily because the Air Force JROTC program was 'cloned' from the CAP Cadet Program in the
1960s. However, there are several key differences between the two programs.
The current CAP Cadet Program was designed by John V. Sorenson who held the position of Civil Air Patrol's Director of Aerospace Education in the 1960s. This program is composed of four phases (Learning, Leadership, Command, and Executive) each of which is divided into several achievements. Achievements generally correspond to grade promotions while phases are tied to levels of responsibility. The Cadet Program operates at a local unit (squadron) level with weekly meetings and weekend activities but also has national and wing-sponsored week-long and multi-week summer activities, of which encampments are an example.
One of the strongest features of the CAP Cadet Program is that as Cadets progress, they are given additional responsibility for scheduling, teaching, guiding and commanding the other cadets in their units. They also assist their Senior Staffs in executing the Cadet Program. It is not unusual for a nineteen year-old Cadet officer to command an encampment of hundreds of junior Cadets. This, coupled with the fact that Cadets may also participate in CAP Emergency Services missions, sets CAP's Cadet Program even further apart from other cadet programs.
In CAP, cadets are given ample opportunity to lead and to follow. There is actually less interference by senior members than one might think. In CAP, cadets not only hold command positions at squadron and wing activities, they also plan them. Cadets are the ones who fill out the paperwork, command other cadets, and teach at weekly meetings and weekend and summer events. When someone says something about the Cadet Program, they are talking about what the cadets do, not what the senior members tell them to do.
Organization
The Cadet Program is overseen and administered by senior members who generally specialize in the Cadet Program. At the squadron level, the Cadet Commander's chain of command passes through the Deputy Commander for Cadets before reaching the squadron commander. There are 'Director of Cadet Programs' positions at all command levels above squadron. In addition to the Deputy Commander for Cadets, squadrons also have a Leadership Officer, a Senior Member whose job is to see to the military aspects of the Cadet program, such as uniforms, customs and courtesies.
Cadets have a grade structure similar to the
United States Air Force enlisted and Officer (armed forces) ranks (excluding those of
general officers). A Cadet starts as a cadet airman basic and then is promoted as he or she completes each achievement. To complete an achievement, a cadet must pass a physical fitness test as well as two written tests, one for leadership and one for aerospace education. The only exceptions to this rule are the promotion to cadet airman and cadet staff sergeant which have no aerospace test. For some achievements, an additional test of drill proficiency is required. The achievements and their corresponding grades are listed in the table; the
C/ prior to each grade is read as 'Cadet', so C/AB is read as "Cadet Airman Basic".
The milestones in Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Program are the Major General John F. Curry Award,
Wright Brothers Award, the General
Billy Mitchell Award, the Amelia Earhart Award, then General
Ira C. Eaker Award and the General
Carl A. Spaatz Award. As of mid-2005 fewer than 1600 Spaatz Awards have been earned since the first was awarded to Cadet Douglas Roach in 1964. Cadet Roach went on to an Air Force career and later was a pilot on the Thunderbirds (squadron) aerial demonstration team.
Each milestone award in Civil Air Patrol confers upon a cadet various benefits. Upon earning the Mitchell Award and the grade of cadet second lieutenant, a cadet will automatically be given the grade of
Airman First Class upon enlisting in the United States Air Force or
Private (rank)#United States upon enlisting in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps, though the rank may only be worn after successfully completing Basic Training. Along with being awarded the Earhart Award and being promoted to C/Capt a cadet may attend
International Air Cadet Exchange.
According to the CAP National website, the percentages for cadets receiving the milestone awards are as follows:
- Mitchell 12%
- Earhart 5%
- Eaker 2%
- Spaatz 0.05%
Cadets that transfer to the Senior Member side between his or her 18th birthday and 21st birthday receive the rank of Flight Officer (if the highest cadet award earned was the Mitchell), Technical Flight Officer (if the highest cadet award earned was the Earhart) or Senior Flight Officer (if the highest cadet award earned was the Spaatz). If a cadet decides to transfer to the senior side after his or her 21st birthday, they will receive the rank of 2d Lt (if the highest cadet award was the Mitchell), 1st Lt (if the highest cadet award was the Earheart), or Capt (if the highest cadet award was the Spaatz).
Activities
Orientation flightsCadets under the age of 18 are eligible for ten orientation flights in CAP
aircraft including five glider and fixed-wing aircraft flights. Cadets over 18 years of age can still participate in military orientation flights. Some CAP wings have flight academies where cadets can learn to fly. The USAF and
United States Army also frequently schedule orientation flights for CAP cadets in transport aircraft such as the
KC-10 Extender,
C-130 Hercules and the
C-17 Globemaster III or, in the case of the Army,
UH-60 Black Hawk and
CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
National cadet special activities(Note: Course list as of 2006)Civil Air Patrol's National Cadet Special Activities offer a broad range of largely aviation-related summer activities. Most are a week long and they are located in different parts of the country (IACE being the exception).
- Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing Orientation Course - Sponsored by Cessna, this activity shows aircraft construction and maintenance techniques and includes tours of the Cessna Aircraft factory.
- Experimental Aircraft Association Air Academy - Not sponsored by CAP. In addition to orientation flight time, Cadets study the flight, weather, navigation and aircraft construction.
- National Blue Beret - Participants will help conduct Experimental Aircraft Association Oshkosh Airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, the world's largest airshow. This is a 'working vacation' and duties include aircraft marshaling, crowd control and Emergency Locator Transmitter deactivation.
- National Flight Academies (Airplane & Glider) - An opportunity for older Cadets (14 for gliders and 16 for airplanes) to gain flight instruction and, in some cases, a solo flight.
- Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Courses - A glimpse of the training that makes an Air Force pilot. Includes heavy academics, flight facilities tours and may include full-motion simulator time and flight time with an instructor pilot in a T-1A Jayhawk jet trainer. Formerly the Air Education and Training Command Familiarization Course.
- Air Force Pararescue Orientation Course - In this physically demanding activity, Cadets work with actual Pararescuemen learning land navigation, wilderness survival, climbing and rappelling and other PJ skills.
- Air Force Space Command Familiarization Courses - Designed for Cadets with an interest in space-related careers, this course provides an in-depth look at the Air Force Space Command, including missile operations, space command and control and orbital mechanics.
- Air Force Weather Agency Familiarization Course - For Cadets interested in meteorology, this provides a chance to work with members of the Weather Agency and see how weather is forecast and interpreted using state of the art equipment.
- United States Space Camp / Aviation Challenge - Also not sponsored by CAP. Conducted at the United States Space & Rocket Center, this course focuses on space exploration, and features flight simulation, physiology, crew equipment and more.
- Cadet Officer School - A course for Cadet officers based on Air Force Squadron Officer's School. It is held at the Air University at Maxwell AFB and teaches presentation skills, critical thinking, ethics and hands-on leadership.
- Civic Leadership Academy - Held in Washington, D.C., this course explores the functions of our government and political processes.
- Hawk Mountain Ranger School - The Colonel Phillip Neuweiler Ranger Training Facility at Hawk Mountain is the oldest continually operated school of search and rescue in the United States. This activity teaches basic and advanced CAP SAR techniques as well as survival, rope work, first aid and leadership.
- Honor Guard Academy - This activity teaches Air Force Honor Guard techniques and provides instruction on creating an Honor Guard at a Cadet's home unit. Cadets are also taught military discipline and protocol of the type required by an Honorguardsman, as well as the four elements of the Honor Guard: the Ceremonial/Demonstration Element, the Colors Element, the Funeral Element and the Drama Element (which involves plays and skits promoting a drug-free lifestyle and depicting the consequences of abusing illegal substances).
- International Air Cadet Exchange - Perhaps the premier NCSA, IACE is an opportunity for two weeks of international travel to countries around the world and meet cadets of other organizations, such as the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. A CAP Cadet must have earned the Amelia Earhart award and have a minimum grade of C/Capt to apply for IACE. Cadets from 19 nations are sent to either Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States or the United Kingdom.
- National Emergency Services Academy - An in-depth SAR school teaching all aspects of the CAP Emergency Services mission.
- Airline Careers Exploration - A hands on activity where cadets learn about careers within the airline industry including pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and flight attendants.
Cadets and the military
CAP members do not incur any military obligation. However, the
United States Congress stated in the
Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act of 2000 that CAP and similar programs "provide significant benefits for the Armed Forces, including significant public relations benefits."106th United States Congress, 2D Session (
2000-04-06).
Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act of 2000 (H.R. 4208).
United States Government Printing Office. Retrieved on 2007-10-18 CAP cadets who go on to join the Air Force can enter as an Airman First Class (E-3) if they have earned the Mitchell Award. Most cadets choose not to go on to military careers; among those that do, many choose branches of service other than the Air Force. CAP cadets that do enter the military perform statistically better during recruit training and at the various service academies than their peers without CAP cadet experience.
Scores of former CAP cadets have gone on to become military leaders, many achieving notoriety, including: Lt Shane Osborne, pilot of the
United States Navy EP-3E Aries II aircraft which collided with a Chinese fighter in April 2001; Capt Scott O'Grady, whose F-16 was shot down over
Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995; Lt Col
Eric A. Boe, NASA pilot and Director of Operations, Russia; Commander William Oefelein, NASA astronaut and STS-116 pilot; and General
Michael E. Ryan, former
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. Major Nicole Malachowski, a former CAP cadet from Las Vegas, Nevada, has become the first woman pilot to join the USAF Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team beginning in 2006. Other notable former cadets include
Jack Sarfatti, a theoretical physicist, and 2007 Blue Angels South Carolina crash, a United States Navy Blue Angels pilot. Some former cadets became more infamous than famous, including Lee Harvey Oswald, David Ferrie,
Barry Seal, and
James R. Bath, as well as
David Graham (murderer) and
Diane Zamora, of the "Texas Cadet Murder" case, which later became a made-for-TV movie.
Cadet Oath
Cadets ascribe to the following oath during their membership:
Cadet Honor Code
The Air Force Academy Cadet Honor Code -
"I will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God." - is mentioned in Cadet Program materials and some units use it as an additional standard of behavior. However, it is not an official part or requirement of the CAP Cadet Program and even varies from unit to unit. One version of this is
"A cadet will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate any among us who do so."
Equipment
The Civil Air Patrol operates fixed-wing aircraft, training gliders, ground vehicles and a national radio communications network.
Aircraft
The Civil Air Patrol owns and operates the world's largest fleet of single-engine Cessna aircraft, predominantly Cessna 172 Skyhawk and Cessna 182 Skylane aircraft.
In 2003, the unique Australian designed and built 8 seat
Gippsland GA8 Airvan was added to the corporate fleet, making CAP the first American organization to own and operate this aircraft, and the largest fleet owner of the GA8 Airvan world wide. These aircraft carry the
Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance system, which can be used to search for aircraft wreckage based on its spectral signature.
Other aircraft types include the Cessna 206 and the Maule MT-235. Some members use their own airplanes. CAP also has several dozen gliders, such as the
LET L-23, the Schleicher ASK 21 and the Schweizer SGS 2-33, used mainly for cadet orientation flights.
In addition to CAP's fleet of more than 530 aircraft, over 4,000 member-owned aircraft are made available for official tasking by CAP's volunteers should the need arise. Aircraft on search missions are generally manned by a crew of three: A
aviator, responsible for the safe flying of the aircraft; a Mission Observer, responsible for Navigation, Communications and coordination of the mission (as well as actually looking out the window); and a Mission Scanner who is responsible for looking out the window for crash sites and damage clues. Additionally, the Mission Scanner may double as an Satellite Digital Imaging System operator. Larger aircraft may have additional Scanners aboard, providing greater visual coverage.
Ground vehicles
CAP owns roughly 1,000 vehicles (mostly vans for carrying personnel) and assigns them to units for use in the organizations missions. Members who use their own vehicles are reimbursed for fuel, oil and communications costs during a USAF-assigned emergency services mission.
Communication
CAP operates a national radio network of High frequency (SSB) and VHF (FM) radios, repeaters, and packet radio computers. Radio communications are now facilitated under NTIA specifications, which has required replacement of a significant portion of the network's infrastructure. CAP's radio network is designed for use during a national or regional emergency when existing telephone and Internet communications infrastructure is not available. Outside of such emergencies, most of CAP's internal communications are conducted on the Internet. CAP frequencies are designated by the United States Department of Defense as FOUO information.
Other
Some aircraft in the CAP Fleet are equipped with the
Satellite Digital Imaging System (SDIS). This system allows CAP to send back real-time images of a disaster or crash site to anyone with an e-mail address, allowing the mission coordinators to make better decisions.
The Airborne Real-time Cueing
Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance (ARCHER) imaging system, mounted aboard the Gippsland GA8 uses visible and near-infrared light to examine the surface of the Earth and find suspected crash sites or evaluate areas affected by disasters.
The ARCHER system is capable of detecting various colors in the spectrum of light. When the system is looking for a target the operators provide a spectral fingerprint of the object they are looking for. A snapshot is taken and a flag is created for the operator to go back and look at each time ARCHER finds an object that matches the spectral signature for which they are looking. The ARCHER system can also be set up to look for abnormalities in the surrounding area. For example, if you are flying over trees, the main color is green and green variants and the system sees this. If it spots a yellow in a bunch of green it will also flag that area as a possible moving target.
Both the SDIS and ARCHER systems were used to great success in the response to
Hurricane Katrina.
A hand-held radio direction finder, the "L-Per", is used by ground teams to search for downed aircraft.The ground teams carry equipment on their person that they use while in the field. This equipment includes knives, flashlights, signal mirrors, tactical vests, safety vests, and food that will last them at least 24 hours.
Membership
CAP has over 55,000 Senior and Cadet members in over 1,550 local units across the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), in Puerto Rico and at overseas Air Force installations. CAP members are civilians and are not paid by the U.S. government for their CAP service—in fact, they pay dues for membership, as well as paying their expenses for most personal equipment, travel, training and uniforms. They wear various USAF-styled or CAP-unique uniforms and practice
military courtesy.
Senior membership is open to all U.S. Citizens and resident aliens aged 18 and over who are able to pass an FBI background check. There is no upper age limit, nor membership restrictions for physical disabilities, due to the number of different tasks which members may be called on to perform. Cadet membership is open to those between 12 and 18 (a cadet may remain in the Cadet Program until he/she is 21) years of age who maintain satisfactory progress in school.
(See for CAP membership information.)
Senior members
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The
U.S. Civil Air Patrol (
CAP) is the
civilian auxiliaries of the United States Air Force (USAF). It was created on
1 December,
1941 by Administrative Order 9, with Maj. Gen. John F. Curry as the first CAP national commander. Civil Air Patrol is credited with sinking at least two German U-boats during
World War II. Today, CAP is no longer called on to destroy submarines, but is instead a benevolent entity dedicated to education and national service. It is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services (including
search and rescue), aerospace education for youth and the general public, and cadet programs. In addition, it has recently 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.
During World War II, the Civil Air Patrol was seen as a way to use America's civil aviation resources to aid the war effort instead of grounding them (as was the case in Great Britain). The organization eagerly assumed many missions including anti-submarine patrol and warfare, border patrols and courier services. The Civil Air Patrol sighted 173 enemy submarines and sank two. Despite being a volunteer force that was largely untrained in combat and military science, the organization's performance far exceeded expectations.
After the end of
World War II the Civil Air Patrol became a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The incorporation charter declared that CAP would never again be involved in direct combat activities, but would be of a benevolent nature. CAP still actively performs search and rescue missions within the United States. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Civil Air Patrol aircraft provided the first aerial pictures of the World Trade Center site, and also flew transport missions bringing donated blood to New York City.
History
Origin
The general idea of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) originated with a collective brainstorm of
Aviator during the start of World War II. In the later half of the
1930s, the
Axis Powers became a threat to the United States, its allies and its interests. As the Axis steadily took control of the greater part of Europe and South-East Asia, aviation-minded Americans noticed a trend: in all of the conquered countries and territories, civil aviation was more or less halted in order to reduce the risk of
sabotage. Countries that were directly involved in the conflict strictly regulated
general aviation, allowing military flights only. American aviators did not wish to see the same fate befall themselves, but realized that if nothing was done to convince the Federal Government of the United States that civil aviation could be of direct and measurable benefit to the imminent war effort, the government would likely severely limit general aviation.
The concrete plan for a general aviation organization designed to aid the U.S. military at home was envisaged in 1938 by
Gill Robb Wilson. Wilson, then aviation editor of The
New York Herald Tribune, was on assignment in Germany prior to the outbreak of World War II. He took note of the actions and intentions of the Nazism government and its tactic of grounding all general aviation. Upon returning, he reported his findings to the
New Jersey governor, advising that an organization be created that would use the civil air fleet of New Jersey as an augmentative force for the war effort that seemed impending. The plan was approved, and with the backing of Chief of the Army Air Corps General Henry H. Arnold and the
Civil Aeronautics Authority, the New Jersey Civil Air Defense Services (NJCADS) was formed. The plan called for the use of single-engine aircraft for liaison work, as well as coastal and infrastructure patrol. General security activities regarding aviation were also made the responsibility of the NJCADS.
Other similar groups were organized, such as the
AOPA Civil Air Guard and the Florida Defense Force.
During this time, the United States Army Air Corps and the Civil Aeronautics Administration initiated two separate subprograms. The first was the introduction of a civilian pilot refresher course and the Civilian Pilot Training Program. The motive behind this step was to increase the pool of available airmen who could be placed into military service if such a time came. The second step was concentrated more on the civil air strength of the nation in general and called for the organization of civilian aviators and personnel in such a way that the collective manpower and know-how would assist in the seemingly inevitable all-out war effort. This second step was arguably the Federal government's blessing towards the creation of the Civil Air Patrol. It was followed by a varied and intense debate over organizational logistics, bureaucracy and other administrative and practical details.
Thomas Beck, who was at the time the
Chairman of the Board of the
Crowell-Collier Publishing Company, compiled an outline and plan to present to
Franklin D. Roosevelt that would lead up to the organization of the nation's civilian air power. Beck received peer guidance and support from
Guy Gannett, the owner of a
Maine newspaper chain. On 20 May
1941, the Civil defense was created, with former New York City
mayor and
World War I pilot Fiorello H. LaGuardia as the director. Wilson, Beck, and Gannett presented their plan for a national civil air patrol to LaGuardia, and he approved the idea. He then appointed Wilson, Beck, and Gannett to form the so-called "blueprint committee" and charged them with organizing the national aviation resources on a national scale.
By October of 1941 the plan was completed. The remaining tasks were chiefly administrative, such as the appointment of wing commanders, and Wilson left his New York office and traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak with Army officials as the Civil Air Patrol's first executive officer. General Henry "Hap" Arnold organized a board of top military officers to review Wilson's final plan. The board, which included General George E. Stratemeyer (presiding officer of the board), Colonel Harry H. Blee, Major Lucas P. Ordway, Jr., and Major A.B. McMullen, reviewed the plan set forward by Wilson and his colleagues and evaluated the role of the War Department as an agency of the Office of Civilian Defense. The plan was approved and the recommendation was made that Army Air Forces officers assist with key positions such as flight training and logistics.
With the approval of the Army Air Corps, Director LaGuardia signed the order that created the Civil Air Patrol on December 1
1941.
World War II
On
December 1 1941, Director
LaGuardia published Administrative Order 9. This order outlined the Civil Air Patrol's organization and named its first national commander as Major General John F. Curry. Wilson was officially made the executive officer of the new organization. Additionally, Colonel Harry H. Blee was appointed the new operations director.
The very fear that sparked the Civil Air Patrol "movement" – that
general aviation would be halted–became a reality when the
Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor on
7 December 1941. On
8 December 1941, all civil aircraft, with the exception of airliners, were grounded. This ban was lifted two days later (with the exception of the entire West Coast) and things went more or less back to normal.
Earle E. Johnson took notice of the lack of security at general aviation airports despite the attack on Pearl Harbor. Seeing the potential for light aircraft to be used by saboteurs, Johnson took it upon himself to prove how vulnerable the nation was. Johnson took off in his own aircraft from his farm airstrip near Cleveland, Ohio, taking three small
sandbags with him. Flying at 500 feet (~150 meters), Johnson dropped a sandbag on each of three war plants and then returned to his airstrip. The next morning he notified the factory owners that he had "bombed" their facilities. The CAA apparently got Johnson's message and grounded all civil aviation until better security measures could be taken. Not surprisingly, the Civil Air Patrol's initial membership increased along with the new security.CAP Pamphlet 50-5, page 7, "Early Days and Wartime Activities", paragraph 4–6
With America's entrance into World War II, German
U-boats began to operate along the East Coast. Their operations were very effective, sinking a total of 204 vessels by September of 1942. The Civil Air Patrol's top leaders requested that the War Department give them the authority to directly combat the U-boat threat. The request was initially opposed, for the CAP was still a young and inexperienced organization. However, with the alarming numbers of ships being sunk by the U-boats, the War Department finally agreed to give CAP a chance.
On
5 March 1942, under the leadership of the newly promoted National Commander Johnson (the same Johnson that had "bombed" the factories with sandbags), the Civil Air Patrol was given authority to operate a coastal patrol at two locations along the East Coast. They were given a time frame of 90 days to prove their worth. The CAP's performance was outstanding, and before the 90 day period was over, the coastal patrol operations were authorized to expand in both duration and territory.CAPP 50-5, page 8, "Coastal Patrol Authorized", paragraph 1
Coastal Patrol
Originally, the Coastal Patrol was to be unarmed and strictly
reconnaissance. The air crews of the patrol aircraft were to keep in touch with their bases and notify the Army Air Forces and Navy in the area when a U-boat was sighted, and to remain in the area until relieved. This policy was reviewed, however, when the Civil Air Patrol encountered a
turkey shoot opportunity. In May 1942, a CAP crew consisting of "Doc" Rinker and Tom Manning were flying a coastal patrol mission off Cape Canaveral when they spotted a German U-boat. The U-boat crew also spotted the aircraft, but not knowing that it was unarmed, attempted to flee. The U-boat became stuck on a
sandbar, and consequently became an easy target.
Rinker and Manning radioed to mission base the opportunity and circled the U-boat for more than half an hour. Unfortunately, by the time that Army Air Corps bombers came to destroy the U-boat, the vessel had dislodged itself and had escaped to deep waters. As a result of this incident, CAP aircraft were authorized to be fitted with bombs and
depth charges. Some of CAP's larger aircraft had the capability to carry 325 pound (mass) (147 kilogram) in depth charges or bombs. Most light aircraft, however, could only carry 100 pounds (45 kg), which was equivalent to one small bomb. In some cases, the bomb's flight fins had to be partially removed so they would be able to fit underneath the wing of a light aircraft.
One squadron's insignia of the time was a cartoon drawing of a small plane sweating and straining to carry a large bomb. This insignia has become popular throughout CAP.
The CAP's first kill was claimed with one of the larger aircraft. The
Grumman Widgeon, armed with two depth charges and crewed by Captain Johnny Haggins and Major Wynant Farr, was scrambled when another CAP patrol radioed that they had encountered an enemy submarine but were returning to base (due to low fuel). After scanning the area, Farr spotted the U-boat cruising beneath the surface of the waves. Unable to determine accurately the depth of the vessel, Haggins and Ferr radioed the situation back to base and followed the enemy in hopes that it would rise to Periscope. For three hours, the crew shadowed the submarine, but it didn't rise. Just as Haggins was about to return to base, the U-boat rose to periscope depth, and Haggins swung the aircraft around, aligned with the submarine and dove to 100 foot (unit of length) (30 metre). Farr released one of the two depth charges, literally blowing the submarine's front out of the water. As it left an oil slick, Farr released the second charge and debris appeared on the surface, confirming the U-boat's demise and the Civil Air Patrol's first kill.
The kill was perhaps the crowning achievement for CAP's Coastal Patrol, which continued to operate for about 18 months (from
March 5 1942 to
August 31 1943) before being officially retired. In this time frame, the Coastal Patrol reported 173 U-boats, 57 of which were attacked by CAP aircraft with 83 ordnance pieces and two of which were confirmed sunk. In addition, the Coastal Patrol flew 86,865 missions, logging over 244,600 hours. Coastal Patrol aircraft reported 91 ships in distress and played a key role in rescuing 363 survivors of U-boat attacks. 117 floating mines were reported and 5,684 convoy missions were flown for the Navy.CAPP 50-5, page 10, "Coastal Patrol Authorized", paragraph 4
Border Patrol
Between July 1942 and April 1944, the Civil Air Patrol Southern Liaison Patrol was given the task of patrolling the border between
Brownsville, Texas, Texas, and Douglas, Arizona,
Arizona. The Southern Liaison Patrol logged approximately 30,000 flight hours and patrolled roughly 1,000 miles (~1,610 kilometers) of the land separating the
United States and Mexico. Southern Liaison Patrol tasks included looking for indications of
spy or saboteur activity and were similar to counterdrug missions executed by Civil Air Patrol today. Aircraft piloted by the Southern Liaison Patrol often flew low enough to read the license plates on suspicious automobiles traveling in the patrol region.
During its time of operation the Southern Liaison Patrol, more commonly known as the "CAP Border Patrol", reported almost 7,000 out-of-the-ordinary activities and 176 suspicious aircraft' descriptions and direction. During the entire operating period, only two members lost their lives. Considering the fact that the Border Patrol was one of the most dangerous missions CAP flew (along with Coastal Patrol), this is an exceptionally low number.
In a return to its World War II roots, CAP is currently assisting the US Border Patrol with flights along the US-Mexico border to assist in locating illegal immigrants and to route emergency services resources to aid those in distress .
Target towing
In March of 1942, CAP aircraft began towing targets for air-to-air (
Fighter aircraft) and ground-to-air (Anti-aircraft warfare) gunnery practice. Targets would be trailed behind the aircraft (similar to the way an aircraft trails a banner) to simulate strafing attacks. CAP aircraft would also climb to various altitudes and would trail two targets for heavy AA guns to use for practice. Although uncommon, an antiaircraft round would occasionally hit the aircraft. Surprisingly, no deaths resulted from errant shots.
Similarly, CAP aircraft also flew night missions to provide tracking practice for the crews of searchlights and radar units. These missions were dangerous in the sense that the pilot ran the risk of accidentally looking into the glare of a searchlight while performing
Maneuver, which would blind and disorient him. Such was the case of Captain Raoul Souliere, who lost his life after he went into a steep dive; witnesses surmised that he looked into the glare of a spotlight that had locked on to him, became disoriented, and did not realize he was in a dive.
Despite the dangerous nature of these missions, fatalities and accidents were rare. CAP flew target missions for three years with 7 member fatalities, 5 serious injuries and 23 aircraft lost. A total of 20,593 towing and tracking missions were flown.CAPP 50-5, page 13, "Target Towing and Other Missions", paragraph 7
Search and Rescue operations (SAR)
During the period between January 1 1942, and January 1 1946, the Civil Air Patrol flew over 24,000 hours of Federal government of the United States- and Military of the United States-assigned
search and rescue missions in addition to thousands of hours of non-assigned SAR missions. These missions were a huge success, and in one particular week during February of 1945, CAP SAR air crews found seven missing Army and Navy aircraft.
The Civil Air Patrol had several decisive advantages over the
United States Army Air Forces in terms of SAR ability. First, because CAP was using civilian aircraft, they could fly lower and slower than the aircraft of the AAF. Second, unlike AAF pilots, CAP pilots tended to be local citizens and therefore knew the terrain much better. Third, CAP utilized ground teams which would travel to the suspected crash site (often by foot, although some wings had other ways of reaching a wreckage).
Courier service and cargo transportation
In the spring of 1942, the Pennsylvania Wing conducted a 30-day experiment with the intention of convincing the AAF that they were capable of flying cargo missions for the nation. The Pennsylvania Wing transported Army cargo as far as Georgia, and top Army officials were impressed. The War Department gave CAP permission to conduct courier and cargo service for the military.
Although not generally remembered as one of CAP's "glamorous" jobs, cargo and courier transportation was an important job for the organization. From 1942 to 1944, the Civil Air Patrol moved around 1,750
short tons (1,600
metric tons) of mail and cargo and hundreds of military passengers.
Pilot training and the cadet program
In October of 1942, CAP planned a program to recruit and train youth with an emphasis on flight training. The CAP cadets assisted with operational tasks and began indoctrination and training towards becoming licensed pilots. Cadets were not exempt from being
Conscription; however, the military atmosphere and general setting around them would provide an advantage to cadets who were subsequently called into service. To become a cadet, one had to be between the ages of 15 and 17, and be sponsored by a CAP member of the same gender. The cadet program called for physical fitness, completion of the first two years of high school and satisfactory grades. It was open only to native-born American citizens of parents who had been citizens of the United States for at least ten years. These restrictions were intentionally imposed to hold down membership levels until a solid foundation could be established.
Perhaps the most astonishing fact of the cadet program's 20,000-plus initial membership was the
lack of cost; it cost the
Civil defense less than $200 to get the program underway, and this was to cover administrative costs.CAPP 50-5, page 14, "Pilot Training and the Cadet Program", paragraph 5
Other wartime activities
CAP pilots were called on to provide a variety of missions that weren't necessarily combat-related but still of direct benefit to the country. Some of the most notable of these missions were: flying blood bank mercy missions for the
American Red Cross and other similar agencies; forest fire patrol and arson reporting; mock raids to test blackout practices and air raid warning systems; supporting war bond drives; and assisting in salvage collection drives. In the Northwestern states, Civil Air Patrol members, armed with shotguns, flew patrols hoping to spot
fire balloons.
Perhaps the most curious job for CAP was "wolf patrol". In the southwestern
United States, the native wolf population had been disrupting ranching operations. One rancher alone lost over 1,000 head of cattle due to wolf predation. This represented a huge monetary loss to ranchers and an added restriction to the already low supply of beef due to wartime rationing. By the winter of 1944, Texas
ranchers lobbied the Texan governor to enlist the aid of Civil Air Patrol to control the wolf populations. CAP pilots, armed with
firearms, flew over wolf territory and thinned the population to lower levels.
CAP even had its own airbase during the war. A
Federal Aviation Administration auxiliary landing field, northwest of
Baker, California,
California, was given to Civil Air Patrol. Used primarily for training, Silver Lake boasted a hangar, barracks, mess hall and even a swimming pool and bath house.
Results of wartime activities
The Civil Air Patrol's success with the cadet program, along with its impressive wartime record, led the
United States Department of War to create a permanent place for it in the department. On April 29,
1943, by order of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the command of the Civil Air Patrol was transferred from the
Civil defense to the War Department and given status as the auxiliary to the Army Air Forces. On March 4, 1943, the War Department issued
Memorandum W95-12-43, which assigned the AAF the responsibility for supervising and directing operations of the CAP.
One of the direct outcomes of this transfer was the loaning of 288 Piper Cub aircraft from the AAF to the CAP. These aircraft were used in the cadet recruiting program. By 1945 there was an oversupply of cadets and CAP took over the responsibility of administering cadet mental screening tests.
Postwar
With the close of
World War II, CAP suddenly found itself looking for a purpose. It had proved its worthiness and usefulness in wartime, but the ensuing peace had reduced CAP's scope of activities since the AAF assumed a great many of the tasks that the CAP had performed. The very existence of CAP was threatened when the AAF announced that it would withdraw financial support on April 1, 1946, due to massive budget cuts. General "Hap" Arnold called a conference of CAP wing commanders, which convened in January of 1946 and discussed the usefulness and feasibility of a postwar Civil Air Patrol. The conference concluded with the plan to incorporate the Civil Air Patrol.
On
March 1 1946, the 48 wing commanders held the first CAP/Congressional dinner honoring President
Harry S. Truman, the
Seventy-ninth United States Congress, and over 50 AAF generals. The purpose of the dinner was to permit CAP to thank the President and others for the opportunity to serve the country during World War II.
On July 1 1946, Public Law 476 (), was enacted. The law incorporated the Civil Air Patrol and stated that the purpose of the organization was to be "solely of a benevolent character". In other words, the Civil Air Patrol was to never participate in combat operations again. With the creation of the
United States Air Force on
July 26 1947, the command of the Civil Air Patrol was transferred from the United States Army to the newly created Air Force. In October of 1947, a CAP board convened to meet with USAF officials and plan the groundwork of the Civil Air Patrol as the USAF auxiliary. After several meetings the USAF was satisfied and a bill was introduced to the
United States House of Representatives. On
May 26 1948, Public Law 557 () was enacted and CAP became an official auxiliary to the United States Air Force.
Missions
The Civil Air Patrol has three key missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and the Cadet Program.
at the National Emergency Services Academy. The member in front is using a device known as an L-Per, which is the primary piece of equipment used to home in on ELTs.
Emergency Services
There are several Emergency Services areas that the Civil Air Patrol covers. The principal categories include
Search and Rescue missions, Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Services, and Air Force Support. Others, such as
Homeland Security and Counterdrug Operations, are becoming increasingly important.
Search and RescueCivil Air Patrol is arguably best known for its search activities in conjunction with Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. CAP is involved with approximately 60% of the inland SAR missions directed by the
Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Outside of the continental United States, CAP directly supports the Joint Rescue Coordination Centers in Alaska,
Hawaii, and
Puerto Rico. CAP is credited with saving an average of 100 lives per year.
Disaster reliefCAP is particularly active in disaster relief operations, especially in
hurricane-prone areas such as Florida, Mississippi and
Louisiana. CAP air crews and ground personnel provide transportation for cargo and officials. CAP aircrews often provide aerial imagery to emergency managers in order to help them assess damage. In addition, squadrons and Wings often donate manpower and leadership to local, state and federal disaster relief organizations during times of need. In late 2004, several hurricanes hit the southeastern part of the United States,
Florida being the worst damaged. CAP was instrumental in providing help to areas that were hit.
Humanitarian serviceThe Civil Air Patrol conducts Humanitarian Service missions, usually in support of the Red Cross. CAP air crews transport time-sensitive medical materials, such as
blood and Biological tissue, when other means of transportation (such as ambulances) are not practical or possible. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks terrorist attacks on the
World Trade Center in
New York City, all general aviation was grounded. The first plane to fly over the destroyed World Trade Center was a CAP aircraft transporting blood.
Air Force supportCAP performs several missions that are not combat-related in support of the
United States Air Force. Specifically, this includes damage assessment, transportation of officials, communications support and low-altitude route surveys.
Homeland securityAs a humanitarian service organization, CAP assists federal, state and local agencies in preparing for and responding to homeland security needs.
Assistance to other agenciesThe Red Cross,
Salvation Army and other civilian agencies frequently ask Civil Air Patrol to transport vital supplies such as medical technicians, medications and other vital supplies. They often rely on CAP to provide airlift and communications for their disaster relief operations. CAP also assists the United States Coast Guard and
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Aerospace Education Program
Civil Air Patrol's Aerospace Education Program serves the CAP cadet and senior member population as well as the general public. Education for members includes formal, graded courses about all aspects of aviation, including flight physics, dynamics, history, application and others. Courses cover the space program as well as new technologies that make advances in aviation and space exploration possible. There are several programs for CAP pilots to improve their flying skills and earn Federal Aviation Administration ratings.
Through outreach programs, CAP helps school teachers integrate aviation and aerospace into the classroom, providing seminars, course materials and sponsorship of the National Congress on Aerospace Education. CAP members also provide their communities with resources for better management of
airports and other aviation-related facilities and promote the benefits of such facilities.
Aerospace education for cadetsThe CAP Cadet Program has a mandatory aerospace education program; in order to progress, a cadet must take courses and tests relating to aviation. Cadets also have educational opportunities through guest speakers, model building and actual flight.
Aerospace education for senior membersSenior members of the CAP may study aerospace through the Senior Member Professional Development Program. CAP encourages its senior members to learn about aviation and its history, although this is not mandatory. Those who complete the Aerospace Education Program for Senior Members may earn the Chuck Yeager Aerospace Education Award.
Aerospace education for non-membersThe purpose of the External Aerospace Education program, defined in CAP's 1946
congressional charter, is to "encourage and foster civil aviation in local communities". CAP has focused on providing schools and teachers with materials and help for educating youth about aerospace. CAP members visit schools, host field trips, science competitions and fairs, and participate in other related activities. In addition to schools, CAP reaches out to other organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of the USA and 4-H.
Cadet Program
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Concept
Civil Air Patrol's cadet program is a traditional military-style
cadet program. CAP cadets wear modified versions of Air Force uniforms, hold rank and grade, and practice military customs and courtesies. They are also required to maintain physical fitness standards and are tested on their fitness and their knowledge of leadership and aerospace subjects for each promotion. This program is similar to that of the Air Force
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) primarily because the Air Force JROTC program was 'cloned' from the CAP Cadet Program in the 1960s. However, there are several key differences between the two programs.
The current CAP Cadet Program was designed by
John V. Sorenson who held the position of Civil Air Patrol's Director of Aerospace Education in the 1960s. This program is composed of four phases (Learning, Leadership, Command, and Executive) each of which is divided into several achievements. Achievements generally correspond to grade promotions while phases are tied to levels of responsibility. The Cadet Program operates at a local unit (squadron) level with weekly meetings and weekend activities but also has national and wing-sponsored week-long and multi-week summer activities, of which encampments are an example.
One of the strongest features of the CAP Cadet Program is that as Cadets progress, they are given additional responsibility for scheduling, teaching, guiding and commanding the other cadets in their units. They also assist their Senior Staffs in executing the Cadet Program. It is not unusual for a nineteen year-old Cadet officer to command an encampment of hundreds of junior Cadets. This, coupled with the fact that Cadets may also participate in CAP Emergency Services missions, sets CAP's Cadet Program even further apart from other cadet programs.
In CAP, cadets are given ample opportunity to lead and to follow. There is actually less interference by senior members than one might think. In CAP, cadets not only hold command positions at squadron and wing activities, they also plan them. Cadets are the ones who fill out the paperwork, command other cadets, and teach at weekly meetings and weekend and summer events. When someone says something about the Cadet Program, they are talking about what the cadets do, not what the senior members tell them to do.
Organization
The Cadet Program is overseen and administered by senior members who generally specialize in the Cadet Program. At the squadron level, the Cadet Commander's chain of command passes through the Deputy Commander for Cadets before reaching the squadron commander. There are 'Director of Cadet Programs' positions at all command levels above squadron. In addition to the Deputy Commander for Cadets, squadrons also have a Leadership Officer, a Senior Member whose job is to see to the military aspects of the Cadet program, such as uniforms, customs and courtesies.
Cadets have a grade structure similar to the United States Air Force
enlisted and Officer (armed forces) ranks (excluding those of general officers). A Cadet starts as a cadet airman basic and then is promoted as he or she completes each achievement. To complete an achievement, a cadet must pass a physical fitness test as well as two written tests, one for leadership and one for aerospace education. The only exceptions to this rule are the promotion to cadet airman and cadet staff sergeant which have no aerospace test. For some achievements, an additional test of drill proficiency is required. The achievements and their corresponding grades are listed in the table; the
C/ prior to each grade is read as 'Cadet', so C/AB is read as "Cadet Airman Basic".
The milestones in Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Program are the Major General
John F. Curry Award,
Wright Brothers Award, the General
Billy Mitchell Award, the
Amelia Earhart Award, then General Ira C. Eaker Award and the General Carl A. Spaatz Award. As of mid-2005 fewer than 1600 Spaatz Awards have been earned since the first was awarded to Cadet Douglas Roach in 1964. Cadet Roach went on to an Air Force career and later was a pilot on the Thunderbirds (squadron) aerial demonstration team.
Each milestone award in Civil Air Patrol confers upon a cadet various benefits. Upon earning the Mitchell Award and the grade of cadet second lieutenant, a cadet will automatically be given the grade of
Airman First Class upon enlisting in the
United States Air Force or
Private (rank)#United States upon enlisting in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps, though the rank may only be worn after successfully completing Basic Training. Along with being awarded the Earhart Award and being promoted to C/Capt a cadet may attend International Air Cadet Exchange.
According to the CAP National website, the percentages for cadets receiving the milestone awards are as follows:
- Mitchell 12%
- Earhart 5%
- Eaker 2%
- Spaatz 0.05%
Cadets that transfer to the Senior Member side between his or her 18th birthday and 21st birthday receive the rank of Flight Officer (if the highest cadet award earned was the Mitchell), Technical Flight Officer (if the highest cadet award earned was the Earhart) or Senior Flight Officer (if the highest cadet award earned was the Spaatz). If a cadet decides to transfer to the senior side after his or her 21st birthday, they will receive the rank of 2d Lt (if the highest cadet award was the Mitchell), 1st Lt (if the highest cadet award was the Earheart), or Capt (if the highest cadet award was the Spaatz).
Activities
Orientation flightsCadets under the age of 18 are eligible for ten orientation flights in CAP aircraft including five
glider and
fixed-wing aircraft flights. Cadets over 18 years of age can still participate in military orientation flights. Some CAP wings have flight academies where cadets can learn to fly. The USAF and United States Army also frequently schedule orientation flights for CAP cadets in transport aircraft such as the KC-10 Extender,
C-130 Hercules and the C-17 Globemaster III or, in the case of the Army, UH-60 Black Hawk and
CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
National cadet special activities(Note: Course list as of 2006)Civil Air Patrol's National Cadet Special Activities offer a broad range of largely aviation-related summer activities. Most are a week long and they are located in different parts of the country (IACE being the exception).
- Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing Orientation Course - Sponsored by Cessna, this activity shows aircraft construction and maintenance techniques and includes tours of the Cessna Aircraft factory.
- Experimental Aircraft Association Air Academy - Not sponsored by CAP. In addition to orientation flight time, Cadets study the flight, weather, navigation and aircraft construction.
- National Blue Beret - Participants will help conduct Experimental Aircraft Association Oshkosh Airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, the world's largest airshow. This is a 'working vacation' and duties include aircraft marshaling, crowd control and Emergency Locator Transmitter deactivation.
- National Flight Academies (Airplane & Glider) - An opportunity for older Cadets (14 for gliders and 16 for airplanes) to gain flight instruction and, in some cases, a solo flight.
- Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Courses - A glimpse of the training that makes an Air Force pilot. Includes heavy academics, flight facilities tours and may include full-motion simulator time and flight time with an instructor pilot in a T-1A Jayhawk jet trainer. Formerly the Air Education and Training Command Familiarization Course.
- Air Force Pararescue Orientation Course - In this physically demanding activity, Cadets work with actual Pararescuemen learning land navigation, wilderness survival, climbing and rappelling and other PJ skills.
- Air Force Space Command Familiarization Courses - Designed for Cadets with an interest in space-related careers, this course provides an in-depth look at the Air Force Space Command, including missile operations, space command and control and orbital mechanics.
- Air Force Weather Agency Familiarization Course - For Cadets interested in meteorology, this provides a chance to work with members of the Weather Agency and see how weather is forecast and interpreted using state of the art equipment.
- United States Space Camp / Aviation Challenge - Also not sponsored by CAP. Conducted at the United States Space & Rocket Center, this course focuses on space exploration, and features flight simulation, physiology, crew equipment and more.
- Cadet Officer School - A course for Cadet officers based on Air Force Squadron Officer's School. It is held at the Air University at Maxwell AFB and teaches presentation skills, critical thinking, ethics and hands-on leadership.
- Civic Leadership Academy - Held in Washington, D.C., this course explores the functions of our government and political processes.
- Hawk Mountain Ranger School - The Colonel Phillip Neuweiler Ranger Training Facility at Hawk Mountain is the oldest continually operated school of search and rescue in the United States. This activity teaches basic and advanced CAP SAR techniques as well as survival, rope work, first aid and leadership.
- Honor Guard Academy - This activity teaches Air Force Honor Guard techniques and provides instruction on creating an Honor Guard at a Cadet's home unit. Cadets are also taught military discipline and protocol of the type required by an Honorguardsman, as well as the four elements of the Honor Guard: the Ceremonial/Demonstration Element, the Colors Element, the Funeral Element and the Drama Element (which involves plays and skits promoting a drug-free lifestyle and depicting the consequences of abusing illegal substances).
- International Air Cadet Exchange - Perhaps the premier NCSA, IACE is an opportunity for two weeks of international travel to countries around the world and meet cadets of other organizations, such as the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. A CAP Cadet must have earned the Amelia Earhart award and have a minimum grade of C/Capt to apply for IACE. Cadets from 19 nations are sent to either Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States or the United Kingdom.
- National Emergency Services Academy - An in-depth SAR school teaching all aspects of the CAP Emergency Services mission.
- Airline Careers Exploration - A hands on activity where cadets learn about careers within the airline industry including pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and flight attendants.
Cadets and the military
CAP members do not incur any military obligation. However, the
United States Congress stated in the
Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act of 2000 that CAP and similar programs "provide significant benefits for the Armed Forces, including significant public relations benefits."106th United States Congress, 2D Session (2000-04-06).
Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act of 2000 (H.R. 4208). United States Government Printing Office. Retrieved on
2007-10-18 CAP cadets who go on to join the Air Force can enter as an Airman First Class (E-3) if they have earned the Mitchell Award. Most cadets choose not to go on to military careers; among those that do, many choose branches of service other than the Air Force. CAP cadets that do enter the military perform statistically better during recruit training and at the various service academies than their peers without CAP cadet experience.
Scores of former CAP cadets have gone on to become military leaders, many achieving notoriety, including: Lt
Shane Osborne, pilot of the United States Navy EP-3E Aries II aircraft which collided with a Chinese fighter in April 2001; Capt
Scott O'Grady, whose
F-16 was shot down over
Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995; Lt Col Eric A. Boe, NASA pilot and Director of Operations, Russia; Commander William Oefelein, NASA astronaut and
STS-116 pilot; and General
Michael E. Ryan, former
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. Major Nicole Malachowski, a former CAP cadet from Las Vegas, Nevada, has become the first woman pilot to join the USAF Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team beginning in 2006. Other notable former cadets include Jack Sarfatti, a theoretical physicist, and 2007 Blue Angels South Carolina crash, a
United States Navy Blue Angels pilot. Some former cadets became more infamous than famous, including Lee Harvey Oswald, David Ferrie,
Barry Seal, and
James R. Bath, as well as David Graham (murderer) and
Diane Zamora, of the "Texas Cadet Murder" case, which later became a made-for-TV movie.
Cadet Oath
Cadets ascribe to the following oath during their membership:
Cadet Honor Code
The Air Force Academy Cadet Honor Code -
"I will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God." - is mentioned in Cadet Program materials and some units use it as an additional standard of behavior. However, it is not an official part or requirement of the CAP Cadet Program and even varies from unit to unit. One version of this is
"A cadet will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate any among us who do so."
Equipment
The Civil Air Patrol operates fixed-wing aircraft, training gliders, ground vehicles and a national radio communications network.
Aircraft
The Civil Air Patrol owns and operates the world's largest fleet of single-engine Cessna aircraft, predominantly
Cessna 172 Skyhawk and Cessna 182 Skylane aircraft.
In 2003, the unique Australian designed and built 8 seat Gippsland GA8 Airvan was added to the corporate fleet, making CAP the first American organization to own and operate this aircraft, and the largest fleet owner of the GA8 Airvan world wide. These aircraft carry the Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance system, which can be used to search for aircraft wreckage based on its spectral signature.
Other aircraft types include the
Cessna 206 and the Maule MT-235. Some members use their own airplanes. CAP also has several dozen gliders, such as the LET L-23, the
Schleicher ASK 21 and the Schweizer SGS 2-33, used mainly for cadet orientation flights.
In addition to CAP's fleet of more than 530 aircraft, over 4,000 member-owned aircraft are made available for official tasking by CAP's volunteers should the need arise. Aircraft on search missions are generally manned by a crew of three: A aviator, responsible for the safe flying of the aircraft; a Mission Observer, responsible for Navigation, Communications and coordination of the mission (as well as actually looking out the window); and a Mission Scanner who is responsible for looking out the window for crash sites and damage clues. Additionally, the Mission Scanner may double as an
Satellite Digital Imaging System operator. Larger aircraft may have additional Scanners aboard, providing greater visual coverage.
Ground vehicles
CAP owns roughly 1,000 vehicles (mostly vans for carrying personnel) and assigns them to units for use in the organizations missions. Members who use their own vehicles are reimbursed for fuel, oil and communications costs during a USAF-assigned emergency services mission.
Communication
CAP operates a national radio network of High frequency (SSB) and
VHF (FM) radios, repeaters, and packet radio computers. Radio communications are now facilitated under
NTIA specifications, which has required replacement of a significant portion of the network's infrastructure. CAP's radio network is designed for use during a national or regional emergency when existing telephone and Internet communications infrastructure is not available. Outside of such emergencies, most of CAP's internal communications are conducted on the Internet. CAP frequencies are designated by the United States Department of Defense as
FOUO information.
Other
Some aircraft in the CAP Fleet are equipped with the Satellite Digital Imaging System (SDIS). This system allows CAP to send back real-time images of a disaster or crash site to anyone with an e-mail address, allowing the mission coordinators to make better decisions.
The Airborne Real-time Cueing
Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance (ARCHER) imaging system, mounted aboard the
Gippsland GA8 uses visible and near-infrared light to examine the surface of the Earth and find suspected crash sites or evaluate areas affected by disasters.
The ARCHER system is capable of detecting various colors in the spectrum of light. When the system is looking for a target the operators provide a spectral fingerprint of the object they are looking for. A snapshot is taken and a flag is created for the operator to go back and look at each time ARCHER finds an object that matches the spectral signature for which they are looking. The ARCHER system can also be set up to look for abnormalities in the surrounding area. For example, if you are flying over trees, the main color is green and green variants and the system sees this. If it spots a yellow in a bunch of green it will also flag that area as a possible moving target.
Both the SDIS and ARCHER systems were used to great success in the response to Hurricane Katrina.
A hand-held radio direction finder, the "L-Per", is used by ground teams to search for downed aircraft.The ground teams carry equipment on their person that they use while in the field. This equipment includes knives, flashlights, signal mirrors, tactical vests, safety vests, and food that will last them at least 24 hours.
Membership
CAP has over 55,000 Senior and Cadet members in over 1,550 local units across the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), in Puerto Rico and at overseas Air Force installations. CAP members are civilians and are not paid by the U.S. government for their CAP service—in fact, they pay dues for membership, as well as paying their expenses for most personal equipment, travel, training and uniforms. They wear various USAF-styled or CAP-unique uniforms and practice
military courtesy.
Senior membership is open to all U.S. Citizens and resident aliens aged 18 and over who are able to pass an FBI background check. There is no upper age limit, nor membership restrictions for physical disabilities, due to the number of different tasks which members may be called on to perform. Cadet membership is open to those between 12 and 18 (a cadet may remain in the Cadet Program until he/she is 21) years of age who maintain satisfactory progress in school.
(See for CAP membership information.)
Senior members
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Civil Air Patrol Online
Aviation based organisation providing education, cadet programs and operational assistance.
Civil Air Patrol Online
CAP is a nonprofit organization withover 64,000 members. It performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
Coeur d'Alene Civil Air Patrol
Welcome
USAF Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol
Information on the various programs and services Civil Air Patrol provides can be found by visiting the National Headquarters Home Page. The National Headquarters site also ...
Civil Air Patrol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). While the CAP is sponsored by the Air Force, it is not an operating reserve component ...
Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol
President : Wing Commander K H Wallis MBE DEng(HC) FRAeS FSETP RAF(Ret'd)
The Civil Air Patrol :.
The Civil Air Patrol :.
Pennsylvania Wing, Civil Air Patrol, USAF Auxiliary
PAWG Glider Encampment Article Tuesday, 05 Aug 2008, by JColgan. The Pennsylvania Wing Glider Encampment was featured in an article in The Morning Call.
Civil Air Patrol - California Wing
Th i This is an official CAP Internet Operation conducted in accordance with CAPR 110-1. ©2001, Civil Air Patrol. All Rights Reserved.
