Description
An auxiliary of the United States Air Force, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a volunteer organization comprised of cadets, ages 12-21, and senior members, ages 18 and above. Comprised of three major missions, CAP focuses on aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet programs.
Cadet Programs:
Civil Air Patrol inspires youth to be responsible citizens. Cadets serve their communities by helping with CAP’s real-world humanitarian efforts. In addition, they gain an appreciation for America’s role in the global community. The Cadet Program is developed around five program elements: Leadership, Character Development, Aerospace Education, Physical Fitness, and Activities. As cadets participate in these five elements, they advance through a series of achievements, earning honors and increased responsibilities along the way.
Aerospace Education:
Civil Air Patrol’s aerospace education program includes history, aerospace principles and the relevance of aerial and space flight in today’s world. From flying in a powered aircraft or glider flights to learning about and flying model rockets, CAP’s aerospace program is quite extensive and varies in activities.
Emergency Services:
Perhaps best known for our search-and-rescue efforts, CAP flies more than 85 percent of all federal inland search-and-rescue missions. CAP also provides air and ground transportation and an extensive communications network for disaster relief programs. CAP provided support in disaster relief during the unprecedented flooding in the Midwest and recorded the damaging events of the October 2013 blizzard "Atlas" in South Dakota.
