Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation
that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer
organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds,
lifestyles, and occupations. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency
services, which includes search and rescue (by air and ground) and disaster relief operations;
aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth.
Civil Air Patrol History -- In the late 1930s, more than 150,000 volunteers with a love for aviation
argued for an organization to put their planes and flying skills to use in defense of their country.
As a result, the Civil Air Patrol was born one week prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Thousands of volunteer members answered America's call to national service and sacrifice by
accepting and performing critical wartime missions. Assigned to the War Department under the
jurisdiction of the Army Air Corps, the contributions of Civil Air Patrol, including logging more than
500,000 flying hours, sinking two enemy submarines, and saving hundreds of crash victims during
World War II, are well documented.
After the war, a thankful nation understood that Civil Air Patrol could continue providing valuable
services to both local and national agencies. On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed
Public Law 476 incorporating Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization. On May 26,
1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 permanently establishing Civil Air Patrol as the auxiliary of
the new U.S. Air Force. Three primary mission areas were set forth at that time: aerospace
education, cadet programs, and emergency services.
Read More .... CLICK HERE
Visit the National Museum for the Civil Air Patrol - Click Here
Read about the Carroll County Composite Squadron - Click Here
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