| R E N T O N C O M P O S I T E S Q U A D R O N P C R - W A - 0 6 9 |
| As an official auxiliary of the Air Force, CAP has three principal missions--emergency services including communications, aerospace education and training, and a cadet training and motivation program. EMERGENCY SERVICES: This is CAP's best-known activity. It entails air and ground search and rescue, local disaster relief, as well as cooperation with and assistance to other emergency services agencies. CAP members fly 80 percent of all the hours flown on search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. The center coordinates search and rescue efforts within the inland search and rescue region (48 contiguous states). Civil Air Patrol is also active in Alaska where it is directed in its search operations by the Alaskan Air Command Rescue Coordination Center. In Hawaii, the patrol works under the direction of the Pacific Air Forces Joint Rescue Coordination Center. In Puerto Rico, Civil Air Patrol works in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard and local civil authorities. In the last five years, CAP crews have been involved in more than 5,500 search and rescue or other emergency service missions. During this time, these volunteers were credited with saving the lives of more than 425 persons and with locating the objects of their searches nearly 2,500 times. These missions required more than 92,000 hours of flying time. CAP, as well as members who fly their own airplanes on these missions, are reimbursed by the Air Force for fuel, oil, and communication expenses. In addition, the Air Force now provides maintenance costs for these as well as for certain training missions. Often, CAP members also help out in missions which may involve airlifting blood or donor organs, medication and civil or relief officials to disaster areas. Disaster relief missions may also involve air surveillance of disaster areas, as well as the air evacuation of the stranded, sick or injured. Rescue work and aid are provided during floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other emergencies. CAP maintains a nationwide network of over 20,000 radio stations which provides an invaluable backup to state, local civil defense and Air Force communications. Locally, the stations support state disaster plans and provide communications for CAP search and rescue and other disaster relief missions. AEROSPACE EDUCATION: CAP aerospace education programs help inform the public about air and space matters. Over the past 30 years, CAP has supported about 4,000 aerospace education workshops for teachers and education officials at more than 250 colleges and universities around the country. These programs have prepared nearly 200,000 teachers to teach aerospace education courses in their schools or to enrich the usual classroom subjects. Other important services offered include assistance in curriculum planning at all levels and educational materials for use by teachers in their classrooms. CAP's Center for Aerospace Education Development develops, publishes and distributes materials to teachers. These materials range from pamphlets and activity booklets to a complete high school elective course. They are produced and sold at a cost far below commercially available products. CAP keeps in close contact with education departments at all levels and with agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Air and Space Museum, and the Air Force Association. These contacts promote and expand aerospace education in the nation's schools. Also, the patrol provides yearly scholarship funds to cadet and senior members. These funds help finance college studies in engineering, the humanities, education, science and other fields relating to air and space. CADET PROGRAM: The cadet program is designed to inspire the country's youth to become leaders and dynamic American citizens through an interest in flying. Young men and women who are American citizens or aliens "lawfully admitted for permanent residency" may become Civil Air Patrol cadets. They must have completed the sixth grade or be at least 13 years old to become members. The maximum age for entering the cadet program is 18. Cadets take part in a number of programmed and special activities. From these they develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand the total impact of air and space operations on society. They learn discipline by studying leadership and by learning military drill and courtesies. They become physically fit through a special physical training program. Through studies and other activities, cadets work their way through a series of 15 achievements. As cadets progress, they earn increased rank, ribbons or certificates and also become eligible for nationally sponsored special activities and may compete for academic scholarships. Cadets are assigned to squadrons staffed by senior members who guide and assist them through the program. A popular activity is the flying program. It promotes an interest in aviation by providing orientation flights and scholarships to cover flying training through solo qualification. The most sought-after activity of advanced cadets is the International Air Cadet Exchange. Each summer, about 120 cadets and their adult escorts travel to one or the other of some 20 foreign countries. In return, cadets from foreign lands visit the United States as guests of Civil Air Patrol and the Air Force. Such trips promote goodwill and understanding among the world's youth who share a common interest in aviation. Additional activities include cadet summer encampments at nearly 75 U.S. military bases and a cadet officer school. There are also familiarization courses at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, and eight geographical regions, each with from five to nine wings. There are 52 wings in all, one in each state plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Wings are divided in groups, squadrons, and sometimes flights. There are about 1,700 individual units. A national board governs the organization. The board includes the national commander, national vice commander, executive director, national finance officer, national legal officer, eight region commanders and 52 wing commanders. The board meets twice every year. The national executive committee (the national board, minus the 52 wing commanders) meets twice a year and conducts the Civil Air Patrol's affairs when the National Board is not in session. The executive director, who manages the day-to-day affairs of the organization at the national level, is named by the National Executive Committee. The senior Air Force Advisor to Civil Air Patrol is an Air Force Colonel who is also the Commander of CAP-USAF. In addition, some 78 officers, 78 airmen and 16 civilians, all Air Force personnel, are assigned to the 60 region and wing offices for liaison duty with CAP. They provide advice and help the Civil Air Patrol perform its missions. sources: Overlake Composite Squadron |
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