Civil Air Patrol | |
---|---|
Active | 1941–present |
Country | United States of America |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Civilian auxiliary |
Size | 32,557[1] Senior Members (as of 31 March 2016) 23,798[2] Cadets (as of 31 March 2016) 535 light aircraft 4,300 volunteer-owned aircraft 1,000+ CAP-owned vehicles |
Headquarters | Maxwell Air Force Base |
Motto(s) | "Semper Vigilans" Always Vigilant |
March | "The C.A.P. Is On The Go"[3] |
Engagements | World War II |
Commanders | |
National Commander | Maj Gen Mark E. Smith, CAP |
Aircraft flown | |
Powered: Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Cessna 206, MT-7-235, de Havilland L-20, Gippsland GA8 Unpowered: LET L-23, Schweizer SGS 2-33 |
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a non-profit organization that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with members from many backgrounds. It performs three missions: emergency services, which includes search and rescue (by air and ground) and disaster relief operations; aeronautics education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth.
Membership in the organization consists of cadets ranging from 12 to just under 21 years of age. Senior members are 18 years of age and up. All members wear uniforms while performing their duties.