What We Do
What We Do
Civil Air Patrol is America’s premier public service organization for carrying out emergency services and disaster relief missions nationwide. As the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP’s vigilant citizen volunteers are there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep the homeland safe. Its 60,000 members selflessly devote their time, energy, and expertise toward the well-being of their communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.
“Volunteers Serving America’s Communities, Saving Lives, and Shaping Futures.”
Emergency Services
Always prepared, both in the air and on the ground, members of the Civil Air Patrol perform emergency services for state and local agencies as well as the federal government as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and states/local communities as a nonprofit organization. Ever vigilant, these true patriots make a difference in their communities, not only to assist in times of disaster but also to search for the lost and protect the homeland.
Emergency Services requires the greatest training, and the utmost care because on every mission life or property is at risk.
The Civil Air Patrol is assigned missions by the Pentagon and the United States Air Force. We also work with many other federal agencies like the Department of Emergency Services, Department of Homeland Security, DEA, and FEMA.
Search and Rescue is probably the most popular function of Emergency Services among cadets, where we search for downed aircraft and/or missing persons. Each mission has Air Crews, Incident Command, and Ground Crews. Air Crews fly overhead to take aerial photographs, note ground crew positions, and search for wreckage. They send this information to Incident Command, where radio operators and incident commanders strategize the search. Ground crews search from ground level whether by foot, ATVs, or snowmobiles, for signs of wreckage or clues to meet the objective. Each ground crew may consist of four cadet or senior members.
Aerospace Education
Civil Air Patrol’s awarding-winning aerospace education program promotes aerospace, aviation, and STEM-related careers with engaging, standards-based, hands-on curriculum and activities. It shapes the experiences and aspirations of youth both in and outside of CAP’s cadet program.
As a cadet, half of this mission is accomplished through academics. That begins with the seven Aerospace Modules. The first module is Introduction to Flight, in which an individual learns about basic flight theory and aeronautics. Second is Aircraft Systems and Airports, a cadet will accustom themselves with airport rules, and aircraft systems and gadgets. Third, Air Environment deals mainly with meteorology. The fourth, is Rockets, in which the history of rocketry and the race for space are all discussed. In the fifth, Space Environment, we prepare ourselves to explore brave new worlds, and their environments. Sixth, Spacecraft, is the study of manmade satellites like GPS, manned space missions such as Apollo and Gemini, and our more current space programs. The final module covers the relatively new realm of cyberspace and an introduction into cybersecurity. The next stage of a cadet’s academic career in aerospace education is through the book “Journey of Flight” which covers the previous topics in greater academic depth.
The next half of Aerospace education is through physical application. Those come through Orientation Flights and working towards your Privat Pilot License. CAP also has STEM kits that familiarize cadets with robotics, programming, RC flying, and much more.
Cadet Programs
Civil Air Patrol’s cadet program transforms youth into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders through a curriculum that focuses on leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. As cadets participate in these four elements, they advance through a series of achievements, earning honors and increased responsibilities along the way. Many of the nation’s astronauts, pilots, engineers, and scientists first explored their careers through CAP.
Cadets receive most of their training through CAP’s Cadet Programs. These programs instill leadership, drill, physical fitness, and many extra life skills, including cyber security, and flight training. Our primary training tools are Cadet Special Activities, essentially cooler summer camps. One of the most crucial of these is Encampment, a week-long mini bootcamp for cadets to learn basic leadership, drill, CAP history, and how to work in a team for a common objective. There are also National Cadet Special Activities such as: the International Air Cadet Exchange where cadets can travel to other countries and represent our program and our nation, the National Blue Beret, being the largest airshow in the US, and National Flight Academies that certify you to pilot many types of aircraft and start your way to a private pilot's license, these are only a few of many amazing opportunities. Cadet Programs also include weekly meetings along with testable leadership and aerospace modules in order to promote.
