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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCivil Air Patrol Fact Sheet 1977AIR FORCE fact sheet CIVIL AIR PATROL 77 -32 The Civil Air Patrol is made up of aviation - minded citizens committed to serving the country through helping to meet local and national emergencies, encouraging the public to learn more about air and space matters, and motivating young men and women to take leadership and service roles in the community. History The Civil Air Patrol was organized Dec. 1, 1941, as part of the U.S. Civil Defense structure and shortly thereafter became involved in the war effort. During World War II, its members provided orientation flights to thousands of prospective aviation cadets and recruits. Members also flew more than 24 million miles on coastal patrol operations and summoned help for 91 ships in distress and 363 survivors of submarine attacks. Volunteer crews spotted 173 enemy submarines, bombed 57 of them, and received credit for sinking or seriously damaging at least two. Others were destroyed by planes and ships summoned by Civil Air Patrol radio operators. Civil Air Patrol crews flew a variety of other wartime missions including: a courier service for airlift of personnel and light cargo; target- towing and tracking flights for training antiaircraft gunners; powerline and pipeline surveillance; forest fire patrol; and patrol along the southern U.S. border. Sixty -four members lost their lives while performing wartime operations. The organization became a permanent peacetime institution on July 1, 1946, when President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 476, 79th Congress, incorporating the Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization. After the Department of the Air Force was established in September 1947 as a separate military service of the Department of Defense, efforts were initialed to make the Civil Air 1'atrol a permanent civilian auxiliary of the Air Forcc. These efforts succeeded in May 1948 with the enactment of Public Law 557, 80th Congress. Organization The Civil Air Patrol is organized along the lines of the Air Force. It has a national headquarters and eight geographical regions, with each region being composed of from six to nine wings. There are 52 wings, one in each state plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The wings are subdivided into groups, squadrons, and in some instances, flights. In all, there are more than 2,000 individual units. The organization is governed by a national board composed of a national commander, national vice commander, executive director, national finance officer, national legal officer, eight regional commanders, and 52 wing commanders. The national board meets annually, elects the national commander and national vice commander, and establishes board corporate policy. The national executive committee, which has the same membership as the board, minus the 52 wing commanders, meets quarterly. This committee is responsible for conducting most of the organization's business. The executive director, who serves as the organization's chief administrator, is an Air Force general officer designated by the Secretary of the Air Force. He is assisted by a staff of 115 Air Force personnel at Civil Air Patrol headquarters, Maxwell AFB, Ala., who are assigned to Air University. In addition, 76 officers, 68 airmen, and 16 civilians are assigned to 60 regional and wing offices for liaison duty with the Civil Air Patrol. They provide advice and assistance to the corporation in carrying out its mission. Personnel The Civil Air Patrol has about 64,000 members, including 28,000 cadets (teenageers) and 36,000 senior members (adults). All are volunteers. They wear a uniform similar to the Air Force with special Civil Air Patrol insignia. Of the senior members, more than 15,000 have Federal Aviation Administration pilot certificates. Additional thousands are qualified observers and fly on various Civil Air Patrol missions. Members fly approximately 5,000 privately owned and 700 corporation owned aircraft. In addition, they operate more than 3,500 trucks, jeeps, ambulances, and sedans, and maintain 19,000 radio stations in a national communications network of fixed, mobile, and airborne systems. Membership in Civil Air Patrol does not count toward military service nor obligate individuals to any form of active Armed Forces duty. Mission In its capacity as an official auxiliary of the Air Force, Civil Air Patrol fulfills three primary functions: emergency services, including communications, aerospace education and training; and a cadet training program. Emergency Services - This is a function with which the organization has been most involved. It entails air search and rescue, local disaster relief, and civil defense. Members fly 70 percent of all hours expended on search and rescue missions coordinated by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, which coordinates search and rescue efforts within the inland search and rescue region (48 contiguous states). In 1976, Civil Air Patrol pilots flew 17,604 hours on search and rescue missions and were credited with 395 "finds" and 34 lives saved. The pilots who fly these missions in their own aircraft are reimbursed by the Air Force for fuel, oil, and communications expenses. This results in a considerable savings over what it would cost if these missions were flown in Air Force aircraft. In addition to search and rescue, members are often involved in disaster relief activities. These missions may involve airlifting blood, drugs, and Red Cross personnel to disaster areas and the air evacuation of sick and injured people. Rescue work and assistance is provided during floods, hurricanes, or other disasters. The organization also maintains a nationwide network of radio stations that provide an invaluable backup to state and local civil defense Preparedness agency communications. Locally, it is an integral part of state disaster emergency Preparedness plans, serving in an avta to rt capacity. There are also Civil Air Patrol air mobile support teams in each state to respond to emergencies. Their activities are coordinated through a statewide Civil Air Patrol -civil defense communications network. Aerospace Education —Civil Air Patrol educational efforts have the ultimate objective of a public informed on aerospace activities. Over the past 20 years, the organization has supported about 4,000 aerospace education workshops for teachers at more than 250 colleges and universities throughout the United States. These programs prepared more than 150,000 teachers either to teach aerospace education courses in their schools or to use this information to enrich traditional classroom subjects. The Civil Air Patrol maintains a close liaison with state departments ()I' education and with agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Aerospace Education Association for the purpose of promoting and expanding aerospace education in the Nation's schools. In addition, the organization provides $41,000 yearly in scholarship funds to deserving cadets and senior members for study in engineering, the humanities, education, science, and other fields related to aerospace. Cadet Training —The cadet program is designed to develop and motivate the youth of the country toward leadership roles and responsible citizenship through an interest in aviation. Any young man or woman who is an American citizen or permanent resident and has completed the sixth grade, or is 13 through 17 years of age may become a Civil Air Patrol cadet and participate in the cadet programs. Cadets participate in various special activities; develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for understanding the total impact of air and space operations on society; learn self - discipline through study of leadership practices and military training; face moral issues of the times through discussion and debate; and become and remain physically fit through a special aerobics program. Through a combination of study and performance, cadets work their way through a series of 15 achievements, each of which encompasses the factors t... mentioned above. As cadets progress, they are rewarded with increased rank, ribbons and certificates, eligibility for nationally sponsored special activities, and eligibility to compete for academic scholarships. Cadets are assigned to squadrons staffed by senior members who guide and assist them in progressing through the program. Of 'the nationally sponsored cadet activities, the most popular is the flying program. It promotes interest in aviation by providing orientation flights, in addition to offering scholarships to cover flight training through solo qualification. The most sought -after activity of advanced cadets is the International Air Cadet Exchange. Each summer, approximately 200 cadets travel to some 22 foreign countries protnoting goodwill, understanding, and fellowship among the world's youth who share a common interest in aviation. In return, cadets from foreign lands visit the United States as guests of the Civil Air Patrol and the Air Force. Additional activities are available. These include cadet summer encampments at approximately 35 Air Force or other military bases throughout the United States; a space flight orientation course; a communications- electronics course; Federal Aviation Administration orientation course; cadet officer school; the Air Training Command familiarization course; the Air Force Logistics Command orientation course; an Air Force chaplain- sponsored Christian encounter /spiritual life conference; national emergency assistance training; and national cadet competitions in various categories. Senior i%fcnihrr Training -- Adult members can enroll in various phases of training to attain n working knowledge of flight principles, air navigation, weather, communications, emergency services, and first aid. Initial training for senior personnel includes an introduction to the organization, aerospace orientation, and moral leadership. Later, they upgrade their skills through officer and functional training, which includes home study courses in written and oral communications, military drill and ceremonies, principles of learning, methods of teaching, personnel management, leadership, and associated subjects. Air Force Support In addition to providing an executive director and liaison personnel, the Air Force provides considerable logistical support. By serving as an intermediary, the Air Force obtains Department of Defense excess items such as aircraft and spare aircraft parts, motor vehicles, office supplies, electronic communications equipment, rescue equipment, and training aids. The Air Force provides airlift, when available, for many Civil Air Patrol programs as well as orientation flights for cadets. Air Force housing, medical and dining facilities, classrooms, offices, training aids, instructors, and advisors are also provided to insure the success of Civil Air Patrol summer encampment programs. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel may also contribute their services as instructors and advisors to Civil Air Patrol units, under provisions of Air Force Regulation 45 -10 and directives of the individual components. They also have opportunities for active -duty tours to assist in conducting and supervising Civil Air Patrol activities. Regional Offices Addresses for the regional liaison offices are as follows: Northeast USAF -CAP LR Bldg 17 -31 Stop 20 -D McGuire AFB, NJ 08641 Middle East USAF -CAP LR Andrews AFB, MD 20331 North Central USAF -CAP LR Bldg 751 Minneapolis -St. Paul IAP Minneapolis, MN 55450 Southwest USAF -CAP LR USNAS Dallas, TX 75211 Great Lakes USAF -CAP LR (MCLGLR) Wright- Patterson AFB, O1I 45433 Southeast USAF -CAP LR Box 3117 Dobbins AFB, GA 30060 Rocky Mountain USAF -CAP LR Lowry AFB, CO 80230 Pacific USAF -CAP LR Mather AFB, CA 95655 Supersedes USAF Background Information Pamphlet 70-10 August 1977