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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCivil Air Patrol Annual Report FY 1977CIVIL AIR PATROL ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS CIVIL AIR PATROL — USAF AUXILIARY — Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 36112 TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES Civil Air Patrol was created on 1 December 1941 as a unified national system to make civil aviation pilots and aircraft available to the national defense effort. Established by Executive Order, CAP functioned under the Office of Civilian Defense until 29 April 1943, at which time the Army Air Corps was assigned jurisdiction over its operations for the remainder of the war years. Civil Air Parol was chartered by the 79th U.S. Congress on 1 July 1946 as a benevolent, non - profit corporation by Public Law 476, and on 26 May 1948 the 80th Congress granted it status as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force under Public Law 557. CAP has since served the nation with its programs for youth development, emergency services, and aerospace education. During 1977, CAP continued to build upon its long record of achieve- ment and service with a solid performance in each of the three mission areas. Outlined in this report are details of CAP's record - breaking per- formance in search and rescue, innovative developments in aerospace education, and continued progress in leadership development for both its cadet and senior members. We know that good people are the backbone of every successful enter- prise, and we are proud of the capable and dedicated CAP volunteers and are gratified with CAP's overall 1977 performance achieved through their efforts. We know, too, that the continued understanding and support of the Congress has been fundamental to CAP's success ... and for this we are also grateful. On 3 December 1977, one of our charter members and past National Board Chairman, Paul W. Turner, passed away. We lost a friend who will long be remembered as a man of vision and great accomplishment. This report of Civil Air Patrol activities during calendar year 1977 is submitted as required by Public Law 476. THOMAS C. CASADA Brigadier General, CAP National Commander PAUL E. GARDNER Brigadier General, USAF Executive Director A volunteer organization can be successful only if its objectives are worthwhile and even the success is totally dependent upon the commitment and dedication of the volunteer members who contribute their time, talents, and resources in support of those objectives. Organizations can also unite in support of a common cause. Civil Air Patrol is associated in mutually supportive relationships with local, national and international organizations in areas of common interest. As a volunteer organization with limited resources, Civil Air Patrol has found that such relation- ships help insure that the maximum potential of each organization will more nearly be realized. AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION (AFA) The AFA participates in the National Congress on Aero- space Education each year and cooperates with CAP in other aerospace education projects. A good example of the latter is the awarding of a national scholarship and several state and local scholarships to participants of the Aero- space Education Leadership Development Course. The con - tinued Afa support of CAP in all of its activities is deeply appreciated. AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC. (AIA) The keynote speaker of the first Aerospace Eduation Leadership Development Course was Dr. Karl G. Harr, Jr., President of Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. The AIA provided outstanding support in supplying materials for the course as well as handout materials for stfidents. Dr. Harr's expertise as a speaker and the materials provided by AIA were of inestimable assistance to Civil Air Patrol in the development and pro- duction of the first AELDC. OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL Optimist Clubs throughout the nation sponsor Civil Air Patrol cadet units. In their sponsorship program, Optimists provide both a service to their community and to the youth of the nation. The Optimist International urges Optimist Clubs to extend and enrich their service to their communi- ties by sponsoring CAP cadet squadrons. Mountain Search. CAP pilots in the western states must, of necessity, be specialists in the more difficult and hazardous mountain search. Mountain terrain, combined with weather con- ditions during the winter months, limit the search mission to only the most skilled pilots. Aerospace Education. Gary Moen (left) of the NASA Ames Research Center made presentations on the space program to 200 members of the CAP Washington Wing as part of his scheduled program on aerospace education in schools and aerospace education workshops throughout the state. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) The NASA sponsored Space Flight Orientation Course for CAP cadets is conducted annually at the Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala- bama. CAP is also associated with NASA as cosponsors of the National Congress on Aerospace Education and works closely in other joint projects such as aerospace edu- cation workshops for teachers. Dr. Fred Tuttle, of NASA's Education Programs Division, is a member of the CAP National Aerospace Education Advisory Committee. Dr. Robert S. Tiemann, Education Programs Officer. NASA, and Dr. David Williamson, Administrator of Spec- ial Projects, NASA, participated in the first Aerospace Education Leadership Development Course sponsored by Civil Air Patrol and held at Maxwell Air Force Base in June -July 1977. Dr. Tiemann was a member of the Aero- space Education Resources Panel and Dr. Williamson ad- dressed the course participants on the U.S. Space Program Issue. NASA's participation and support of the fist AELDC was greatly appreciated. ORDER OF DAEDALIANS This multi - service fraternal organization of military pilots supports CAP through financial contributions for local squadron activities and solo and private pilot scholar- ships on both a local and national level. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) The FAA assists in all three of CAP's mission areas. The FAA Orientation Program is conducted each year at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. FAA -spon- sored flight clinics conducted throughout. the country are well attended by CAP pilots. FAA and CAP cooperate in sponsoring many aerospace education projects, including the National Congress on Aerospace Education. FAA also provided outstanding support for the first Aerospace Edu- cation Leadership Development Course. I)r. Mervin K. Strickler, Jr., Chief of Aviation Education Programs Division, FAA, provided his expertise and untiring support as the Visiting Scholar for the CAP Aerospace Leadership Development Course. AIR CADET LEAGUE OF CANADA As a strong supporter of and an active participant in the International Air Cadet Exchange program for the past 30 year, Civil Air Patrol has established good working rela- tions with similar organizations in many countries. A parti- cularly close relationship has developed between CAP and the Air Cadet League of Canada since the first exchange between the two organizations in 1948. A mutual interest in aviation and youth development is the basis of this association. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) The FCC has been extremely helpful in providing gui- dance on their rules and regulations and in assisting CAP in its efforts to improve its communications program. Sam Tropea of the FCC Licensing Division and R.C. McIntyre of the FCC Rules Division are members of the CAP Com- munications Committee and assist by providing technical and administrative guidance. NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AEROSPACE EDUCATION (NCAE) The NCAE is a standing committee of the National Aero- nautic Association and provides a forum for organizations involved in aerospace education. Membership in NCAE is limited to organizations, no individual memberships are allowed. CAP, and more than 20 other organizations, cooperate in a nationwide effort to promote and improve aerospace education at all levels. SALVATION ARMY The Salvation Army is chartered by Congress and charged in the Federal Disaster Relief Act of 1970 with responsibility to assist persons in need as a result of disas- ter emergencies. This is a common cause with CAP and to insure that the maximum potential of both organizations to assist persons in need will be realized, a Statement of Cooperation between CAP and the Salvation Army was signed in 1973. There has since been a continuing develop- ment and strenghtening of the mutually beneficial relation- ship. U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVE The experience and skills of Air Force Reserve person - nel continue to be a valuable asset in support of Civil Air Patrol programs. Reservists serve as the staff of the CAP Cadet Officers School and National Staff College conducted each summer at Maxwell Air Force Base. They also concurrently support cadet encampments, aerospace education workshops, solo flight encampments, and a wide variety of other special activities. Reservists serve short tours of active duly to assist with national level CAP pro- grams, but the bulk of their work is at the grass roots level assisting with the cadet program and with seniors in.search and rescue exercises and effectiveness tests. Their only pay for this duty is point credit for retirement. DEFENSE CIVIL PREPAREDNESS AGENCY (DCPA) The DCPA, through its eight regional offices, coordinates with state and local governments in developing and ad- ministering civil preparedness programs. Under a 1974 Memorandum of Understanding between CAP and DCPA, Civil Air Patrol coordinates with state and local govern- ments in developing agreements that will make CAP sup- port available to these agencies during emergencies. The agreements within the 52 CAP wings are updated annually. VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW) As its 78th National Convention held in Minneapolis during August, the VFW adopted a resolution recognizing the cooperative relationship with CAP and urging all posts, county councils, districts, and departments to maintain and strengthen their ties with CAP. The longstanding relationship between CAP and VFW has resulted in VFW Post sponsorship and assistance to CAP cadet squadrons in communities throughout the nation. Civil Air Patrol is grateful for this generous support. AMERICAN RED CROSS The American Red Cross is assigned responsibility by the Federal Disaster Relief Act of 1970 to assist persons in need as a result of disaster emergencies. One of CAP's emergency services missions is assisting the Air Force in fulfilling its responsibilities for natural disaster relief operations. Because of this common cause, the two organizations have developed a close working relationship that has, in recent years, been formalized by a mutual support agreement which extends the relationship to include local Red Cross Chapters and CAP squadrons. AMERICAN LEGION The American Legion and Civil Air Patrol have a com- mon commitment to aerospace education and youth devel- opment, and since 1950, have cooperated in these areas of interest. The Legion participated with CAP and the Na- tional Aerospace Education Association in an educational effort planned and implemented jointly by the three organi- zations. The Legion also urges its post commanders to con- tact counterparts in local CAP squadrons and discuss means by which the Post can put its interest in CAP into productive channels. Colorado Christmas. Barbara Combas, Coordinator for the Colorado Migrant Council, accepted delivery of over five tons of clothing, food, and toys collected by Colorado CAP members for migrant farm workers stranded for the winter in Colorado. Every child received warm clothing and a toy.