Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer auxillary to the United States Air Force.
Civil Air Patrol was established December 1, 1941, six days before Japan attacked Perl Harbor. CAP's purpose during World War II was to help in the domestic defense of the United States. It was founded to utilitize privately owned aircraft to supplement U.S. forces. The High Profile missions of CAP included flying Coastal Patrols, looking for enemy ships and subs, that were wreaking havoc with U.S. Merchant Marine shipping. CAP flew military courier missions, towed practice targets and even shuttled military aircraft.
CAP was incorporated as a private non-profit corporation by an act of Congress on December 1, 1946.
On May 26, 1948, Congress made Civil Air Patrol the official auxiliary to the newly formed Air Force.
CAP has evolved into a non-combative Auxillary to the United States Air Force. It performs Search and Rescue Operations under the direction of the United States Air Force for downed and missing aircraft. It provides support to many other agencies, Federal, State and Local. CAP utilizes both CAP corporate and private assets and resources to assist in disaster relief, assesment and management.
CAP's other missions include Aerospace Education and Cadet programs.
CAP is a national non-profit, all volunteer organization. Nationally, CAP has 58,000 members. It is divided into 8 Regions and 52 Wings. There are even Wings overseas.
The Massachusetts Wing of CAP has 28 Squadrons, divided into 4 Groups and over 1,000 active members.
CAP has both Cadet and Senior Members. Both participate in CAP's various missions.
