Civil Air Patrol Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary

“The Civil Air Patrol grew out of the urgency of the situation. The CAP was set up and went into operation almost overnight. It patrolled our shores and performed its antisubmarine work at a time of almost desperate national crisis. If it had done nothing beyond that, the Civil Air Patrol would have earned an honorable place in the history of American air power.” General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Forces, Dec. 15, 1941

Civil Air Patrol, having been founded 75 years ago on Dec. 1, 1941, was called into action! With the Navy engaged in the Pacific, CAP established coastal patrol bases in 13 states from Maine to Texas. With privately owned airplanes armed with depth bombs, airmen attacked 57 enemy submarines, dropped 82 bombs, and flew a total of 244,600 flight hours protecting America's coastline.

Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) mission is to support America’s communities with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development, and promotion of air, space and cyber power.

The Civil Air Patrol is congressionally chartered and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It performs services for the federal government as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and for states/local communities as a nonprofit organization. CAP, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is now the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. CAP offers opportunities for members to serve communities, participate in leadership development training and acquire new skills that benefit personal and professional growth. To learn more about Civil Air Patrol and how to join, check out http://gocivilairpatrol.com.

You do not have to become an active CAP member to support the Civil Air Patrol. Consider Friends of CAP program. Many citizens want to support the great work of Civil Air Patrol, but simply don’t have the time to make the commitment as a member. Becoming a Friend of CAP supports our commitment and service to our communities through aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services.

Annual dues for Friends of CAP are only $35, which is tax-deductible, and they can sign up quickly online. Friends of CAP support the organization without any of the commitments involved with membership. This program does not replace CAP’s Patron members and is an easy way for people to support the organization. CAP Friends receive two printed issues of CAP’s magazine, Civil Air Patrol Volunteer, annually along with emails from national staff about all the great things CAP is doing. Additionally, CAP Friends can take advantage of selected benefits and discounts.

Proceeds earned from Friends of CAP will be used to help support cadet and aerospace education and STEM programs. For more information, please check out frequently asked questions or email giving@capnhq.gov.

Group II is one of three subordinate groups of the Maryland Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Group II is comprised of eight (8) Maryland squadrons located in Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Talbot and Wicomico counties. Follow Group II on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdgroup2 or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mdgroup2_cap and visit the Group II website at www.mdgroup2cap.org,

Nearly 1,600 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with four finds. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,245 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at 4.6 million dollars. For more information, contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWGCAP.

Article by, Capt. Alice Raatjes, Public Affairs Officer, Group II, Maryland Wing, CAP. Photo credit, MER.