Civil Air Patrol | |
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Active | 1941–present |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Role | Civilian auxiliary |
Size | 36,673[1] Senior Members (as of 26 November 2024) 32,408[2] Cadets (as of 26 November 2024) 544 light aircraft[3] 4,300 volunteer-owned aircraft 1,000+ CAP-owned vehicles |
Headquarters | Maxwell Air Force Base |
Motto(s) | "Semper Vigilans" Always Vigilant |
March | "The C.A.P. Is On The Go"[4] |
Engagements | World War II |
Flying hours | 101,584 Hours[5] |
Commanders | |
National Commander | Maj Gen Regena M. Aye, CAP |
Aircraft flown | |
Powered: Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Cessna 206, MT-7-235, de Havilland L-20, Gippsland GA8 Unpowered: LET L-23, Schweizer SGS 2-33 |
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a non-profit organization that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with members from many backgrounds. It performs three missions: emergency services, which includes search and rescue (by air and ground) and disaster relief operations; aeronautics education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth.
Membership in the organization consists of cadets ranging from 12 to just under 21 years of age. Senior members are 18 years of age and up. All members wear uniforms while performing their duties.
The standard uniform[6] of the Civil Air Patrol is the Airman Battle Uniform(ABU). The uniform is a mix of green and tan colors. The ABU was also worn by the United States Air Force. The Civil Air Patrol has another uniform called Dress Blues Uniform(DBU). This uniform is white and blue, and is used for special events.