Civil Air Patrol celebrating 65 years of service Published July 12, 2007 By Capt. David Woodley 14th Operations Support Squadron COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- You may have heard on the news during Sept. 11, 2001, the Shuttle Columbia disaster, hurricane Katrina and other search and rescue related stories that Civil Air Patrol was involved with recovery operations. But what is this organization, what is its purpose and who are the members? It has been said that CAP is the world's best kept secret. Very few people, even in the Air Force, know what CAP is or know the organization's purpose. CAP today has over 56,000 members including 27,000 cadets between the ages of 12 and 21 and has the world's largest fleet of single engine aircraft, numbering 535. Plus CAP, this year, is celebrating 65 years of service to the United States. CAP was established on Dec. 1, 1941 just seven days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. CAP's primary mission during World War II was liaison and reconnaissance flying but expanded to costal patrol, hunting German U-Boats. CAP is credited with sinking two U-Boats and 64 CAP aviators lost their lives during the war. CAP became the official civilian auxiliary for the Air Force in 1948, a year after the AF became an independent service. In 1946 Congress granted a charter to CAP with three missions: Aerospace Education, Emergency Services and Cadet Programs. CAP promotes Aerospace education through instructing its members both on aviation history, principles and operations. Furthermore CAP works with local schools offering free materials and lesson plans for all grades. CAP is best known for Emergency Services. Senior members fly missions that support search and rescue, disaster relief, counter drug reconnaissance and since Sept. 11 homeland security. The last mission of CAP is Cadet Programs. CAP offers our youth training in moral leadership, aviation, military history and customs, emergency services and teamwork. Cadets are also eligible for college and flight scholarships and special training programs. Columbus AFB supports this great organization by hosting the Golden Triangle Composite Squadron. Our local CAP unit has both a senior member and cadet squadrons. The senior members meet every first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Golden Triangle Regional Airport conference room. The Cadet squadron meets every Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the Radar Approach Control building. Cadet membership is available to youth ages 12 to 18 and a cadet that joins before 18 may stay in as a cadet until the age of 21. Senior membership is available to adults 18 years of age or older. As CAP celebrates its 65 years of service take the time to learn more about CAP or better yet come out and join this organization that has a long tradition of civilian service to this great nation.