Civil Air Patrol

The U.S. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). It was created on 1 December, 1941 by Administrative Order 9, with Maj. Gen. John F. Curry as the first CAP national commander. Civil Air Patrol is credited with sinking at least two German U-boats during World War II. Today, CAP is no longer called on to destroy submarines, but is instead a benevolent entity dedicated to education and national service. It is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services (including search and rescue), aerospace education for youth and the general public, and cadet programs. In addition, it has recently been tasked with Homeland Security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross.
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