Search And Rescue
Civil Air Patrol functions as an emergency service in a variety of ways for a variety of agencies. At the direction of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Civil Air Patrol conducts approximately 85% of federal inland search and rescue missions across the country. These missions utilize CAP pilots as well as both senior members and cadets with the appropriate qualifications or trainee status. Cadets can participate in these missions on the ground as a Ground Team Member or at the local mission headquarters as a Mission Staff Assistant or Mission Radio Operator. Emergency services training or activities also occur monthly at the squadron meetings. Click here to learn more about these opportunities as a cadet. |
Disaster Relief
Civil Air Patrol provides support and assistance to local, state, and federal agencies following natural disasters. In addition to the valuable aircraft assets and volunteer pilots CAP provides, senior members and cadets provide manpower on the ground for disaster relief missions. Civil Air Patrol frequently assists groups like the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency, and cadets can participate in these operations when the opportunity arises. Civil Air Patrol has provided support for high-profile natural disasters such as the Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. During Hurricane Sandy, the Civil Air Patrol made 696 flights across 300 miles of coastline to take 158,000 photos for FEMA and local agencies to use in disaster relief operations. Cadets across the region participated in disaster relief operations during Hurricane Sandy as well. Civil Air Patrol also responds in the wake of floods and tornadoes to provide similar relief.
Homeland Security & Counterdrug Operations
While cadets do not participate in these type of operations, homeland security and counterdrug missions are rising to become a prominent mission for the Civil Air Patrol. In support of agencies such as the United States Customs and Border Protection and the United States Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrols flies surveillance missions to stop the flow of drugs entering the United States along its borders, as well as stop the production of illegal drugs within the U.S.
Relating back to its original mission, Civil Air Patrol also conducts homeland security missions for high-profile events using low-flying Cessna aircraft. During the September 11th attacks, Civil Air Patrol was the first to fly low level, fixed-wing aerial missions over ground zero. Aircrews provided close-up imagery of the site for the New York Emergency Management Office.
Air Force Support
The Civil Air Patrol, as part of the Air Force Total Force, performs missions to support the missions of the United States Air Force such as providing mock targets for ground radar or USAF fighter interceptor aircraft. In the summer of 2016, New York Wing pilots escorted Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper Drones in and out of restricted military airspace. Civil Air Patrol, with an entirely volunteer force and the largest fleet of Cessna aircraft in the country, is a valuable asset to provide cost-effective support to Air Force missions. Usually, cadets do not participate in these type of missions either.
Civil Air Patrol provides support and assistance to local, state, and federal agencies following natural disasters. In addition to the valuable aircraft assets and volunteer pilots CAP provides, senior members and cadets provide manpower on the ground for disaster relief missions. Civil Air Patrol frequently assists groups like the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency, and cadets can participate in these operations when the opportunity arises. Civil Air Patrol has provided support for high-profile natural disasters such as the Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. During Hurricane Sandy, the Civil Air Patrol made 696 flights across 300 miles of coastline to take 158,000 photos for FEMA and local agencies to use in disaster relief operations. Cadets across the region participated in disaster relief operations during Hurricane Sandy as well. Civil Air Patrol also responds in the wake of floods and tornadoes to provide similar relief.
Homeland Security & Counterdrug Operations
While cadets do not participate in these type of operations, homeland security and counterdrug missions are rising to become a prominent mission for the Civil Air Patrol. In support of agencies such as the United States Customs and Border Protection and the United States Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrols flies surveillance missions to stop the flow of drugs entering the United States along its borders, as well as stop the production of illegal drugs within the U.S.
Relating back to its original mission, Civil Air Patrol also conducts homeland security missions for high-profile events using low-flying Cessna aircraft. During the September 11th attacks, Civil Air Patrol was the first to fly low level, fixed-wing aerial missions over ground zero. Aircrews provided close-up imagery of the site for the New York Emergency Management Office.
Air Force Support
The Civil Air Patrol, as part of the Air Force Total Force, performs missions to support the missions of the United States Air Force such as providing mock targets for ground radar or USAF fighter interceptor aircraft. In the summer of 2016, New York Wing pilots escorted Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper Drones in and out of restricted military airspace. Civil Air Patrol, with an entirely volunteer force and the largest fleet of Cessna aircraft in the country, is a valuable asset to provide cost-effective support to Air Force missions. Usually, cadets do not participate in these type of missions either.