Happy Anniversary, Civil Air Patrol!

December 1, 2009 — The Civil Air Patrol is celebrating its 68th anniversary today, and the organization’s national commander is asking people to say ‘thanks’ to CAP’s 58,000 citizen volunteers for their vigilant service. The anniversary commemorates the history of service provided by today's CAP throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, including disaster relief efforts, search and rescue missions, and aerospace education. “As the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force when tasked with Air Force-assigned missions, Civil Air Patrol’s role has greatly expanded to a multitude of missions for America over the past seven decades,” Maj. General Amy Courter wrote in a letter to volunteers. “CAP has evolved into a world-class public service organization of everyday heroes – pilots, technology experts, communicators, chaplains, teachers, youth mentors and others – who provide emergency services to those in need, conduct youth programs at more than 1,500 locations and help thousands of students and schools.” The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization was founded on December 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that led to America’s involvement in World War II. Its members soon proved their worth by conducting aerial patrols, vigilance that discouraged and eventually stopped deadly German U-boat attacks on shipping in American waterways. While carrying out CAP missing during the war, 59 members died, 26 were lost at sea and seven others were seriously injured. “Our citizen volunteers have a proud legacy of selfless service to their country and their communities. They truly go above and beyond each day, giving their best as needs arise,” Courter said. Youth ages 12-18 can become a CAP cadet. Click here to learn more about the cadet program or here to find a squadron near you.

Its volunteer members, such as these Maryland Wing cadets, are CAP’s most treasured resource. Photo credit: Civil Air Patrol One of CAP’s fleet of Cessna 182s. Photo credit: Civil Air Patrol

• 2010 - 07/19 - VSS Enterprise Completes First Crewed Flight
• 2010 - 07/16 - Students' Experiments to be Conducted on Space Station
• 2010 - 07/16 - Combs: 10 States Left to Go!
• 2010 - 07/09 - Solar Plane Flies Day and Night on Sun Power
• 2010 - 07/08 - Red Bull Cancels Portugal Air Race