Civil Air Patrol/USAF Auxiliary

CAP Foundation

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, non-profit corporation under 36 U.S.C. § 40301.

CAP as USAF Auxiliary

CAP is also designated the volunteer civilian auxiliary of the USAF when CAP services are utilized by any department or agency of the Federal government.

SecAF Authority

The Secretary of the Air Force can employ the services of CAP in lieu of, or to supplement, USAF resources to fulfill the non-combat programs and missions of the USAF.

Total Force Partner

As a Total Force partner, when approved and assigned by the USAF, CAP conducts missions as Airmen of the USAF Auxiliary, aligned under Air Combat Command for fiscal and operational oversight and utilization.

CAP Resources

CAP has:

Over 55,000 senior member and cadet volunteers
A fleet of over 550 aircraft
Over 1000 vehicles
Multiple nationwide communications capabilities
A state-of-the-art cell phone forensics cell

Three Primary CAP Programs

3 CAP Programs.

Emergency services and civil support
Aerospace education
Cadet programs

Emergency Services and Civil Support

Emergency Services + Civil Support

The emergency services and civil support programs maintain the ability to meet USAF requirements to assist:

Federal organizations
State organizations
Local organizations
Non-governmental organizations

…during routine and emergency situations in support of:

Homeland security operations
Consequence management
Search and rescue

Aerospace Education

Aerospace education provides aviation-focused materials for:

Senior members
Cadet members
The general public

Cadet Program

The cadet program is designed to motivate American youth to become responsible citizens through aviation-centered activities.

CAP Organization

CAP is organized into:

Eight geographic regions led by regional commanders
52 state-level wings, including District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico / U.S. Virgin Islands

CAP Lower Echelons

Approximately 1,400 total individual units comprise the lower-level echelons within the state-level wings.

Four Civilian Auxiliaries

4 Civilian Auxiliaries

The four civilian auxiliaries of the U.S. Armed Forces:

Civil Air Patrol
Coast Guard Auxiliary
Merchant Marine
Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS)

Civil Air Patrol/USAF Auxiliary