GallupCAP.com (2.0)

Supporting our Community, State and Nation in Times of Need, That Others Shall Live!

While CAP has long been associated with search and rescue missions, its work also includes disaster relief and communications, as well as counter drug and homeland security missions. Search and rescue remains an important service provided by CAP members. As evidence, CAP still flies 95 percent of all federal inland SAR missions, as directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC).

On average, each year across the nation, CAP members fly more than 100,000 hours in operational missions and save about 100 lives. CAP provides air and ground support for disaster relief, flying officials to remote locations, transporting blood or live tissue to critical care sites and performing aerial damage assessment.

While some of our missions will never change, the events of September 11, 2001 changed the way CAP operates forever. Along with all of the missions listed above, Civil Air Patrol is now tasked to provide support to Northern Command, the Air Force, FEMA, the Red Cross, or any other federal, state and local government agencies that requires our special skills.

It should be mentioned that the CAP has no active combat role in any mission we perform.

Most of the things that CAP does in any ES mission can be performed by Cadets under close adult supervision.  This includes being radio operators including talking to aircraft while in flight. Flightline Marshalers (directing aircraft traffic on the flightline), acting as runners and many other duties.  We believe that involving young people in real operations or training missions, helps them to devlop into more responsible adults and devlops their leadership skills through actually performing a real mission. 

Perhaps one of the most prized possession of any member (especially Cadets) is the coveted CAP Ground Team Member Badge.  The requirements for this badge are the same for adults and Cadets.

Members earn this badge by learning, performing and accomplishing various tasks at a nationally recognized CAP Ground Team School.  Once qualified, the member can become a member and of an actual ground team and participate in various ground ES missions including Search and Rescue. This badge is only awarded to CAP members and it is worn with great pride by any member who earns it. 

One of the things that draws members to CAP is the chance to become a qualified Aircrew Member.  Basically, an Aircrew Member is anyone that flies in the aircraft that is not actually in control of the aircraft.  Pilots have their own insignia.  Members can earn this badge by learning, performing and accomplishing various tasks on the ground and in flight. 

Cadets can start aircrew training when they reach their 17th birthday, but cannot become "Aircrew Qualified" until they turn 18.  Again, the requirements for this badge are the same for adults and cadets.

An added benefit to becoming "Aircrew Qualified" is the privilege of wearing either the Sage Green USAF or a CAP Dark Blue Flightsuit. Only Pilots and Aircrew are allowed to wear the flightsuit.

From it's beginning in December 1941, the CAP has been a flying organization.  As a result, pilots have always been in high demand.  The CAP today is no different.  CAP needs aircraft pilots today, more than ever to accomplish the many missions that CAP are tasked with.  Starting with an FAA Private Pilots License, pilots can take advantage of the many opportunities to fly while a CAP member. 

The CAP owns one of the largest fleets of light aircraft in the world with over 500 aircraft of various types.  Much of the flying done in the CAP is FREE if done during approved missions. When flying is not free, it is usual at very low rates.  The usual FAA rules for logging flying time are observed.  Once a Pilot has met all the requirements for becoming a CAP pilot, he/she can then proudly wear the historic CAP Pilot Wings that have been worn by CAP Pilots since World War II.  

For a good idea what it takes to be a qualified CAP Pilot, check out this link.  It will direct you to another unit's web page, but they have it all summed up in an easy to understand format.

If you are a pilot with a current License and Medical Certificate, and meet the criteria, PLEASE contact us and see how you can take advantage of the flying opportunities that CAP has to offer!  use your skill and love of flying in the service of your nation and pass your love of aviation along to the next generation!

FLY CAP!