Civil Air Patrol - NorCal Group 5 Headquarters

Here we've provided a brief summary of Civil Air Patrol, its missions, and some links to additional information.

Visit our Squadrons page to locate and contact the squadron nearest you. Visit the squadron, meet the people, and learn how you can get involved in this dynamic organization.

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a humanitarian and educational nonprofit organization which serves thousands of communities across America via three Congressionally charted missions: Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services. Membership totals approximately 60,000 volunteers who share the love of aviation and community service. As the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, CAP serves in a subsidiary capacity to the Air Force through its three mission.

Learn more about Civil Air Patrol from the national web site, and how you can become a member.

Aerospace Education

CAP defines aerospace education as "that branch of general education concerned with communicating knowledge, skills, and attitudes about aerospace activities and the total impact of air and space vehicles upon society." The aerospace education programs are designed to promote an understanding and appreciation for the importance of aviation and space exploration to our society and national security.

Learn more about CAP's Aerospace Education Program from the national web site.

Cadet Programs

Throughout the cadet program, emphasis is placed on individualized study, preparation, instruction, and attainment. Each phase of the cadet program emphasizes five areas of achievement: leadership laboratory, aerospace education, physical fitness, moral leadership, and squadron activities. These five areas of achievement are implemented through the use of trained senior cadets and senior members who work collectively and individually with each cadet desiring and needing assistance. The program is primarily oriented toward activities held in individual squadrons. Some of these activities include aircraft orientation flights, model airplane building, drill teams, model rocketry, and search and rescue, flight, and survival training.

Learn more about CAP's Cadet Programs from the national web site.

Emergency Services

CAP's talents have augmented the Air Force in search and rescue (SAR) and disaster relief/disaster preparedness since CAP's formation in 1941. The emergency services' primary mission objective is to save lives and relieve human suffering. To be effective, the lives of CAP personnel performing the mission must be safeguarded. CAP demands professionalism in organization, training, and mission execution to accomplish this service. Only qualified members are allowed to participate in actual missions. The emergency services mission includes search and rescue and disaster relief operations.

Search and Rescue (SAR)
Perhaps best known for its search and rescue efforts, CAP now flies more than 85 percent of all federal inland SAR missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley AFB, Virginia. Outside of the continental United States, CAP supports the Joint Rescue Coordination Centers in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Just how effective are the CAP missions? CAP members save more than 100 people every year!

Disaster Relief
Often overlooked but vitally important is the role CAP plays in disaster relief operations. CAP provides air and ground transportation, and an extensive communications network. They fly disaster relief officials to remote locations, and support local, state and national disaster relief organizations with manpower and leadership. In fact, CAP has formal agreements with many government and humanitarian relief agencies such as the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and the United States Coast Guard.

Humanitarian Services
Closely related to disaster relief is CAP's support of humanitarian missions. Usually in support of the Red Cross, CAP air crews transport time-sensitive medical materials including blood and human tissue in situations where other means of transportation are not possible.

Learn more about CAP's Emergency Services Program from the national web site.

Counterdrug Missions

CAP joined the "war on drugs" in 1986 when CAP signed an agreement with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Customs Service offering CAP resources to be used to stem the flow of drugs into and within the United States. Today, CAP has similar agreements with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Forest Service. CAP has made major contributions to the counterdrug fight by providing aerial reconnaissance, airborne communication support, and airlift of law enforcement personnel. In 1997 alone, CAP units flew nearly 40,000 hours in support of counterdrug efforts.

Drug Demand Reduction Program

The Drug Demand Reduction Program is chartered with the responsibility to make the CAP an environment that promotes and supports education, community involvement, social responsibility and respect for individuals. The DDR Program began in 1994 to support the "Air Force Family" within 30 miles of an Air Force installation. The program has since evolved into five areas:

Drug Demand Reduction Initiatives Program (DDRIP)
Education and Training
Collaborative Efforts
Middle School Initiative
Community Outreach Activities

Learn more about CAP's Drug Demand Reduction Program from the national web site.

Air Force Support	It's hardly surprising that CAP performs several missions in direct support of the U.S. Air Force. Specifically, CAP conducts damage assessment, radiological monitoring, light transport, communications support, and low-altitude route surveys. Joint U.S. Air Force and CAP SAR exercises sharpen the skills of all participants and offer realistic training for a deadly serious mission.
CAP/ROTC Initiative	Starting in 1993, CAP became more closely involved in direct support of the Air Force ROTC. Joint efforts are underway to conduct cross flow educational and orientation flights with Air Force ROTC, benefiting both organizations through better use of each one's training resources.