Anniversary Falls On Memorial Day
The Civil Air Patrol will proudly
mark 60 years as the US Air Force auxiliary on May 26. Public Law
557, signed on May 26, 1948, designated CAP the official auxiliary
of the then-eight-month-old US Air Force.
CAP began as an association of volunteer, defense-minded
aviators just a week before the start of World War II in December
1941. CAP pilots with the Coastal Patrol distinguished themselves
by flying more than 24 million miles during 86,000 over-water
missions — a total of 244,600 flight hours —to help win
the battle against German U-boats that were preying on coastal
shipping.
CAP volunteers also spotted 173 subs, attacked 57, hit 10 and
sank two; called in aid for 91 ships in distress; saved 363
survivors of sub attacks; discovered 17 floating mines; and flew
5,684 special convoy missions. Fifty-nine members of these
courageous aircrews died in service to their country, 26 were lost
at sea and seven others were seriously injured.
"On the 60th anniversary of Civil Air Patrol’s auxiliary
status, our 56,000 members continue to enthusiastically uphold
their legacy of excellence, integrity and service before self,"
said CAP Interim National Commander Brig. Gen. Amy S. Courter. "We
are proud of our long history of volunteer service to our
communities, whatever the need and whenever the call, and proud of
our partnership with the US Air Force."
Today, CAP performs its Missions for America in the tradition of
its wartime forefathers. Whether performing search and rescue or
disaster relief missions helping communities recover from floods,
wildfires, tornadoes or hurricanes; promoting aerospace education;
or mentoring the leadership skills of youth, CAP members aid the
nation in the air and on the ground.
Highlights of CAP’s modern-day contributions to society
include performing 90 percent of inland search and rescue missions
as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, saving 103
lives in fiscal year 2007; assisting the Air Force in ensuring the
skies above our nation are safe by flying target-intercept training
missions for U.S. military pilots; serving as a force multiplier
for the Air Force and other federal, state and local agencies, with
550 aircraft and thousands of trained aircrew members; and
supporting deployed Air Force members and their families through
the Volunteer Support of the Air Force program, in which CAP
members perform on-base quality-of-life tasks.
Additionally, CAP provides leadership opportunities to 22,000
youth in the organization's Cadet Program.