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  History

Pearl Harbor propelled the United States into World War II, but many Americans saw the AXIS threat long before Dec. 7, 1941. Among them were nearly 150,000 men and women involved in aviation.

As early as 1938, they began to argue for the creation of an organization to harness their aviation resources to aid the nation in the event America entered the conflict. Their efforts, led by writer-aviator Gill Robb Wilson and supported by Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, resulted in the creation of the Civil Air Patrol on Dec. 1, 1941 - one week before Pearl Harbor.

First organized under the Office of Civilian Defense, headed by former New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, Civil Air Patrol members became the "Minutemen" of World War II, volunteering their time, resources, and talents to defend the nation's borders and fill the gaps as men and resources were being mobilized to fight abroad.

The War Department, especially the Army Air Forces, recognized the important roles performed by CAP. In April 1943, CAP was reassigned from the Office of Civilian Defense to the War Department and placed under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces.

"After the German surrender, one of Hitler's high-ranking naval officers was asked why the Nazi U-boats had been withdrawn from U.S. coastal waters early in 1943. The answer was exploded in a curt guttural: 'It was because of those damned little red and yellow planes!'"

These Flying Minutemen, all volunteers, performed valiantly during the war. They performed many missions including coastal patrol to search for enemy submarines, search and rescue missions throughout the United States, cargo and courier flights to transfer critical materials and personnel, and even towing targets so Army Air Corps personnel could practice air-to-air gunnery techniques - a very risky mission with new gunners.

In all, these volunteers amassed a stunning record - flying more than half-a-million hours, sinking two enemy submarines, and saving hundreds of crash victims.

A thankful nation recognized the vital role CAP played during the war and understood the organization could continue to provide invaluable help to both local and national agencies.

On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 476 that incorporated CAP as a benevolent, nonprofit organization.

And on May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 which permanently established CAP as the Auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. This law also gave the Secretary of the Air Force the authority to provide financial and material assistance to the organization.

Organization

The Civil Air Patrol is a civilian organization but, as the civilian Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, it comes as no surprise that it is organized along military lines.

CAP is organized into eight geographic regions. These regions are subdivided by the states falling within their boundaries and each state has a CAP wing. Additionally, the District of Columbia and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have CAP wings.

These 52 wings are then subdivided into groups, squadrons, and flights depending on their size. There are more than 1,700 CAP units, half of which are composite squadrons or squadrons that have both senior and cadet members.

The highest governing body of CAP is the National Board, chaired by a member of the CAP Corporation whose title is National Commander. This position is held by a CAP Brigadier General elected by the members. Other members of the Board include the eight region and 52 wing commanders.

This governing body also includes an elected National Vice Commander, Chief of Staff, Legal Officer, Finance Officer, and Controller - all civilian volunteers who have no active duty Air Force obligations or privileges.

There is one key position on the National Board that ties the CAP Corporation to the U.S. Air Force - the Senior Air Force Advisor.

The advisor's position is held by an active-duty Air Force Colonel who, in addition to serving as the Senior Air Force Adviser, is responsible for all active duty and DoD civilian employees who provide liaison oversight and advice to the CAP organization.

In this capacity, the Senior Air Force advisor is also the CAP-USAF Commander.

Sound confusing? It's really not. When Congress enacted Public Law 557 in 1948, they determined that active-duty Air Force personnel should be assigned to provide advice and assistance to the organization. Hence, Headquarters CAP-USAF was established.

"As the active force draws down, the Air Force will engage in increased burden-sharing with its Guard, Reserve and Auxiliary (CAP) components. It is critical that U.S. Air Force installation and unit commanders provide priority support to CAP--which in turn enhances CAP mission readiness and a payback in increased mission support to the Air Force by its civilian Auxiliary."

In addition to the Air Force staff at CAP's National Headquarters, CAP Liaison regions have a small staff headed by a commander and a staff of six other officers, NCOs and DoD civilians who perform aerospace education and training, logistics, and administration and operations functions.

Each of the 52 wings also has a liaison noncommissioned officer and some also have a liaison officer - both who are retired U.S. Air Force members.