We are the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force and are a multifunctional volunteer organization that serves America with a spirit of dedication and commitment. Each year Civil Air Patrol provides more than 85% of inland search and rescue support as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley AFB, VA.

In addition, CAP volunteers repeatedly respond to calls from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross when disaster strikes in the form floods, hurricanes, forest fires or other disasters, natural and man made.

Equally important is the work we do with the youth of America. Civil Air Patrol Cadet Programs provides young men and women, ages 12-20, with a safe and motivating environment in which to grow and explore opportunities in the military and aviation industries. CAP presents an alternative life style to drugs and teenage violence, thus giving thousands of young people the opportunity to embrace the leadership roles of the 21st century with confidence and determination. 

As you progress through CAP’s multi-level cadet training, you’ll learn the principles of aviation and aerospace flight. You’ll learn about rocketry and physics through hands-on experiments. You can even get a taste of military life, and learn about military history, customs, drills and inspection. You could end up in one of the top squads in the nation if you advance to the most elite competition for CAP cadets, National Cadet Competition.

CAP offers national cadet encampments with activities in emergency services, engineering, technology, physical fitness, teambuilding and flight training. You can even visit foreign countries through the International Air Cadet Exchange.

Thanks to good preparation and valuable scholarships, many CAP cadets go on to careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.Some pursue technical degrees and others go on to one of the nation’s prestigious military academies. Each year, at least 10 percent of the freshman class at the U.S. Air Force Academy is made up of former CAP cadets.

Let your imagination take flight...

      Through Operations                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                               Cadet Programs