Best known for its members’ work in air search and rescue and disaster relief missions, CAP is expanding its role in the 21st century to include an increasing number of homeland security operations and exercises.

CAP performs aerial photo and imagery missions including damage assessment flights for state and local agencies, aerial reconnaissance and patrol missions, and counter drug reconnaissance missions at the request of law enforcement agencies. Though Civil Air Patrol is known for its flying missions, less than a fifth of all CAP members are pilots or aircrew. In emergency services operations, we not only need aircrew members but also ground team members to aid in the rescue of survivors or to assess damage after a disaster. CAP needs communications personnel to relay critical information when there is limited or no telephone support. CAP needs administrative staff, financial managers, logistics and supply personnel to document missions and get critical supplies and equipment in the field that is needed to conduct missions. CAP members undergo rigorous training to perform these missions safely and cost-effectively. In Emergency Services, CAP members can train to be members of ground teams, aircrew personnel or for a number of mission base specialist positions.

Pilot and Aircrew Links: