Emergency Services

Including USAF-directed ground and air search and rescue, as well as missions for Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Office of Emergency Management (OEM).  CAP performs disaster relief (Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf oil spill, Hurricane Sandy), aerial security support (2002 Winter Olympics, Superbowl 49), counter drug operations at the request of government or law enforcement agencies, and missions for the American Red Cross transporting medical personnel and supplies, blood and live tissue.  On Sept. 12, 2001 a CAP Cessna was one of the few aircraft aloft (after 911) in all of America.  The CAP flight provided the first direct aerial photographs of the disaster site at the World Trade Center.  New York State’s OEM superimposed street grids over CAP’s better-quality photographs so emergency workers on the ground, working in a desolated and convoluted landscape, could understand where they were standing. The photos also were sent to the White House and Pentagon for further analysis. This was only one of the missions for CAP in the ensuing days.

Cadet Programs

The mission of this program is to develop young men and women (ages 12-18/21) into the leaders of tomorrow by providing training in leadership, aerospace, emergency services, communications, fitness, public speaking, planning, writing, ethics, drill and color guard, and character development.  The cadet program is largely run by the cadets and offers opportunities to compete for college and aviation scholarships.  A cadet also typically logs over 60 hours a year in service to his/her community.

Aerospace Education

The mission of Aerospace Education is to educate, inspire, and instill an appreciation for, and an understanding of, aerospace as it relates to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and prepare today’s youth to meet these challenges and understand its related global issues, especially as it pertains to national security.   CAP provides this training to its members and the general public (educators for middle and high schools) through its curriculum, books, and hands-on experience (flying). CAP owns the largest fleet of single-engine aircraft in the nation.  CAP pilots fly these planes to perform CAP missions and also to teach cadets how to fly by providing them both powered and glider flights free of charge.   Additionally, the cadets receive ground crew instruction, and have the chance to achieve their solo pilot wings by attending flight academies.