Civil Air Patrol General Info

Civil Air Patrol
General Knowledge

Cadet Oath

I pledge that I will serve faithfully in the cadet program,
and that I will attend meetings regularly, participate in unit activities,
obey my officers, wear my uniform properly,
and advance my education and training rapidly to prepare
myself to be of service to my community, state and nation.

Cadet Honor Code

I will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate those who do.

Civil Air Patrol Motto

Semper Vigilants (Always Vigilant)

Civil Air Patrol Core Values

1) Integrity
2) Volunteer Service
3) Excellence
4) Respect

CAP History

Mar 1942 - Aug 1943

Civil Air Patrol flew coastal patrols (173 Submarines sighted and dropped 83 bombs)

29 Apr 1943

"Red Letter Day" Civil Air Patrol became the Auxiliary of the Army Air Force.

1 Jul 1946

Pres. Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 476, passed by The 79th Congress, incorporating the Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent non- profit organization.

26 Jul 1946

Aboard the Sacred Cow, Pres. Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act which established an independent Air Force for "offensive and defensive air operations."

18 Sep 1947

W. Stuart Symington is sworn in as the first Secretary of the newly independent Air Force and Gen. Carl A. Spaatz was named the first Chief of Staff.

1 Dec 1941

Civil Air Patrol was formed by Fiorello H. LaGuardia, Director of Civilian Defense and Mayor of New York, signing a formal Order and having Pres. Roosevelt sign it.

26 May 1948

Pres. Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 557, passed by the 80th Congress, made the Civil Air Patrol a permanent Auxiliary of the United States Air Force and authorized the Secretary of the Air Force to extend aid to the CAP.

Organization of Civil Air Patrol

Civil Air Patrol is a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force.
National Headquarters, CAP is located at Maxwell, AFB, AL.
CAP is broken into the following eight regions:

Northeast	North Central
Middle East	Southwest
Great Lakes	Rocky Mountain
Southeast	Pacific

Each region is divided into wings and there are 52 wings,
one for each state plus one for the District of Columbia and one for Puerto Rico.

Wings are divided into groups and groups into squadrons.

There must be at least two squadrons in a group.

Air Force Song

Verse 1

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder
At'em boys, giv'er the gun!
Down we dive spouting our flaming from under
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame
Nothing will stop the US Air Force!

Verse 2

Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder
Sent it high into the blue
Hands of men blasted the world asunder,
How they lived God only knew!
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings ever to soar.
With scout before and bomber galore,
Nothing can stop the US Air Force!

Verse 3

Here's a toast to the host of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send this message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of those we boast
The US Air Force!

Verse 4

Off we go into the wild blue yonder
Keep the wing level and true
If you'd live to be a gray haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue
Flying men, guarding our nation's borders
We'll be there followed by more
In echelon, we carry on
Nothing can stop the US Air Force.

Mar 1942 - Aug 1943	Civil Air Patrol flew coastal patrols (173 Submarines sighted and dropped 83 bombs)
29 Apr 1943	"Red Letter Day" Civil Air Patrol became the Auxiliary of the Army Air Force.
1 Jul 1946	Pres. Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 476, passed by The 79th Congress, incorporating the Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent non- profit organization.
26 Jul 1946	Aboard the Sacred Cow, Pres. Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act which established an independent Air Force for "offensive and defensive air operations."
18 Sep 1947	W. Stuart Symington is sworn in as the first Secretary of the newly independent Air Force and Gen. Carl A. Spaatz was named the first Chief of Staff.
1 Dec 1941	Civil Air Patrol was formed by Fiorello H. LaGuardia, Director of Civilian Defense and Mayor of New York, signing a formal Order and having Pres. Roosevelt sign it.
26 May 1948	Pres. Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 557, passed by the 80th Congress, made the Civil Air Patrol a permanent Auxiliary of the United States Air Force and authorized the Secretary of the Air Force to extend aid to the CAP.