User:Fightin' Phillie/CAP Flight

A CAP Flight is an aircraft of the Civil Air Patrol. CAP Aircraft fly a number of different missions in support of Search and Rescue, aerospace education, Homeland Security, Disaster relief, and Counter-drug operations.

The birth of CAP Avation
In 1938, Gill Robb Wilson saw an opportunity to aid the Military of the United States in the impending World War. Wilson, realizing that many civil aviators who may be (for one reason or another) unable to join the war effort, encouraged the govenor of New Jersey to create an organization to use the civil air fleet of New Jersey as an augmentative force for the war effort that seemed impending. The plan was approved, and quickly gained the backing of Chief of the Army Air Corps General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold and the Civil Aeronautics Authority. The plan called for the use of single-engine aircraft for liaison work, as well as coastal and infrastructure patrol.

During this time, the Army Air Corps and the Civil Aeronautics Administration initiated two separate subprograms. The first was the introduction of a civilian pilot refresher course and the Civilian Pilot Training Program. The motive behind this step was to increase the pool of available airmen who could be placed into military service if such a time came. The second step was concentrated more on the civil air strength of the nation in general. This step called for the organization of civilian aviators and personnel in such a way that the collective manpower and know-how would assist in the seemingly inevitable all-out war effort. The second step was arguably the Federal government's blessing towards the creation of the Civil Air Patrol. It was followed by a varied and intense debate over organizational logistics, bureaucracy and other administrative and practical details.

Thomas Beck and Guy Gannett compiled an outline and plan to present to President Franklin D. Roosevelt that would lead up to the organization of the nation's civilian air power. On 20 May 1941, the Office of Civilian Defense was created, with former New York City mayor and World War I pilot Fiorello H. La Guardia as the director. Wilson, Beck, and Gannett presented their plan for a national civil air patrol to La Guardia, and he approved the idea. He then appointed Wilson, Beck, and Gannett to form the so-called "blueprint committee" and charged them with organizing the national aviation resources on a national scale.

By October 1941 the plan was completed. The remaining tasks were chiefly administrative, such as the appointment of wing commanders. At the request of Wilson, Major General Henry "Hap" Arnold organized a board of top military officers to review Wilson's final plan. The board reviewed the plan by Wilson and his colleagues and evaluated the role of the War Department as an agency of the Office of Civilian Defense. The plan was approved and the recommendation was made that Army Air Forces officers assist with key positions such as flight training and logistics.

With the approval of the Army Air Corps, Civil Defense Director La Guardia signed the order that created the Civil Air Patrol on 1 December 1941.



World War II
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, a red three-bladed propeller in the Civil Defense white-triangle-in-blue-circle, began appearing on private aircraft everywhere. CAP initially planned only on liaison and reconnaissance flying, but the civilian group's mission expanded when German submarines began to prey on American ships off the coast of the United States.

Civil Air Patrol was tasked with Costal Patrol duties, and CAP interrupted its first submarine attack on a near Rehoboth Beach, saving a tanker off Cape May, New Jersey. Since radio calls for military bombers were often unproductive, unarmed CAP fliers dived in mock attacks to force subs to break and run.

Eventually, CAP Pilots began attaching bombs to their aircraft.

The War Department, especially the Army Air Forces, recognized the important roles performed by CAP. On April 29, 1943, by order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the command of the Civil Air Patrol was transferred from the Office of Civilian Defense to the War Department and given status as the auxiliary to the Army Air Forces.

Throughout the war, the CAP coastal patrol flew 24 million miles, found 173 submarines, attacked 57, hit 10 and sank two. 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! '

Post-War
Immediately after the end of World War II, Civil Air Patrol found itself threatened by budget cuts within the Army Air Force. General Henry "Hap" Arnold, then called a conference of CAP wing commanders to discuss the usefulness and feasibility of a postwar Civil Air Patrol.

Six months later, Public Law 79-476 incorporated the Civil Air Patrol and stated that the purpose of the organization was to be "solely of a benevolent character". Civil Air Patrol would never participate in combat operations again, but instead would pick up humanatarian and peaceful missions.

In May of 1948, Public Law 80-557 made Civil Air Patrol the official auxiliary to the newly created United States Air Force. This law also gave the Secretary of the Air Force the ability to give funding and material support to Civil Air Patrol, such as utilizing USAF Personnel for training or granting CAP use of USAF facalities.

In the following years, CAP continued it's wartime missions of search and rescue, courier service, and pilot training.

Today
Today, CAP pilots fly a variety of missions in direct support of the United States Air Force and other federal and state agencies. CAP flies reconnaissance missions for homeland security, search and rescue missions, disaster relief and coordination, and even support for counterdrug operations. CAP also transports medical personnel and supplies (including blood and live tissue) during Mercy Flight missions and assess damage in times of disaster.

Operations
CAP Flights provide a number of different services.

Orientation Flights
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Orientation Flight Program is designed to introduce youth to general aviation via hands-on flights in single engine aircraft and gliders. The aim of the program is to stimulate an interest in general aviation at no cost to the cadets. Cadets receive a series of up to 10 flights (5 powered, 5 in a glider).

Civil Air Patrol also provides orientation flights to Air Force ROTC cadets. These flights, while not a part of any official curriculum, are meant to familiarize AFROTC cadets to the aspects of aviation.

Search and Rescue
Support Search and Rescue - GET LOST!

Mercy Flights
Transporting critical cargo, such as blood and other medical supplies.

Counter Drug
In 1986, CAP began flying counter drug operations in support of government agencies. Approximately 5,000 CAP members have been prescreened and trained to provide assistance to Federal agencies.

While CAP cooperates with associated state and local agencies, CAP's counter drug operations are executed under the sanction of the federal law enforcement agencies.

CAP flies missions to assist in locating illicit drug trafficking and growing activities. As a "solely benevolent" organization, CAP does not act on any drug trafficking, but instead forwards information to the appropriate federeal agencies. CAP may provide reconnisance for counterdrug operations, but may not provide surveillance or participate in arrest, search and seizure, or interdiction activities.

CAP Cadets may not participate on Counter Drug Missions.
 * For further information, see Posse Comitatus Act.

Homeland Security
On the morning of September 11, all non-military air traffic was ordered to land immediately. CAP was the first to fly again, and took these pictures.

CAP has since been tasked with an increasing number of Homeland Security Missions, such as: convoy escort, border patrol, airspace security drills, and infrastructure surveillance.

Perhaps the most famous Homeland Security Missions were flown during the 2002 Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City.

Fleet
Civil Air Patrol owns approximately 535 light aircraft. Additionally, CAP members own another 4,700 aircraft that can be used to support assigned missions. When all of these assets are combined, CAP operates the world's largest fleet of civil aircraft and flies nearly 130,000 hours each year.

Retired
Retired aircraft flown by Civil Air Patrolincluded:

Locations
CAP Aircraft are based at airports around the Country.

Relations with the US Air Force
On 1 July 1946, Public Law 79-476 was enacted, incorporating the Civil Air Patrol for the purpose of being be "solely of a benevolent character". In other words, the Civil Air Patrol was to never participate in combat operations again. With the creation of the United States Air Force on 26 July 1947, the command of the Civil Air Patrol was transferred from the United States Army to the newly created United States Air Force. In October 1947, a CAP board convened to meet with USAF officials and plan the groundwork of the Civil Air Patrol as the USAF auxiliary. After several meetings the USAF was satisfied and a bill was introduced to the United States House of Representatives. On 26 May 1948, Public Law 80-557 was enacted and CAP became the official auxiliary to the United States Air Force.

As the official auxiliary of the Air Force, the Secretary of the Air Force has the authority to provide financial and material assitance to Civil Air Patrol.

Homeland Security
Civil Air Patrol has also been called upon for training exercises to prepare USAF pilots to intercept enemy aircraft over the Continental United States. Civil Air Patrol aircraft are flown into restricted airspace, where Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle pilots may practice high-speed intercepts.

Crew Posistions
The progression is Scanner -> Observer -> Pilot.

Pilot
Flies the plane.

Observer
Operates radios and searches the ground.

Scanner
Searches the ground.

Passenger
Just along for the ride.

Useful Sources

 * General Info
 * http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/html/pilots.htm
 * http://www.cap.gov/visitors/quick_info/for_pilots.cfm
 * https://ntc.cap.af.mil/ops/dot/
 * http://www.caphistory.org/the_airplanes.html
 * http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=163


 * Reference Material
 * http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123120896 - CAP provides rescue resources during emergencies
 * http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123108491 - CAP cadets learn Air Force, Vandenberg mission
 * http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123035147 - Edwards hosts 2006 National CAP Cadet Week
 * http://www.luke.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123100576 - CAP members fill gap at Luke - VSAF
 * http://www.mcguire.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123108305 - CAP cadets complete first hurdle - basic encampment