Civil Air Patrol is congressionally chartered and operates as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. CAP performs services for the federal government as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and state/local communities as a non-profit organization. CAP is made up of 8 geographical regions consisting of 52 wings. It is a strategic partner of the Air Force, serving as a member of its Total Force. CAP has three primary missions-Emergency Services, Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education.
More than one million cadets have benefited from Cadet Programs' leadership, character development, fitness and Aerospace/STEM education corriculum.