Carroll Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 100 lives annually.

Though Civil Air Patrol is known for its flying missions, CAP adult members, known as Senior Members, do so much more than just fly. In fact, less than a fifth of all CAP members are pilots or aircrew members. CAP adult members come from all walks of life. Your participation will help support and carry out the Civil Air Patrol's three missions: emergency services, the cadet program and aerospace education. Its volunteers also perform missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. The members serve as mentors to more than 26,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs.

While there are many youth programs in America, the CAP's cadet program is unique in that it uses aviation as a cornerstone. Thousands of young people from 12 years through age 21 are introduced to aviation through CAP's cadet program. The Civil Air Patrol is a great way for youth to learn, to lead, to experience the thrill of flying, and have opportunities to attend leadership encampments, career academies, and other activities during the summer.