In 1948, the US Congress, recognizing the need for a voluntary civilian auxiliary to assist the Air Force in providing search and rescue (SAR), disaster relief, cadet programs, and aerospace education assistance for both military and civilian operations, established the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). For over sixty years, CAP has carried out noncombat missions on behalf of the nation's air forces in this unique role. The partnership of CAP’s 60,000 citizen-volunteers and the service they provide to the nation with the USAF begins at the unit level.

Air Force activities support the CAP under Air Force Instruction 10-2701 ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION OF THE CIVIL AIR PATROL and public law. The Air Force provides personnel, materiel, and financial support for the CAP, in accordance with applicable laws and Air Force capability. At their discretion and expense, USAF installation commanders may also provide services and facilities necessary to assist CAP, including medical treatment, temporary billeting, food, exchange, and transportation.

Installation commanders will appoint a field grade project officer to assist CAP-USAF liaison personnel.

The Air Force furnishes money for aircraft, provides vehicle support, reimbursement for expenses for authorized missions, and fuel and lubricants to CAP personnel taking part in search and rescue operations.

Supporting Air Force-CAP Liaison Offices

Air Force-CAP liaison offices, as opposed to CAP organizations, are USAF "special activities". HQ Air University (AU) administers and accounts for funds that finance the direct operating expenses of Air Force CAP liaison offices. Upon request of Air Force CAP liaison offices, commanders of Air Force activities also furnish administrative and logistical support.

The Air Force furnishes Air Force CAP liaison offices and personnel at National HQ CAP the following administrative and logistical support without reimbursement.

- Routine office and administrative supplies and equipment required by Air Force personnel assigned to Air Force liaison offices.

- Special mission aircraft, automotive, and other Air Force equipment carried on current Air Force accountable records and assigned for use by Air Force personnel at National Headquarters CAP, or the Air Force liaison offices. They receive maintenance and supply support from the nearest Air Force base responsible for logistic support.

When Air Force noncombat missions such as SAR or counter drug (CD) are tasked to CAP, missions will be referred to as Air Force-assigned missions and will be assigned Air Force mission numbers. For civil-liability purposes, CAP is an instrumentality of the United States when it is engaged to perform Air Force-assigned missions.

Every summer, CAP cadets participate in programs held at various military installations throughout the nation where available. The Air Force actively supports these training events. Some of these programs include the Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course, where students get an in-depth look at the USAF Space program. The USAF Air Education and Training Command Familiarization course gives cadets the opportunity to attend class, observe, and learn along side Air Force student pilots at pilot training bases.

When cadets attend these programs, the Air Force works to ensure that the youths have medical services and eat at military dining facilities. In addition, they have access to the base theater, bowling alley, swimming pools, and a variety of other recreational facilities.

At the unit level, CAP members can request tours of local Air Force installations and aircraft assigned to each base. Simply contact your USAF liaison officer or the base public affairs officer for information on scheduling a tour.

CAP Support

Civil Air Patrol conducts a continuous nationwide program of aerospace education, a comprehensive cadet program, and a comprehensive professional development  program for senior members. It also maintains an emergency services capability to meet the requests of the Air Force and assists local, state, and Federal agencies in emergency operations and activities. Furthermore, CAP maintains a nationwide communications capability for mission support, and it assists the Air Force recruiting program.

Aerospace Education. CAP’s Aerospace Education program provides an invaluable role in educating not only its own members, but the general public as well. Internal programs ensure that all CAP members have an appreciation for and knowledge of aerospace issues. This rigorous educational program is offered at every level of the CAP organization. At the same, CAP stimulates public interest in aerospace issues through its external programs in our nation’s education systems. CAP annually supports over 100 workshops in numerous colleges and universities. These workshops emphasize basic aerospace knowledge and focus on advances in technology.

For over 60 years, the CAP Cadet Program has provided our nation’s youth the opportunity to develop leadership skills that have a life-long impact. Through the CAP National Scholarship Program flight academies, etc., cadets can further their aviation interests. The Air Force is fully aware of the high standards the cadets must meet in CAP. CAP cadets and former cadets are highly recruited and are usually well represented at the USAF Academy, other service academies, Reserve Officer Training Corps programs at universities, and basic training programs of all services. The USAF recognizes enlisting CAP cadets receiving the Billy Mitchell Award with advancement to the E-3 pay grade in recognition of their achievements.

Emergency Services. Every year, CAP personnel directly support the Air Force and other Federal agencies flying search and rescue missions, surveying flights for air shows and low level routes, and a variety of other missions. CAP is always ready to perform civil defense and other missions, such as crashed aircraft spotting/marking, courier service, post attack assessment, drug surveillance flights, disaster relief, and other humanitarian services. In addition, CAP provides communication support to the USAF with its nationwide radio network, while training communications personnel for domestic or military emergencies.

On call 24 hours a day, CAP air and ground crews perform over 85 percent of all inland search and rescue as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. These SAR services not only extend to the USAF, but the US Coast Guard as well.

The USAF – CAP relationship traces its history for over 60 years and is unique in several ways. The two organizations depend on each other to be able to carry out each of their missions. At the unit level, members should know how to develop and strengthen this relationship. Fostering this relationship pays dividends to both the USAF and CAP as both organizations provide their service to the country.