To serve America by developing our Nation’s youth; accomplishing local, state, and national missions; and educating our citizens to ensure air and space supremacy.
The Kansas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol Commander is Colonel George W. Boyd. He is a well-known name in the Wichita area as well as throughout the state of Kansas, serving as the former Director of the Division of Aviation for the Department of Transportation. He is a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, serving as a jet fighter radar intercept officer for over 28 years in the United States Air Force, from which he retired in 1971 as a Tuskegee Airman. His work in the state as Commander of the Kansas Wing serves as in integral part of the total organization. Following are facts regarding the Civil Air Patrol.
The Corporation:
CAP is a private, nonprofit 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) corporation and by congressional charter is the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The eight CAP geographical regions are composed of 52 wings, one for each state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Wings are divided into groups, squadrons, and flights and total approximately 1,700 units and more than 56,000 members. Air Force liaison staff are assigned to CAP regions to advise and support. CAP corporation and members own and operate more than 5,000 light aircraft, the world’s largest civilian fleet, and volunteers fly about 130,000 hours each year on CAP missions. National Headquarters is located at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and there a corporate staff supports the membership in aerospace education, cadet programs, emergency services, finance, human resources and marketing.
Our History:
CAP was founded in December 1941, one week before the Japanese attack on Pear Harbor, by over 150,000 citizens concerned about the defense of America’s coastline. Their efforts were led by Gill Robb Wilson, writer and aviator, and supported by Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold. In 1943, CAP was assigned to the War department under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces. assisting the War Department, CAP pilots flew over one-half million hours, were credited with sinking two enemy submarines, and rescued hundreds of crash survivors during World War II. On July 1, 1946, President Truman established CAP as a federally chartered benevolent civilian corporation. On May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557, which made CAP the auxiliary of the new United States Air Force. CAP was charged with three missions: Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services.
Aerospace Education:
Aerospace education provides our membership and the community with classroom materials, teacher training and other educational aids which promote the understanding of aviation and space programs. Each year, CAP supports workshops for thousands of educators at colleges and universities across America. Educators are taught how to incorporate aerospace into the education of America’s youth. CAP develops, publishes and distributes aerospace teaching materials for classroom grades K through college. Over 20,000 of these teaching tools which include activity books, fact sheets, textbooks, study and instructor guides, and aerospace activity materials are distributed annually to educators, most are free of charge. Each spring CAP sponsors the National Congress on Aviation and Space Education (NCASE). More than 1,000 teachers attend seminars, assemblies and workshops conducted by national and international aerospace experts, master teachers, practicing research test pilots and astronauts. Annually, CAP provides aerospace education instruction to more than 24,000 youth members and offers aerospace education opportunities to over 33,000 adult members. CAP through its linked Web Page serves as an aerospace resource center for educators. Visitors are directed to on-line aerospace activities and other classroom teaching tools.
Cadet Programs:
The cadet program develops the potential of youth aged 12 to 21, through aerospace education, leadership training, and physical fitness. More than 24,000 youth from the U.S. and Puerto Rico participate and progress through a 15-step program with exciting aviation and aerospace activities occurring on a local and national level. CAP adult members help inspire and encourage cadets interested in aviation industry or military careers. Parents and educators credit the cadet program for communicating the importance of integrity, self-discipline and trust in their children’s personal and professional success. Ten percent of all students enrolled in the Air Force Academy are former CAP cadets. More than 200 former cadets attend West Point and about 150 attend the Naval Academy. Three of the four young women accepted as the first to attend the formerly all male Virginia military Institute are CAP cadets. Cadets who earn the General Billy Mitchell Award are eligible to enlist in the Air Force at a higher pay-grade.
Emergency Services:
CAP is most commonly associated with the mission of emergency services. CAP volunteer pilots fly more than 85% of all inland search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley AFB, Virginia. CAP saved 75 lives last year through search and rescue efforts. CAP volunteer members provide disaster relief support, including air and ground transportation and aerial reconnaissance, to agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). CAP’s extensive communications network is available to local, state, and national disaster relief agencies free of charge. CAP transports time-sensitive medical materials in support of humanitarian organizations. The live organ transport program is credited with saving an average of 10 lives every year. CAP counterdrug operations through formal agreements with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Customs Service, the Drug Enforcement Agency and he U.S. Forest Service provides aerial reconnaissance, airborne communications support, and airlift of law enforcement personnel in support of our nation’s war on drugs.
For membership information: Call 1-800-FLY-2338, or visit our Web Page.