What We Do
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was founded in December 1941 shortly before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and was made an auxiliary of the United States Air Force by act of Congress in 1947. Since that time, CAP has been tasked with three missions: Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education. At Seattle Composite Squadron, our focus is on the first of these three missions where we encourage and provide training, both initial and recurrent, to our members. As a result, many of our senior members are rated aircrew (i.e. mission pilots, observers, and scanners) while some of our cadet members have been trained as ground searchers.
Below you'll find a summary of each of CAP's missions.
CAP is best known for its members’ work in search and rescue and disaster relief missions; however, CAP is expanding its role in the 21st century to include an increasing number of homeland security operations and exercises. CAP also performs counterdrug reconnaissance missions at the request of law enforcement agencies and can do radiological monitoring and damage assessment. CAP members undergo rigorous training to perform these missions safely and cost-effectively.
CAP’s cadet program trains young men and women in teamwork, moral leadership, aerospace education, technical skills to support emergency services, and military history and customs. Through national encampments, a college and flight training scholarship program, and the International Air Cadet Exchange, CAP cadets broaden their horizons, learn to assume responsibility, feel self-confidence and set goals for their lives.
CAP maintains both internal and external aerospace education programs. CAP members, both adults and cadets, follow a rigorous program to learn about aviation and aerospace principles. CAP also reaches out to the general public through a special program for teachers at all grade levels. Through this program, CAP provides free classroom materials and lesson plans for aerospace education and each year sponsors the premier national conference in this field.
