Civil Air Patrol

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cockade

The Civil Air Patrol ( CAP ; German Zivile Luftpatrouille ) is a civilian unit of the United States Air Force . It was established on December 1, 1941 by the 9th Administrative Decree and its first in command was Major General John Francis Curry. During the Second World War , at least two German submarines were sunk by the CAP . It is no longer used for military purposes but is used for nonprofit and educational purposes in the United States . It is a voluntary organization made up of aviation-oriented members from all family backgrounds. The CAP is one of the authorities and organizations with security tasks . In addition, she is responsible for aerospace training for young people, as well as messenger services and homeland security. Contracts are also carried out for state and private agencies.

During the Second World War, the Civil Air Patrol was a way of using the citizens' aircraft for military purposes. The organization took on a number of tasks, including anti-submarine hunting , warfare, border patrol, and courier services. A total of 173 enemy submarines were sighted. Although it was a voluntary unit with no training or development, the organization's performance exceeded all expectations.

At the end of World War II, the Civil Air Patrol became a civilian unit of the United States Air Force. The deed of unification states that the CAP will never again be involved in combat missions, but will only be used for charitable purposes. Rescue missions are still in progress within the United States. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 , the first aerial photographs of the World Trade Center were obtained by the Civil Air Patrol and blood donations were transported.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Security tasks : Emergency Services ( Memento of the original from April 25, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / level2.cap.gov
  2. ↑ Education: Aerospace Education ( Memento of the original from June 14, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / level2.cap.gov

literature

  • Robert E. Neprud: Flying Minute Men. The story of the Civil Air Patrol. Duel, Sloan and Pearce, New York NY 1948.

Web links

Commons : Civil Air Patrol  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files