Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol

The Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Virginia. Virginia Wing headquarters are located in Richmond, Virginia.^[2] The Virginia Wing consists of over 1,600 cadet and adult members at over 24 locations across the state of Virginia.^[3]

Mission

The Civil Air Patrol has three primary missions set forth by the United States Congress: emergency services, cadet programs, and aerospace education.^[4]

Emergency services

The Civil Air Patrol performs emergency services missions, including search and rescue missions. Other emergency services missions include disaster relief, reconnaissance, and counter-drug along with transportation missions, all of which are support for homeland security.^[5] The CAP provides radio communications during disasters to maintain communication when commercial communications infrastructure is nonfunctional.^[6]

Maj. Nathan McClure, an Air Force Fellow, guides his team of Civil Air Patrol cadets in the inflation of a Civil-War era balloon near Chantilly, Va.

Cadet programs

The CAP offers cadet programs for youth aged 12 to 21, which includes aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership.^[7]

Virginia Wing cadets take part in activities including camping trips, model rocket launches, and fundraisers. In addition, cadets are eligible to participate in statewide activities such as a leadership encampment, a week-long 24/7 immersion into cadet life, held every year at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, VA. Cadets are also eligible to train for and participate in CAP Emergency Services operations. Cadets often serve as radio operators, ground team members, and mission base staffers. Cadets over the age of 18 can also serve on CAP aircrews.^[8]

Aerospace education

The Civil Air Patrol provides aerospace education to the public and its own members. Public education is offered through education programs directed toward the aviation community and the public at large. Education for CAP members is an internally focused program directed primarily at cadet members as part of their training program.^[9]

Organization

A Civil Air Patrol cadet from the Virginia Wing rests after a mission.

Airman 1st Class Jillian Smith wears two uniforms. As an active duty Air Force member (left) she is an Airman 1st class. In her off duty time she volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol and is a second lieutenant (right).

See also

• Virginia Air National Guard
• Virginia Defense Force

References

External links

• Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol official website

United States Military Auxiliaries
USAF: Civil Air Patrol USN: Merchant Marine USCG: Coast Guard Auxiliary
Inter-service: Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS)

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