THE CIVIL AIR PATROL (CAP)
WAS FOUNDED IN DECEMBER OF 1941 THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF GILL ROBB WILSON, A NEW JERSEY AVIATION WRITER AND THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF AOPA, AND GENERAL HENRY HAP ARNOLD. AFTER THE START OF WWII THE CAP WAS ASKED TO DO COASTAL PATROLS FOR ENEMY SUBMARINES DUE TO THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT MILITARY RESOURCES. ONE OF THE FIRST SUB CHASE UNITED BASED AT BADER FIELD WAS RECENTLY CREDITED WITH SINKING A GERMAN U BOAT OFF THE NEW JERSEY COAST. IN 1943 CAP WAS PLACED UNDER THE CONTROL AND DIRECTION OF THE ARMY AIR CROPS AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORTING SUPPLIES, TARGET TOWING, AND SEARCH & RESCUE. IN 1948 CAP WAS MADE A OFFICIAL AUXILIARY UNIT OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BY PUBLIC LAW. CAP WAS CHARGED WITH 3 MISSIONS – AEROSPACE EDUCATION, EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND CADET PROGRAMS. CAP AE AEROSPACE INCLUDES PROGRAMS FOR BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS THROUGH AEROSPACE WORKSHOPS. CAP ANNUALLY SPONSORS THE NATIONAL CONGRESS ON AVIATION AND SPACE EDUCATION. THE GOAL OF THE CADET PROGRAM IS TO DEVELOP THE POTENTIAL OF HIGH SCHOOL AGE YOUTH THROUGH PHYSICAL FITNESS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, MORAL & ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT AND AEROSPACE EDUCATION.
CADET MEMBERS ARE TASKED ARE TASKED WITH INCREASING LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND RESPOSIBILITY AS THEY PROGRESS THROUGH THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, THEY ARE INTRODUCED TO FLYING THROUGH A FLIGHT ORIENTATION PROGRAM. CADET HAVING ATTAINED A CERTAIN LEADERSHIP LEVEL CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN SOLO ENCAMPMENTS, AIR TRAINING COMMAND FAMILIARIZATION COURSE, OFFICES SCHOOL AND AN INTERNATIONAL AIR CADET EXCHANGE. MORE THAN 10% OF THE SERVICE
ACADEMY CADET ARE FORMER CAP CADET. CAP EMERGENCY SERVICE MISSION INCLUDE SEARCH ARE RESCUE, DISASTER RELIEF AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE EFFORTS. CAP VOLUNTEERS, WHO HAVE UNDERGONE RIGOROUS TRAINING, FLY OVER 85% OF THE SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS FOR THE AIR FORCE AND ARE CREDITED WITH SAVING HUNDREDS OF LIVES EACH YEAR.
CAP ALSO ASSISTS OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITH DISASTER RELIEF BRINGING IN NEEDED SUPPLIES INTO DISASTER STRICKEN AREAS AND ASSISTING WITH AIRBORNE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. CAP IS HEADQUARTERED AT MAXWELL AFB, ALABAMA AND IS STAFFED BY CORPORATE DIRECTORS,
CORPORATE EMPLOYEES, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL, AIR FORCE LIAISON PERSONNEL ARE ASSIGNED TO CAP WINGS AND REGIONS TO ADVISE AND SUPPORT. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE MORRISTOWN AIRPORT’S CAP BRANCH OR OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT HTTP://WWW.CAP.GOV