The Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer non-profit organization that performs three main elements – emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet program. Founded during the early stages of World War II, in 1941, the Civil Air Patrol is an official auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The organization is best known for its involvement in search and rescue, disaster relief and civil defense. That reputation is understandable considering CAP members fly some 80 percent of the search and rescue mission hours directed by the Air Force Rescue and Coordination Center head quartered at Scott AFB in Illinois. But there is much more to the Civil Air Patrol than search and rescue.
During World War II the CAP’s principal purpose was to provide private pilots and aviation enthusiasts a means of using their light aircraft and skills in civil defense efforts. Among these civil defense wartime missions were anti-submarine patrol missions along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, patrol missions along the Mexican border, watching for enemy agents trying to sneak into the country, airlift of small lots of vitally needed war supplies and aircraft parts, and towing of aerial targets for gunners to use in practice. During this period, CAP also began a program to introduce teenagers and potential aviation cadets to aircraft and flying, as well as a program to place aviation courses into the public schools.
In 1943, the organization came under the control and direction of the Army Air Forces. It became a permanent peace-time institution in 1946 when President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 476, which incorporated CAP as a non-profit organization. In May 1948 the organization became the official auxiliary of the Air Force. CAP’s emergency services mission has expanded over the years and now includes assisting the U.S. Customs Service in its counter-narcotics efforts by flying air reconnaissance missions along U.S. borders. Similar missions are being flown for the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Forest Service. Additionally, the emergency services mission includes civil defense and disaster relief operations in support of local, state, federal, and other emergency services organizations.
Today’s CAP is also heavily involved with aerospace education programs and a special cadet program designed to inspire the country’s youth to become leaders and good citizens, as it was when the CAP existed in the 1940’s at the Mexico Farms Airfield. Each year CAP supports some 200 aerospace education workshops for teachers at 150 colleges and universities around the country. The Air Force draws many aviation career-minded members each year into its ranks from the CAP cadet program.
Cumberland’s local Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron 18065 has been in existence for over five and one-half decades, and remains based at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport. The organization has quietly continued its purely volunteer efforts of providing a valuable service to the Air Force and to our tri-state area. The long tradition of service by our local Civil Air Patrol unit is upheld by its current membership. Interested youngsters may join the squadron as a cadet member from age 13 (or through the sixth grade) through age 18. Senior members may join at age 18. A cadre of older members conscientiously provides oversight, guidance, and leadership to this worthy organization who’s benevolent and spirited efforts are of great benefit to this community.
The Civil Air Patrol emblem on the left as it appears on the doorway of the CAP building, and the CAP signage at the same site on the Cumberland Airport.
A group of the local CAP Cadets, and Ernie and Margaret Kesner, long time members of the Squadron
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Wings Over Cumberland 