Organization

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a private, nonprofit corporation chartered under special Act of Congress on 1 December 1941, which sets forth the purposes, rights, and duties of the Civil Air Patrol.

The United States Congress later incorporated Civil Air Patrol on 1 July 1946.

Civil Air Patrol functions in accordance with its Constitution & Bylaws, regulations and other directives approved by the Board of Governors.

The objects and purposes of Civil Air Patrol shall be:

    a. To provide an organization to encourage and aid American citizens in the contribution of their efforts, services, and resources in the development of aviation and in the maintenance of aerospace supremacy.

    b. To provide an organization to encourage and develop, by example, the voluntary contribution of private citizens to the public welfare.

    c. To provide aviation and aerospace education and training, especially to its senior and cadet members.

    d. To encourage and foster civil aviation in local communities.

    e. To provide an organization of private citizens with adequate facilities to assist in meeting local and national emergencies.

    f. To assist the Department of the Air Force in fulfilling its noncombat programs and missions.

    

Click here to find out more about the Air Force structure.

Click here to find out how CAP is geograhically organized.

Click here to find out about CAP's National Headquarters.

Click here to find out about CAP's "Chain of Command."