By Diana McDonnel, Public Affairs Officer—
MUNCIE, IN—Have you ever wanted to fly an airplane? If so then the Civil Air Patrol is for you. What is the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)?
Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary branch of the Air Force (with no military commitment following graduation). We focus on pillars of community service, emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet leadership. Cadets must be 12 years old to join. Civil Air Patrol is open to boys and girls.
The Muncie Squadron is holding an Open House on September 17, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Muncie, IN. You can learn more about aerospace (playing with drones, flying an airplane, model rocketry); emergency services (first aid, search and rescue, and survival instincts); Leadership (teamwork, ability to lead others, and communication); Core values (integrity respect, doing your best, volunteering). You will be able to interact with our cadets and senior members. Please join us.
Here are some of the opportunities cadets gain access to:
- Orientation flights and flight training
- Emergency services mission support
- Robotics and engineering programs
- Summer and winter encampments
- Aerospace and STEM education
- Adventure and obstacle courses
- Community service opportunities
- Leadership development
- Model rocketry
- Cyber security training
- Survival training
Today’s Civil Air Patrol cadets become tomorrow’s leaders through the fun, challenge, adventure, and teamwork that make the CAP experience unlike anything else.
Civil Air Patrol is a force for good. We are 60,000 members strong (adults and youth). We are dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures through emergency services, youth programs, and education.
Membership in the organization consists of cadets ranging from 12 to 21 years of age, and senior members 18 years of age and up. These two groups each have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of pursuits The cadets program contributes to the development of the former group with a structured syllabus and an organization based upon United States Air Force ranks, while the older members serve as instructors, supervisors, and operators. Most members wear uniforms while performing their duties.
Civil Air Patrol has five congressionally mandated missions:
- To provide an organization to encourage and aid citizens of the United States in contributing their efforts, services, and resources in developing aviation and in maintaining air supremacy; and encourage and develop by example the voluntary contribution of private citizens to the public welfare.
- To provide aviation education and training, especially to its seniors and cadet members.
- To encourage and foster civil aviation in local communities.
- To provide an organization of private citizens with adequate facilities to assist in meeting local and national emergencies.
- To assist the Department of the Air Force in fulfilling its non-combat pr0grams and missions.
The organization condenses these mandates into three core program areas, which are aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services.
Civil Air Patrol covers several emergency services areas. The principal categories include search and rescue missions, disaster relief, humanitarian services and United States Air Force support. Other services, such as homeland security and actions against drug-trafficking operations are becoming increasingly important; CAP missions are assigned on a case-by-case basis by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Some of the more notable missions include the search for John F. Kennedy, Jr., the Payne Stewart mishap, the September, 2011 terrorist attacks, the Space Shuttle Columbia crash, and recently the search for world-record setting adventurer Steve Cosset.
Since 1941, CAP has responded to the needs of our nation and neighbors. A few ways CAP can make a difference are:
- Search for lost, injured, or missing persons
- Provide post-disaster support and relief
- Serve on an aircrew or ground unit
- Participate in military joint training exercises
- Learn diverse new skills and mentor others
- Educate youth about aerospace, outer space, and cyberspace
The local squadron is the 205th Composite Squadron. We focus on the cadets, cadet sponsors/parents, and active adult members. We have weekly meetings on Tuesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm. The meetings are held at 2012 Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Muncie, IN. Our Commander is Captain Kimberly S. Wolfe. The building name is Homeschool Meeting Place/Berean Builders.
Along with our weekly meetings, we also have a “fun day” once a month. Our cadets receive promotions. Depending on the promotions you receive, you can join the United States Air Force at a higher rank than Airman Basic.
Please join us at our Open House to learn more and interact with the cadets and senior members.
