CAP has three major responsibilities, called missions. CAP conducts 75% of all inland search and rescue missions that are directed by the Air Force. Some specific examples are disaster relief, medical transportation, aerial photography, coastal search and rescue, missing person searches, and missing aircraft searches. CAP's second mission is aerospace education. CAP owns the worlds largest fleet o
f light aircraft and a few gliders. Besides using the aircraft for search and rescue, the aircraft are also used for teaching cadets the basics of flight on orientation flights. The last mission is Cadet Programs. CAP is open to all youth ages 12-20 (There is also a senior member program for those 21+). In the cadet program, cadets learn military traditions, moral values, and teamwork to prepare themselves for the adult world. As a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, cadets get to wear Air Force style uniforms. Cadets meet once a week in a small group called a squadron. It's a great place to make friends. Besides the weekly meetings, cadets have the opportunity to go on glider and airplane flights. On those flights cadets learn about the aircraft, and how they stay in the air. Sometimes the pilot even lets the cadet have the controls for a few minutes. Some other activities cadets can participate in are visiting Air Force bases, participation in the color guard, working at air shows, and going to flight academies to learn even more about flight. CAP is a great organization for anyone interested in aviation, the military, or emergency services
