What is the Civil Air Patrol, and how do its members serve today? Since Civil Air Patrol’s formation during the earliest days of World War II, this vigilant organization of citizen Airmen has been committed to service America. It was founded December 1, 1941, to mobilize the Nation’s civilian aviation resources for National defense service. CAP evolved into a premier public service organization that still carries out emergency service missions when needed–in the air and on the ground.
As a Total Force partner and Auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol is there to search for and find the lost; provide comfort in times of disaster; work to keep the homeland safe. Its 60,000 members selflessly devote their time, energy, and expertise toward the well-being of their communities. [The organization] promotes aviation and related fields through aerospace/STEM education and helps shape future leaders through CAP’s Cadet program.
Civil Air Patrol’s missions for America are many. Today’s adults and Cadets perform their duties with the same vigilance as its founding members, preserving CAP’s legacy of service, while maintaining its commitment to nearly 1500 communities Nationwide.
Rick Smith, Morrison, IL, is Civil Air Patrol Commander of Squadron GLR-IL 334 unit, at Whiteside County Airport in Rock Falls, IL. In May 2020 he and some CAP Cadets completed a service project at Grove Hill Cemetery, for the Morrison American Legion. They placed American flags on graves of veterans, in preparation for Memorial Day; they returned to remove them. As the Legionnaires prepared to celebrate their 100th anniversary, Monday, August 17, they planned to recognize the boys and girls. Smith and his group were unable to attend that night.
“CAP is headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. Units serve under Department of Defense regulations.” he stated. “CAP serves communities when we are called to send an aircraft, to find people or photograph the area to record storm and flood damage. We have saved 125 lives across America to date.”
“We are all volunteers; no one is paid. We purchase our own [airplane] fuel for trainings, [uniforms, and equipment] through fundraisers.” Unfortunately, due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, “these in-person events had to be postponed.”
His staff includes four Seniors over age 21 and ten Cadets, boys and girls ages 12-to-18. Smith meets with them at the airport.on Mondays, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. He teaches aerospace content and search-and-rescue techniques on land and in the air. He teaches fiber security on computers. “We teach Cadets how to approach hacking.”
Smith does not teach them to fly a plane. This initiative would be handled by certified Flight Instructors, first by attending ground school and then pursuing flight instruction/licensing.
He mentioned there are Civil Air Patrol units in other countries, including Japan. Visit www.whitesidecivilairpatrolwhitesidecap.org for more information about this unique service organization.
Contact Rick Smith at 815-718-3365 to support the Civil Air Patrol fundraising for CAP GLR-IL 334.