New Jersey Civil Air Patrol seeks cadet and adult members

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is celebrating 62 years of volunteer service to America. Since Dec. 1, 1941, when the organization was formed, CAP has protected the home skies. In the early days of World War II, CAP performed anti-submarine patrols and was responsible for saving countless lives and merchant ships from disaster.

Today Civil Air Patrol, as the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, is involved in homeland security with over 64,000 trained volunteers, 1,700 operational units, 530 aircraft and 1,000 vehicles.

Sept. 11, 2001, was a tragic day for America. CAP responded with the first aerial survey of the World Trade Center disaster site and provided air transportation for federal officials days after Sept. 11.

CAP patrolled the waters off Cape Kennedy prior to the last shuttle and provided homeland security support during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

CAP conducts 95 percent of all inland search and rescue in our country as tasked by the U.S. Air Force, saving an average of 100 lives per year. Our units provide airborne imagery of critical infrastructures such as dams, pipelines, bridges, power plants, seaports and more.

The CAP Cadet programs offer our nation’s youth the opportunity of aerospace education, college scholarships, powered and glider flight training scholarships, the International Cadet Exchange program and more.

Classroom materials, teacher training and other educational aids are provided at no cost to America’s teachers by CAP. The Civil Air Patrol is a vital organization that prepares our youth morally, physically and mentally as leaders of tomorrow.

New Jersey has 27 units based throughout the state. We are looking for cadet and adult members who want to make a difference in their personal lives while contributing to a strong America. Visit www.cap.gov. Click "join" for the unit locator http://www.cap.gov/join/unitlocator.html.

Lisa Van Clief, Major

CAP Public Affairs Officer

New Jersey Wing

Civil Air Patrol

Auxiliary of the

U.S. Air Force

Norwood