Portal:United States Air Force/article/2007March

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The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). It was created on 1 December 1941 by Administrative Order 9, with Major General John F. Curry as the first CAP national commander. Civil Air Patrol is credited with sinking at least two German U-boats during World War II. Today, CAP is no longer called on to destroy submarines, but is instead a benevolent entity dedicated to education and national service. It is a volunteer organization with a strongly aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It performs four key missions: emergency services (including search and rescue), aerospace education for youth and the general public, cadet programs, and recently added is homeland security.