Civil Air Patrol History
Pearl Harbor propelled the United States into World War II, but many Americans saw the AXIS threat long before Dec. 7, 1941. Among them were nearly 150,000 men and women involved in aviation.
As early as 1938, they began to argue for the creation of an organization to harness their aviation resources to aid the nation in the event America
entered the conflict. Their efforts, led by writer-aviator Gill Robb Wilson and supported by Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, resulted in the creation of the
Civil Air Patrol on Dec. 1, 1941 - one week before Pearl Harbor.
First organized under the Office of Civilian Defense, headed by former New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, Civil Air Patrol members became the
"Minutemen" of World War II, volunteering their time, resources, and talents to defend the nation's borders and fill the gaps as men and resources
were being mobilized to fight abroad.
The War Department, especially the Army Air Forces, recognized the important roles performed by CAP. In April 1943, CAP was reassigned from
the Office of Civilian Defense to the War Department and placed under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces.
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"After the German surrender, one of Hitler's high-ranking naval officers was asked why the Nazi U-boats
had been withdrawn from U.S. coastal waters early in 1943. The answer was exploded in a curt guttural:
'It was because of those damned little red and yellow planes!'"
-- From Robert E. Neprud's Flying Minute Men
These Flying Minutemen, all volunteers, performed valiantly during the war. They performed many missions including coastal patrol to search for enemy submarines, search and rescue missions throughout the United States, cargo and courier flights to transfer critical materials and personnel,
and even towing targets so Army Air Corps personnel could practice air-to-air gunnery techniques - a very risky mission with new gunners.
In all, these volunteers amassed a stunning record - flying more than half-a-million hours, sinking two enemy submarines, and saving hundreds
of crash victims.
A thankful nation recognized the vital role CAP played during the war and understood the organization could continue to provide invaluable help to
both local and national agencies.
On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 476 that incorporated CAP as a benevolent, nonprofit organization.
And on May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 which permanently established CAP as the Auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. This law
also gave the Secretary of the Air Force the authority to provide financial and material assistance to the organization.
Jason was nominated to participate in Civil Air Patrol by Major Ebelt and will start training in the fall, 2007. We are proud that he will be part of a
great organization and we look for him to make a great contribution while......performing missions for America!
Update on Jason's CAP Career & Training:
Jason's first CAP meeting was Monday, Sept. 10th
He performed fitness tests on the first day which included push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups and ran a mile run which he finished first.
He is the only 6th grader in CAP in Missoula County.
He was recently promoted to Cadet Airman in November.
He looks very handsome in his uniform and is properly dressed for all inspections.
Civil Air Patrol - Dining Out Banquet
Jason received a Fitness Award for running a sub six minute mile.
He was the youngest of all participants to receive this award. CAP
is a great program for young people. Jason will start taking flying
lessons and in the future, he will be flying a private plane.
Civil Air Patrol Update
Jason flew to St. Ignatius with Montana Civil Air Patrol & helped clean up the airport.
This weekend he will attend a Wing Conference and fly to Belgrade, Montana. He is
enjoying flying and will start taking lessons soon. I will post some pictures later.