The National Capital Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of

Civil Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded mem ...

in the district of

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

The National Capital Wing consists of nearly 400 cadet and adult members at over 6 locations across the District of Columbia; the City of Alexandria, Arlington County and Fairfax County in Northern Virginia; and Prince Georges County, MD.

Mission

The National Capital Wing performs the three missions of the Civil Air Patrol: providing

emergency services Emergency services and rescue services are organizations that ensure public safety and health by addressing and resolving different emergencies. Some of these agencies exist solely for addressing certain types of emergencies, while others deal wit ...

; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing

aerospace Aerospace is a term used to collectively refer to the atmosphere and outer space. Aerospace activity is very diverse, with a multitude of commercial, industrial and military applications. Aerospace engineering consists of aeronautics and astrona ...

education for both CAP members and the general public.

Emergency services

The Civil Air Patrol provides emergency services, which includes performing

search and rescue Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search ...

and

disaster relief Emergency management or disaster management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management, despite its name, does not actuall ...

missions; as well as assisting in

humanitarian aid Humanitarian aid is material and logistic assistance to people who need help. It is usually short-term help until the long-term help by the government and other institutions replaces it. Among the people in need are the homeless, refugees, and ...

assignments. The CAP also provides

Air Force An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an a ...

support through conducting light transport, communications support, and low-altitude route surveys. The Civil Air Patrol can also offer support to counter-drug missions.

Cadet programs

The Civil Air Patrol offers a cadet program for youth aged 12 to 21, which includes aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership.

Aerospace education

The Civil Air Patrol offers aerospace education for CAP members and the general public, including providing training to the members of CAP, and offering workshops for youth throughout the nation through schools and public aviation events.

Resources

As of 2012, the National Capitol Wing has 2 Cessna 172's and a

Cessna 182 The Cessna 182 Skylane is an American four-seat, single-engined light airplane built by Cessna of Wichita, Kansas. It has the option of adding two child seats in the baggage area. Introduced in 1956, the 182 has been produced in a ...

. They have 13 Vehicles, mainly 9-10 seat vans split between the squadrons. They have 5 VHF/FM Repeaters and 61 VHF/FM stations, with 6 HF stations.https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Leg_Day_NatCap_Wing_HiRes_F22510C9C223C.pdf

Organization

National Capital Region Civil Air Patrol cadets prepare to hand out cold weather gear

References

External links

National Capitol Wing Civil Air Patrol official website
{{US military navbox Wings of the Civil Air Patrol Education in Washington, D.C. Military in Washington, D.C.