The West Virginia 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 state of West Virginia. West Virginia Wing

headquarters Headquarters (commonly referred to as HQ) denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. In the United States, the corporate headquarters represents the entity at the center or the to ...

are located in

Charleston, West Virginia Charleston is the capital and List of cities in West Virginia, most populous city of West Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Elk River (West Virginia), Elk and Kanawha River, Kanawha rivers, the city had a population of 48,864 at the 20 ...

. The West Virginia Wing consists of over 600 cadet and adult members at over 12 locations across the state of West Virginia.

Mission

The Civil Air Patrol has three primary missions: providing emergency services; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing aerospace education for CAP members and the general public.

Emergency services

The Civil Air Patrol performs emergency services missions, including

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 ...

missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. Other missions include providing disaster relief, through offering ground and air transport of and an extensive communications network, and the transport of medically time-sensitive materials. The Civil Air Patrol provides Air Force support through the conducting of light transport, communications support, and low-altitude route surveys. The Civil Air Patrol may also assist in counter-drug missions.

Cadet programs

The Civil Air Patrol runs a cadet program for youth aged 12 to 21. The program allows cadets to progress at their own pace through a 16-step program including aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership.

Aerospace education

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

Organization

West Virginia Wing CAP members present award to 167th 2

References

External links

West Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol official website
{{US military navbox Wings of the Civil Air Patrol Education in West Virginia Military in West Virginia