Civil Air Patrol has history at Travis

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jo Nash
  • Civil Air Patrol 22 Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. It was created by Administrative Order 9 in December 1941, with Maj. Gen. John F. Curry as the first CAP national commander.

The organization was originally formed to provide civilian air support to aid the war effort of World War II through border and coastal patrols, military training assistance, courier services and other activities.

These efforts were recognized and, after the close of the war, Civil Air Patrol was transferred from the United States Army to the newly formed Air Force. It was incorporated as a nonprofit organization of volunteers and declared to be of a benevolent nature, never again to be involved in direct combat activities.

Since that time, Civil Air Patrol has carried out three congressionally mandated objectives: emergency services, including search and rescue operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and a cadet program for teenage youth.

In addition, it has been tasked with assisting the United States Department of Homeland Security and also performs nonauxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross.

Travis Composite Squadron 22 has been a part of Civil Air Patrol for 61 years at Travis. There are more than 50 cadets and 18 senior members that meet weekly. Some of the cadets have been accepted to service academies such as the Air Force Academy and West Point. .

All of the cadets have been on orientation rides. The success of the program is a joint effort on both the cadets and senior members. The unit has been recognized for many of these success stories.

Squadron 22 meets at Travis from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Monday in Bldg. 241-B2.

To join, you need to be between the ages of 12 and 21. Adults are also welcome to join as a sponsor member or a senior member.

For more information, call 424-3996 or 2nd Lt. Jo Nash, Public Affairs officer, at 812-3863.