Civil Air Patrol is one of the four partners in the U.S. Air Force Total Force. Consisting of CAP as the Air Force auxiliary as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and active-duty Air Force, each partner has specific missions that often foster collaboration.
For CAP, the collaboration often consists of participation in training exercises as intercept targets straying into restricted airspace, performing search and rescue missions assigned by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and, through the Rated Preparatory Program, is providing essential preparatory training to active-duty officers who aspire to achieve their goal of earning their Air Force wings.
“CAP is providing a crucial service for the Air Force and our nation,” said Brig. Gen. William Betts, vice commander, First Air Force, AFNORTH. “Some great airmen got their start in CAP, and we are committed to maintaining that tradition.”
Launched in 2019 as an experimental initiative, the program has already provided nearly 100 officers with accelerated instruction that identifies future pilots, navigators and other crew members to help address the Air Force’s potential pilot shortage.
