Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol

Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol

The Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary
Associated branches
United States Air Force
Executive staff
Commander Col James A. Covel
Current statistics
Cadets 774
Seniors 922
Total Membership 1,696
Statistics as of 2014[1]

The Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Virginia. Virginia Wing headquarters are located in Richmond, Virginia.[2] The Virginia Wing consists of over 1,600 cadet and adult members at over 24 locations across the state of Virginia.[3]

Mission

The Civil Air Patrol has three primary missions set forth by the United States Congress: emergency services, cadet programs, and aerospace education.[4]

Emergency services

The Civil Air Patrol performs emergency services missions, including search and rescue missions. Other emergency services missions include disaster relief, reconnaissance, and counter-drug along with transportation missions, all of which are support for homeland security.[5] The CAP provides radio communications during disasters to maintain communication when commercial communications infrastructure is nonfunctional.[6]

Maj. Nathan McClure, an Air Force Fellow, guides his team of Civil Air Patrol cadets in the inflation of a Civil-War era balloon near Chantilly, Va.

Cadet programs

The CAP offers cadet programs for youth aged 12 to 21, which includes aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership.[7]

Virginia Wing cadets take part in activities including camping trips, model rocket launches, and fundraisers. In addition, cadets are eligible to participate in statewide activities such as a leadership encampment, a week-long 24/7 immersion into cadet life, held every year at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, VA. Cadets are also eligible to train for and participate in CAP Emergency Services operations. Cadets often serve as radio operators, ground team members, and mission base staffers. Cadets over the age of 18 can also serve on CAP aircrews.[8]

Aerospace education

The Civil Air Patrol provides aerospace education to the public and its own members. Public education is offered through education programs directed toward the aviation community and the public at large. Education for CAP members is an internally focused program directed primarily at cadet members as part of their training program.[9]

Organization

A Civil Air Patrol cadet from the Virginia Wing rests after a mission.
Airman 1st Class Jillian Smith wears two uniforms. As an active duty Air Force member (left) she is an Airman 1st class. In her off duty time she volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol and is a second lieutenant (right).
Squadrons of the Virginia Wing[10]
Designation Squadron Name Location Notes
VA002 Augusta Composite Squadron Waynesboro
VA017 Lynchburg Composite Squadron Lynchburg
VA023 Danville Composite Squadron Danville
VA025 Langley Composite Squadron Langley Air Force Base
VA040 Winchester Composite Squadron Winchester
VA048 Roanoke Composite Squadron Roanoke
VA056 Montgomery Composite Squadron Christiansburg
VA060 Southside Composite Squadron North Chesterfield
VA064 Byrd Field Composite Squadron Richmond
VA068 Martinsville Composite Squadron Martinsville
VA088 Newport-News Composite Squadron Yorktown
VA089 West Richmond Cadet Squadron Richmond
VA091 Monticello Composite Squadron Charlottesville
VA094 Hanover County Composite Squadron Ashland
VA095 Coastal Composite Squadron Virginia Beach
VA102 Prince William Composite Squadron Fairfax
VA108 Fredericksburg Composite Squadron Fredericksburg
VA117 Leesburg Composite Squadron Leesburg
VA129 Holston Valley Composite Squadron Lebanon
VA130 Burke Composite Squadron Springfield
VA135 Minuteman Composite Squadron Stafford
VA140 Hummel Field Composite Squadron Topping
VA141 Hampton Roads Composite Squadron Chesapeake
VA142 Fort Pickett Composite Squadron Nottoway

See also

References

  1. ↑ "eServices, National Headquarters". Civil Air Patrol., login required
  2. ↑ "Contact Us". Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  3. ↑ "2014 Statistics" (PDF). Capmembers.com. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "History and World War II". Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "CAP/SAR Missions and Functions". Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "Communications". Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "Cadet Programs". Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Cadet Programs". Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Aerospace Education". Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  10. ↑ "Civil Air Patrol Unit Directory" (PDF). Gocivilairpatrol.com. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
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