The Civil Air Patrol is a civilian organization but, as the civilian
Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, it comes as no surprise that it is organized
along military lines.
CAP is organized into eight geographic regions. These regions are
subdivided by the states falling within their boundaries and each state has a
CAP wing. Additionally, the District of Columbia and Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico have CAP wings.
These 52 wings are then subdivided into groups, squadrons, and flights
depending on their size. There are more than 1,700 CAP units, half of which
are composite squadrons or squadrons that have both senior and cadet members.
The highest governing body of CAP is the National Board, chaired by a
member of the CAP Corporation whose title is National Commander. This position
is held by a CAP Brigadier General elected by the members. Other members of
the Board include the eight region and 52 wing commanders.
This governing body also includes an elected National Vice Commander, Chief
of Staff, Legal Officer, Finance Officer, and Controller - all civilian
volunteers who have no active duty Air Force obligations or privileges.
There is one key position on the National Board that ties the CAP
Corporation to the U.S. Air Force - the Senior Air Force Advisor.
The advisor's position is held by an active-duty Air Force Colonel who, in
addition to serving as the Senior Air Force Adviser, is responsible for all
active duty and DoD civilian employees who provide liaison oversight and
advice to the CAP organization.
In this capacity, the Senior Air Force advisor is also the CAP-USAF
Commander.
Sound confusing? It's really not. When Congress enacted Public Law 557 in
1948, they determined that active-duty Air Force personnel should be assigned
to provide advice and assistance to the organization. Hence, Headquarters CAP-USAF
was established.
"As the active force draws down, the Air Force will engage in
increased burden-sharing with its Guard, Reserve and Auxiliary (CAP)
components. It is critical that U.S. Air Force installation and unit
commanders provide priority support to CAP--which in turn enhances CAP
mission readiness and a payback in increased mission support to the Air
Force by its civilian Auxiliary."
Mr. Bryan Sharratt
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
(Reserve Affairs)
In addition to the Air Force staff at CAP's National Headquarters, CAP
Liaison regions have a small staff headed by a commander and a staff of six
other officers, NCOs and DoD civilians who perform aerospace education and
training, logistics, and administration and operations functions.
Each of the 52 wings also has a liaison noncommissioned officer and some
also have a liaison officer - both who are retired U.S. Air Force members.
