Altus CAP celebrates 65th anniversary

  • Published
  • By Michael Fletcher
  • Chief of News
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Altus, Okla. Civil Air Patrol auxiliary traces its heritage back to the formation of the Civil Air Patrol on Dec. 1, 1941, less than a week before the attack on Pearl Harbor plunged the country into World War II.

During World War II, a time of tight coastal security and rationing, the CAP program allowed private pilots to use their light aircraft and flying skills in civil defense efforts. The Civil Air Patrol limited its role to liaison flying (unarmed support flights) along the East Coast and patrols on the southern border. When Nazi submarines - U-boats - began disrupting deliveries of gasoline and oil to the United States, and sinking transports with soldiers and vital war supplies being rushed to Europe, the new organization found a new mission--coastal patrols and submarine spotting.

During World War II 40,000 people from all walks of life volunteered to serve in civilian coastal patrols and the Civil Air Patrol. Private pilots supplied their own aircraft and equipment, but their operating expenses often exceeded the $8 per day flight reimbursement provided by the government.

In 1943, the organization came under control and direction of the Army Air Forces. By 1943, Civil Air Patrol coastal patrols had flown 244,600 hours and 24 million miles, summoning help for 91 ships in distress and aiding in the rescue of 363 survivors of submarine attacks. CAP patrols spotted 173 enemy submarines, attacking 57 with bombs or depth charges, damaging 10 and sinking two. In recognition of its effectiveness,

By war's end, Civil Air Patrol volunteer pilots had flown over 500,000 hours, but many also paid the ultimate price--more than 90 CAP aircraft were lost and 64 of its volunteer members died while on CAP missions.

When the U.S. Air Force was established as a separate armed service in 1947 the Civil Air Patrol soon followed, designated as the Air Force's permanent civilian auxiliary in May 1948.

By the 1960s and 1970s, Civil Air Patrol pilots were flying more than 75 percent of all search and rescue missions in the United States, and that primary mission continues to this day.

CAP has nearly 57,000 members nationwide and performs 95 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions, as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. CAP was credited by the center with saving 73 lives in 2005 during hurricane relief efforts.

CAP volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.

CAP Capt. Doug Winters is the commander of the Jackson County Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron, one of ten squadrons that make up the CAP's Western Oklahoma Group II.

"With 15 adult CAP and 12 cadet members the Altus squadron stays active in direct support to the Altus Air Force Base flying mission and aerospace training," Captain Winters said. "Just as the charter of the initial CAP members was support to an active-duty mission, we are an official Air Force auxiliary with missions to perform."

The squadron uses its CAP Cessna 172 airplane to conduct aerial surveys of the 13 Altus AFB low-level military training routes flown by the C-17 Globmaster III aircrews, identifying and reporting three unchartered cellphone tower hazards this year. Using the CAP assets allows C-17 crews to concentrate on their primary mission of training aircrews to be fully operational in a wartime environment.

"We're also ready to respond immediately for search and rescue efforts - basically any time an aircraft or hiker emergency locator beacon goes off, day or night," Captain Winters said. Most of the ELT activations are accidental triggerings, he added, but the CAP air and ground response is professional and prepared for the worst.

CAP also trains with the Department of Homeland Security and joint government - civil authority during exercises, providing communications and intelligence.

"Many of our adult members have a military background and several started in CAP as a youth, intrigued by the opportunity to learn about aviation," Captain Winters said. "I'm proud of our active cadet program in Altus. The cadets have the opportunity to study the same aerospace correspondence programs as our Airmen, learn leadership and team skills and have a good deal of fun at the same time."

The Civil Air Patrol is comprised of Cadets (ages 12-18) and adult Officer members, age 18 and above. Professional training in ground team search and rescue as well as aircrew/airborne search and rescue techniques for all members.

Fully qualified cadets and adults may be called upon to assist in search and rescue missions, search for missing persons, conduct damage assessments for local city, state or federal agencies, and varied other missions. Nationally, the CAP played a huge role in last year's hurricane relief and damage assessment efforts.

"Flight training up to and including the private pilot certificate is offered to cadets age 16 and above," Captain Winters said. "Advanced ratings are available for adult members who already have their private pilot license."

The Jackson County Composite Squadron flew sorties in support of the Oklahoma Forestry Department during last winter's fires, reporting 10 of the 127 fires that were fought.

For information on local CAP opportunities, contact Capt. Doug Winters, 481-6098.

Compiled from the Jackson Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron and the Office of Public Affairs, Civil Air Patrol.