The Civil Air Patrol is celebrating 62 years of volunteer service to America. Since Dec. 1, 1941, when the organization was formed, CAP has protected the home skies. In the early days of World War II, CAP performed anti-submarine patrols and was responsible for saving countless lives and merchant ships from disaster.

Today, Civil Air Patrol, as the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, is involved in homeland security with over 64,000 trained volunteers, 1,700 operational units, 530 aircraft and 1,000 vehicles.

Sept. 11 was a tragic day for America. CAP responded with the first aerial survey of the World Trade Center disaster site and provided air transportation for federal officials days after. CAP patrolled the waters off Cape Kennedy prior to the last shuttle and provided homeland security support during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, flying 534 hours of airborne reconnaissance.

CAP conducts 95 percent of all inland search and rescue in our country as tasked by the U.S. Air Force, saving an average of 100 lives per year. Our units provide airborne imagery of critical infrastructures such as dams, pipelines, bridges, power plants, seaports and more.

The CAP Cadet programs offer our nation’s youth the opportunity of aerospace education, college scholarships, powered and glider flight training scholarships, International Cadet Exchange program and more. Aerospace Education initiatives support the community with hundreds of workshops at colleges and schools.

New Jersey has 27 units based throughout the state. We are looking for cadet and adult members who want to make a difference in their personal lives, while contributing to a strong America. Visit the Web site www.cap.gov and click "join" for the unit locator.

Lisa Van Clief

Civil Air Patrol

Public Affairs Officer

Norwood