Civil Air Patrol Unit
The Fort McHenry Composite Squadron meets weekly Wednesday nights from 7-9 p.m. at the American Legion Post 109, 1610 Old Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227.
For Patriots ages 12 and up, Civil Air Patrol, the U. S. Air Force Auxiliary, is a vital force that protects Americans in need by responding to emergencies, preserves he values that make our county great by developing young leaders and ensures our country’s preeminence in aerospace and cyberspace education by dedicating ourselves to teaching future generations.
Prospective cadets aged 12-18 with their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking volunteer opportunities are invited as well. Follow the squadron on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fortmchenrycap/ For more information about CAP Maryland Wing, Group II squadrons, visit www.mdgroup2cap.org and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWGCAP.
CAP has three missions:
1) AEROSPACE EDUCATION: maintain America’s superiority in aerospace and now cyberspace technology, both internally and externally.
2) CADET PROGRAMS: cultivate the development of strong values and character in our nation’s youth.
3) EMERGENCY SERVICES: protect the homeland through search and rescue, force multiplication, disaster relief and counterdrug missions.
Civil Air Patrol’s greatest value is what it provides for America’s future CAP cadets are the bright minds that will pilot our country’s future. They will become entrepreneurs, doctors, scientists, soldiers, civic leaders, teachers, astronauts, and, yes, even pilots. They will help protect our homeland against our known enemies, and they will imagine and develop the skill sets we need to win the unknown battle for cyberspace that lies ahead. CAP teaches integrity and service and it demands excellence and respect. As each new generation charts the course for our culture, Civil Air Patrol is “always vigilant” in protecting the values that propel American character.
CAP wants and needs the best, the brightest and the most committed. Our promise to our members is an opportunity to build character and put that character into action in ways that are meaningful to our country and communities. Time with us is a unique combination of fun and challenge, personal development, and the value of making a real difference for people in need.
Nearly 1,600 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with four finds. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,245 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For more information, contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWGCAP.
Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.
