Operations CAPabilities

Civil Air Patrol serves as the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, supporting a broad range of missions and providing vital capabilities across the country. With more than 60,000 volunteers, CAP offers rapid-response resources for search and rescue, disaster relief, aerospace education, and homeland security. Our extensive network of trained personnel and specialized equipment ensures that CAP is ready to assist in both routine and emergency operations.

CAP’s capabilities are a cost-effective force multiplier, offering professional support at a fraction of the cost of traditional military or civilian resources. This standardized CAPabilities overview is designed to assist CAP staff officers at the region, wing, and unit levels in briefing potential customers about the resources available.

Please refer to the Related Documents and Related Links on the right for additional resources, including the CAPabilities Briefing, Handbook, and Brochure.

Core CAP Missions

Search and Rescue (SAR): CAP assists federal, state, and local agencies in search and rescue operations, contributing to lives saved and acting as a key partner in SAR missions nationwide.
Disaster Relief: CAP provides airborne and ground-based disaster relief, including damage assessment, transportation of supplies, and search and rescue efforts during natural disasters.
Homeland Security: CAP supports homeland security missions by providing reconnaissance, communications, and transport capabilities for federal agencies like FEMA, DHS, and the Coast Guard.
Aerospace Education: CAP educates cadets and adult members through leadership development, character education, and STEM-based programs to inspire the next generation of aviators and space explorers.

Resources Available

CAP operates an extensive fleet of equipment and trained personnel, including:

Airplanes, Gliders and Balloons
Thousands of trained volunteers, including pilots, aircrew, ground teams, and chaplains
Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS)
Nationwide communication systems, including VHF-FM and HF radios, along with mobile and tactical repeater systems
Ground teams trained in disaster relief, search and rescue, and aerial imagery collection

For more detailed information about CAP’s missions and how CAP can support your agency’s needs, please refer to the Related Documents and Related Links sections

For additional inquiries or suggestions, please contact do@capnhq.gov.