The awards and decorations of the Civil Air Patrol are "designed to recognize heroism, service, and program achievements" of members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) of the United States of America. The CAP is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and these awards are made to improve the esprit de corps of members. These awards are all worn in the form of medals or ribbons and all are considered civilian decorations. Civil Air Patrol regulations allow them to only be worn and displayed on appropriate CAP uniforms. In order to be considered for one of these awards, an individual must be a member in good standing of the Civil Air Patrol at the time of the act being recognized. There is a statute of limitations for these awards and all recommendations must be submitted within 2 years of the act being performed. It is possible for the next of kin of deceased persons to be presented awards to which a member was entitled, but which he or she did not receive. Award review boards are established at the region, wing, group, and squadron levels to consider recommendations for all awards and decorations.
The Grover Loening Award is given to Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Senior Members who complete Level III of the Senior Member Professional Development Program. It recognizes those members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal development in the CAP. This award was first given in 1964 and honors the late Grover Loening. A noted aviation pioneer, he was the first civilian member of the National Air and Space Museum’s Advisory Board.
The Paul E. Garber Award is given to Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Senior Members who complete Level IV of the Senior Member Professional Development Program. It recognizes those members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal development in the CAP. This award was first given in 1964 and honors Paul E. Garber. Mr. Garber was a noted aviation pioneer, curator emeritus of the National Air and Space Museum, and early champion of Civil Air Patrol.
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and occupations. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services, which includes search and rescue and disaster relief operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth. In addition, CAP has recently been tasked with homeland security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross. The program is established as an organization by Title 10 of the United States Code and its purposes defined by Title 36.
Cadet grades and insignia of the Civil Air Patrol are a series of cadet ranks awarded to cadets in Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Each grade and insignia corresponds to an equivalent United States Air Force enlisted and an equivalent officer grade insignia. A cadet begins at Cadet Airman Basic and must progress through all the enlisted grades before becoming a cadet officer. Each achievement requires the completion of several tasks
Hawk Mountain Ranger School (HMRS) is a Search and Rescue school operated by the Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). The school is located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains on 77 acres of Civil Air Patrol corporate property. The Summer School, which is the school's longest and most popular event, is a National Cadet Special Activity.
All branches of the United States Armed Forces use the general term Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) to describe the formal system of education which each branch provides to its enlisted personnel. Each branch has its own system and sequence of courses, with the overall focus on leadership and management. Education generally increases in intensity and level of knowledge as individuals progress in rank and assume broader leadership roles. EPME is distinct from the technical training which service members receive for their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC), or Navy Rating.
The Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of CAP in the State of Georgia. Georgia Wing headquarters are located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia.
The New Mexico Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of New Mexico. Its headquarters is located at Kirtland AFB, and the wing is under the command of Colonel Annette R. Peters.
Antonio "Tony" Pineda Jr. was a National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol. The Civil Air Patrol removed Pineda as national commander after investigating complaints that another patrol member took Air Force tests for him.
South Dakota Wing Civil Air Patrol is the highest echelon of CAP in the state of South Dakota. The wing headquarters is at the Rapid City Regional Airport in Rapid City, South Dakota. SDWG reports to CAP's North Central Region, which in turn reports to CAP National Headquarters at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. The wing consists of squadrons, the basic unit of CAP. At present SDWG consists of three administrative squadrons and eight "composite" squadrons that are composed of cadets and senior members. SDWG is currently commanded by Colonel Nicholas Gengler.
The New York Wing Civil Air Patrol is the highest echelon of the Civil Air Patrol in the state of New York. Headquartered at Westchester County Airport campus in White Plains, New York, the New York Wing (NYWG) has 9 primary subordinate units located throughout the state to help it carry out its missions.
The California Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of California. California Wing headquarters are located in Van Nuys, California. The California Wing consists of over 3,000 cadet and adult members at over 77 locations across the state of California.
The Louisiana Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Louisiana. Louisiana Wing headquarters are located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Louisiana Wing consists of over 500 cadet and adult members at 17 locations across the state of Louisiana.
The Oregon Wing is one of six wings that comprise the Pacific Region and one of 52 wings in the Civil Air Patrol. It serves as the headquarters for Civil Air Patrol units in the state of Oregon. Oregon Wing headquarters is located in Eugene, Oregon. The wing itself oversees nearly 500 cadet and adult members serving with 13 squadrons or flights across the state of Oregon.
The Nevada Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Nevada. Nevada Wing headquarters are located in Reno, Nevada. The Nevada Wing consists of over 700 cadet and adult members at locations across the state of Nevada.
The Wyoming Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Wyoming. Wyoming Wing headquarters are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Wyoming Wing consists of over 250 cadet and adult members at over 9 locations across the state of Wyoming.
The Rhode Island Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Wing headquarters are located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Wing consists of over 140 cadet and adult members operating from 4 locations across the state of Rhode Island.
The Utah Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Utah. Utah Wing headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Wing consists of over 750 cadet and adult members in 14 locations across the state of Utah.
The Nebraska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Nebraska. Nebraska Wing headquarters are located in Fremont, Nebraska. The Nebraska Wing consists of over 450 cadet and adult members at over 17 locations across the state of Nebraska.
