California Wing of 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.[1] California Wing consists of over 3,000 cadet and adult members at over 77 locations across the state of California.[2]
Mission
California Wing performs the three missions of Civil Air Patrol: providing emergency services; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public.[3]
Emergency services
California Wing provides emergency services, including search and rescue missions, disaster relief missions, providing Air Force support, and assisting in counter-drug missions.[4]
In March 2020, members of California Wing partnered with the American Red Cross to serve meals to children in the Los Angeles area while schools remained closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
Cadet programs
Youth aged 12–18 may enter a CAP cadet program. At the age of 18, they may become a senior member or stay as a cadet. Cadets that decide to stay as a cadet may continue until they become 21. The cadet program provides a 16 step program covering aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership.[6] California Wing offers an annual summer encampment for cadets to further their skills.[7]
Aerospace education
Civil Air Patrol provides aerospace education for both volunteer CAP members and the general public. The internal education program for CAP members educates senior and cadet members; the external program for the general public is provided through workshops offered through the nation's education system.[8]
Organization
A California CAP cadet salutes the American flag.California Wing Civil Air Patrol honor guard presents the colors during the 2012 Memorial Day observance at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument in Placerville, California.Local California Wing CAP cadets visit the USS Midway in San Diego during one of their educational trips.Civil Air Patrol cadets raise the Colors during an Armed Force Day celebration at the Aerospace Museum of California.California CAP members pose for a photo during a visit to the USS Midway.Two members of the Beach Cities Cadet Squadron working a public event.
California Wing is divided into eight groups across the state, with each squadron being assigned as a component of a group based on its geographical location.[9]
Legal protection
Members of Civil Air Patrol who are employed within the borders of California are guaranteed ten days of unpaid leave from their employer when responding to emergencies as a member of Civil Air Patrol, under California Labor Code § 1503.[11]
^"Contact Us". California Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
^"2013 Statistics" (PDF). Capmembers.com. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
^"Civil Air Patrol". Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
^"Emergency Services". California Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
^Zinshteyn, Mikhail (19 March 2020). "Amid COVID-19 crisis, closed schools converted to grab & go food centers across Los Angeles are saviors to children and adults alike, 'bring a little more normalcy'". LA School Report. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
^"Cadet Programs". California Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
^"2015 CAWG Encampment". Official Website of the Cadet Training Group. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
^"Aerospace Education". California Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
^ a b"All Units". California Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
^"Civil Air Patrol Unit Directory" (PDF). Gocivilairpatrol.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 August 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
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