Our speakers for August 9 - Major Bob Phillips and Captain Dan Couvier

Major Bob Phillips and Captain Dan Cuvier gave a wonderful presentation about the Civil Air Patrol (“CAP”).  Approximately seventy years ago on December 1, 1941, Fiorello LaGuardia, Director of the Office of Civilian Defense, signed the order that created CAP.  A few years later, CAP formally became an official auxiliary to the United States Air Force and remains so today.

CAP is a non-profit organization consisting entirely of volunteers.  It has three main programs:  a Cadet Program, an Aerospace Education Program, and a Search and Rescue Program. 

The Cadet Program is for children ages 12 to 20.  It is designed to introduce young people to aviation.  Many of the cadets go on to enroll in a military academy.

CAP has been involved in many well known search and rescue / disaster relief operations.  After the attacks on the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001, CAP planes were the first planes allowed to fly.  They flew over ground zero taking many pictures.  CAP also assisted in the search for Steve Fossett, Frank Sinatra’s mother, and Dean Martin’s son. 

CAP often partners with other organizations including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, NASA, Homeland Security, and local law enforcement.  One of the reasons for this is that it only costs the taxpayer approximately $100 per hour to utilize a CAP plane as opposed to using a private plane which can cost $10,000 per hour.

The local CAP Squadron is located at the Camarillo airport.  Everyone is welcome to volunteer with CAP, you do not need to be a pilot.  They hold meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. 

Major Phillips and Captain Cuvier, we thank you for a great presentation and for your wonderful work through CAP.

Deborah A. Perkins