CAP is best known for it's Emergency Services Mission. CAP performs 95% of all inland Search and Rescue (SAR) missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley Air Force base in Virginia. CAP Aircrews perform visual and electronic searches, while Ground Teams home in on the search objective with Direction Finding equipment. (DF'ers)

CAP Ground Teams are often the first responders to a crash site and are capable of providing first aid to survivors. More than 100 lives every year are saved by Civil Air Patrol SAR efforts.

Our Cadets get involved in ES as well. While one has to be at least 18 to fly on missions, the eager cadet can get started in ES right away by learning Ground Team operations or becoming a mission radio operator.

When disaster strikes, CAP is there to provide relief. Volunteers give support in the form of manpower and leadership, including air/ground transportation, as well as an extensive communications network to local, state and federal disaster relief agencies. CAP has agreements with the American Red Cross and FEMA. After the attacks of September 11th, CAP aircraft were flying airborne reconnaisance sorties for Emergency Management officials. When the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart on re-entry in Feb 2003, CAP members were there to assist in the debris recovery efforts. Most recently, CAP members from across the nation have put in countless hours in support of disaster relief operations in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

Here at home, the members of the Fox Cities composite Squadron train frequently to be a valuable resource to the community. The unit flies and maintains a Cessna 172 for missions requiring air support. Upon completion of the Squadron's new Outagamie Regional Airport facility in 2006, the unit will be poised to run missions right from the headquarters building.