MISSIONS

The Civil Air Patrol began its history in December of 1941. Newspaper accounts of CAP activities in New Mexico date back to 1943, detailing commendations for the rapid development of cadet flight training programs and general excellence in establishing support for the war effort. CAP crews handled a variety of domestic flight missions during the war, including courier service, target towing, and patrol along the nation's coastlines and southern border.

President Truman signed the law incorporating the organization in its present form in 1946. Since that time, it has continued nationwide with air search and rescue missions, along with educational and training programs for adolescents. Its cadet training includes flight familiarization, and, in recent years, courses in Space Education.

During the many years CAP concentrated on support of Search and Rescue operations throughout the country, its services resulted in many lives saved and stranded or lost citizens rescued during emergency situations. For the past quarter century, missions serving other federal and state agencies and The Red Cross have also become part of the CAP agenda.

The various squadrons in New Mexico, besides continuing the state's history of cadet education, have served in support of activities for the Red Cross, The Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Customs, DEA, and various state law enforcement agencies.

Squadron II, New Mexico's largest, traditionally crews the larger portion of these activities. During the past ten years, working alongside other New Mexico squadrons, our members have been responsible for a number of "saves" in search and rescue operations. Our pilots and observers participated in support flight roles during forest fires in Gila National Forest in 1999 and the Cerro Grande fire in northern New Mexico in 2000. Members also flew many missions in Operation Hay Drop, spotting stranded livestock for feed drops throughout the State during the winter of 1998.

In 2001 and 2002, the squadron flew more than a hundred mission sorties, participating in searches for missing aircraft and persons lost while hunting or hiking in New Mexico wilderness areas.  In 2003, well over a hundred missions included support for Customs and DEA flight training, Emergency transmitter location, and participation in October in joint search operations with the Arizona Wing for a downed aircraft. As national security priorities continue to adjust during the coming year, the squadron will participate very actively in CAP's newly designed roles supporting Homeland Security.