JAMESTOWN COMPOSITE SQUADRON 402
PERFORMING MISSIONS FOR AMERICA

Welcome to the Civil Air Patrol - Jamestown Composite Squadron 402 Website

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian 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 (by air and ground) 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.

Membership in the organization consists of cadets ranging from 12 to just under 21 years of age, and senior members 18 years of age and up. These two groups each have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of pursuits; the cadet program contributes to the development of the former group with a structured syllabus and an organization based upon United States Air Force ranks and pay grades, while the older members serve as instructors, supervisors, and operators. All members wear uniforms while performing their duties.

Cadets learn valuable leadership skills that prepare them for their future prior to entering the work force or the military. In addition, if a cadet decides that he/she wants to join the United States Air Force, they have the opportunity to enlist as an E3 (airman first class) rather than an E1 (airman basic) through their membership in the Civil Air Patrol if they earn cadet officer status. Please visit our cadets page to learn more about the Civil Air Patrol cadet program.

Adults benefit by becoming members of the Civil Air Patrol through volunteer work. The CAP opperate 3 main missions: Cadet Programs , Aerospace Education, and Emergency Services. You will gain training through CAP to perform these missions successfully. If you are interested in becoming a CAP member and would like to learn more information about this role, please visit our Senior Members page.

Nationwide, the CAP is a major operator of single-engine general aviation aircraft, used in the execution of its various missions, including orientation flights for cadets and the provision of significant emergency services capabilities. Because of these extensive flying opportunities, many CAP members become licensed pilots.

The hierarchical and military auxiliary organization is headed by the National Headquarters (with authority over the national organization) followed by eight regional commands and 52 wings (each of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico). Each wing supervises the individual groups and squadrons that comprise the basic operational unit of the organization.

Please visit our about page to learn more about the Civil Air Patrol and its functions. On the about page you can read more information regarding the history of the Civil Air Patrol and their missions - Aerospace Education, Emergency Services, and Cadet Programs.

We would like to cordially invite you and/or your child to join the Jamestown CAP Composite Squadron. We currently meet every Thursday night at the Chautauqua County Regional Airport 3164 Airport Road in Jamestown, NY 14701 from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. If you would like to preview what the local Jamestown Civil Air Patrol is about, please click here to set up a time to visit our squadron and embark on an exciting adventure!