Arkansas Wing

The Arkansas Wing is interested in starting new cadet squadrons throughout Arkansas and are currently focusing on towns with populations greater than 10,000. In particular we would like to form units in Arkadelphia, Benton, Blytheville, Cabot, Camden, Conway, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Harrison, Magnolia, Paragould, Pine Bluff, Searcy, and Springdale.

Cadet Squadrons are primarily comprised of young adults, ages 12-18, interested in aviation and emergency services. A minimum of three adults and five cadets are needed to start a flight. Flights are "start-up" units that are attached to existing squadrons for administrative purposes until they gain enough members (at least three adults and 12 cadets) to become an independent squadron.

If you are not already a member of CAP, you should first start attending the cadet meetings at the nearest squadron to determine if the program matches your interests. If it does, contact the Arkansas Wing Commander and express an interest in starting a unit in your home town. In general you will be asked to join CAP and to continue attending cadet meetings at your nearest squadron while you complete initial training, begin to learn the details of running a cadet unit, and start recruiting enough members to start a unit in your town.

Starting a unit is not something to be undertaken lightly as there will be a significant ongoing time commitment. Most cadet squadrons meet three to four times a month and often have at least one event on a weekend every month or two. Squadron commanders will be required to attend additional meetings throughout the year. For squadrons interested in getting involved in search and rescue and other emergency services missions, additional training will be required that may take some time to complete.

It will be critical for you to develop a close relationship with the middle school/junior high and high schools in your town as their students are your potential cadets. At a minimum you will want to be able to place recruiting posters and flyers on campus and preferably you would be given permission to make presentations about CAP in the classroom or in special assemblies.

Some CAP units have been successfully developed as part of the official curriculum in middle schools (While targeted at schools near military bases, the program could be adapted for other cities). For more information on this alternative visit the CAP School Program website. More typically you will need to find a "home" for the squadron. Ideally you will find an adequate site at your local airport that offers meeting space for at least 30 cadets, an office area, and a small storage area for equipment.

For additional advice on starting a unit, consult CAP Pamphlet 4 (How to Start A CAP Unit). This publication is somewhat out of date and it is recommended that you refer to current CAP regulations should you have any questions.

WHO WE ARE

The Civil Air Patrol is the official civilian volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Our purposes are:

1. Encourage and aid citizens of the United States in contributing their efforts, services, and resources in developing aviation and in maintaining air supremacy.

2. Encourage and develop by example the voluntary contribution of private citizens to the public welfare.

3. To provide aviation education and training especially to its senior and cadet members.

4. To encourage and foster civil aviation in local communities.

5. To provide an organization of private citizens with adequate facilities to assist in meeting local and national emergencies.

6. To assist the Department of the Air Force in fulfilling its non-combat programs and missions.