History of Civil Air Patrol![]() After the war, a thankful nation understood that Civil Air Patrol could continue providing valuable services to both local and national agencies. On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 476 incorporating Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization. On May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 permanently establishing Civil Air Patrol as the auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. Three primary mission areas were set forth at that time: aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services. Today, Civil Air Patrol provides search and rescue mission coordinators, search aircraft, ground teams, personnel on alert status, and an extensive communications network to Air Force assigned missions. The Civil Air Patrol is the AFRCC prime air resource for the continental United States. |