Civil Air Patrol’s Saline County Composite Squadron is currently recruiting both adult and student members and will be hosting an open house at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 28, at the Marshall Municipal Airport.

According to the organization, as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP’s vigilant citizen volunteers are there to search for and find the lost; provide comfort in times of disaster; and work to keep the homeland safe. Its 60,000 members selflessly devote their time, energy and expertise toward the well-being of their communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.

CAP senior membership is open to adults 18 years or older. Members are provided with extensive training and education in more than 20 different fields. Whatever your skill or talent, there’s a place for you in CAP. Cadet membership is open to young people 12 to 18 years old. Cadets progress through a 16-step program of aviation and aerospace activities as well as learning invaluable skills in leadership and teamwork. Not only that, but cadets have fun – in the first year alone, a cadet can:
– Go flying;
– Earn rank and awards;
– Learn color guard;
– Launch Rockets; and
– Go to an encampment and more.

Today, CAP handles 90 percent of inland search-and-rescue missions, with approximately 55 lives saved per year. Members are generally the first on the scene transmitting satellite digital images of the damage within seconds around the world and providing disaster relief and emergency services following natural and manmade disasters, including such phenomena as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Texas and Oklahoma wildfires, tornadoes in the south and central U.S., and North Dakota flash flooding, as well as humanitarian missions along the U.S. and Mexican border. In addition, CAP members are dedicated to counter-drug reconnaissance and to teaching a new generation about aerospace and its impact on our future. And the cadet programs ensure our youth receive some of the finest leadership training the nation has to offer.

You can find more information about membership in CAP- including answers to frequently asked questions- at www.gocivilairpatrol.com.