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Civil Air Patrol has been chartered by Congress with three missions:

Aerospace Education

CAP defines aerospace education (AE) as "that branch of general education concerned with communicating knowledge, skills, and attitudes about aerospace activities and the total impact of air and space vehicles upon society." The aerospace education programs are designed to promote an understanding and appreciation for the importance of aviation and space exploration to our society and national security.

Cadet Programs

Throughout the cadet program, emphasis is placed on individualized study, preparation, instruction, and attainment. Each phase of the cadet program emphasizes five areas of achievement: leadership laboratory, aerospace education, physical fitness, moral leadership, and squadron activities. These five areas of achievement are implemented through the use of trained senior cadets and senior members who work collectively and individually with each cadet desiring and needing assistance. The program is primarily oriented toward activities held in individual squadrons. Some of these activities include aircraft orientation flights, model airplane building, drill teams, model rocketry, search and rescue, and survival training.

Emergency Services

CAP's talents have augmented the Air Force in search and rescue (SAR) and disaster relief/disaster preparedness since CAP's formation in 1941. The emergency services' primary mission objective is to save lives and relieve human suffering. To be effective, the lives of CAP personnel performing the mission must be safeguarded. CAP demands professionalism in organization, training, and mission execution to accomplish this service. Only qualified members are allowed to participate in actual missions. The emergency services mission includes search and rescue and disaster relief operations.