Missions

The Wright Brothers Composite Squadron 284 supports the three missions of the Civil Air Patrol: Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services.  

Cadet Programs:

Civil Air Patrol's cadet program is designed to inspire the country's youth to become leaders and good citizens through their interest in aerospace. Civil Air Patrol works to develop youth through a self-paced study of the art of leadership. Cadets learn how to lead through formal classroom instruction and a laboratory of hands-on experience where they apply leadership principles to real-world challenges within the cadet program. Through a graduated curriculum, cadets first learn to follow, then to lead small groups, and ultimately experience command and executive-level leadership, earning cadet grade and honors along the way. Topics include how to think critically, communicate effectively, make decisions, motivate and manage conflict. Self-discipline and teamwork are emphasized throughout.

Aerospace Education:

The aerospace industry is interesting and dynamic! Civil Air Patrol's aerospace education program provides CAP members with information about aviation and space activities. There are two specific programs, one aimed for CAP members and one for the general public, including teachers and school administrators.

The internal aerospace education program is designed for members to follow a defined plan of participation and progression. It provides members with a general knowledge of aerospace issues and their impact on our society. Updates on current events and news coverage of aerospace events are relayed to members during meetings and events. Activities of the internal aerospace education program may also include guest lecturers that are specialists in a particular area of the aerospace field, visits to aerospace installations, participation in applied aerospace science activities, and practical experience with aircraft and gliders.

Emergency Services:

Search and Rescue

This is perhaps CAP's best-known activity, at least in the public eye. It entails air and ground search and rescue, local disaster relief, homeland security, passive counter-drug activity, as well as cooperation with and assistance to other emergency services agencies. CAP members fly 80 percent of all the hours flown on search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC). The AFRCC coordinates search and rescue efforts within the inland search and rescue region (48 contiguous states).

Disaster Relief

Often CAP members also help out in missions which may involve airlifting blood or donor organs, medication and civil or relief officials to disaster areas. Disaster relief missions may also involve air surveillance of disaster areas, as well as the air evacuation of the stranded, sick or injured. Rescue work and aid are provided during floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other emergencies.

Communications

The Civil Air Patrol operates one of the largest communications systems in the country with more than 6,000 fixed land stations and more than 10,000 land and airmobile radios operated by over 20,000 trained communicators. This system consists of voice and automatic digital communications capabilities. Hundreds of individual networks are linked together to form a highly flexible nationwide traffic handling system. Because the system doesn't rely on telephone lines, it is highly survivable in the event of natural or man-made disasters.