Civil Air Patrol is marking its 84th anniversary on December 1, 2025. Founded in 1941, the organization has a long history of volunteer service as the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Its core missions are Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs.
The North Carolina Wing, which includes 2,434 members, is participating in this national celebration. Over the years, Civil Air Patrol’s activities have ranged from coastal patrols during World War II to disaster relief and STEM education today. The group continues to operate under its mission statement: “Volunteers Serving America’s Communities, Saving Lives, and Shaping Futures.”
In 2025, the North Carolina Wing reported several key operations. These included a search and rescue mission near the Blue Ridge Parkway that used an aircraft equipped with FLIR technology to find a missing hiker; recovery of a Personal Locator Beacon in Lee County by coordinated air and ground teams; and a beacon silencing operation near Wilmington that resulted in recognition from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC). These missions were conducted in partnership with North Carolina Emergency Management and AFRCC.
The cadet program remains central to the wing’s activities. In 2025, cadets received numerous awards: 186 Wright Brothers Awards, 61 Brigadier Billy Mitchell Awards, nine General Ira Eaker Awards, and four General Carl A. Spatz Awards. Capt Haleigh Wooters described her experience: “As a previous cadet and current squadron commander, I am thrilled to join the North Carolina Wing in celebrating its successes and Civil Air Patrol’s 84th Birthday. I am proud to be part of the legacy of volunteers who serve their communities, states and nation.”
Adult member programs also saw growth in training and membership development during the year. Membership increased by 430 new cadets and 294 new adult members. Members completed various levels of education and training awards; for example, Level 1 (141 completions), Level 2 (45), Level 3 (22), Level 4 (10), and Level 5 (9). The Chuck Yeager Aerospace Education Award was given to 87 members.
Specialty track achievements included enrollment by 331 members with technician (100), senior (35), and master ratings (24). Twenty-four out of thirty-one squadrons earned Quality Cadet Unit Awards—twenty did so consecutively. The summer encampment drew participation from 376 cadets and sixty-three adults.
Lt Col Daniel Guadalupe commented on this milestone: “As a proud member of the Civil Air Patrol since 1982 and a recipient of the General Carl A. Spatz Award, I am honored to join the North Carolina Wing in celebrating CAP’s 84th anniversary. For more than eight decades, this organization has empowered generations to lead, serve and innovate. Our dedication to excellence in Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs is as strong today as when I first put on the uniform. This milestone is a powerful reminder that volunteer service is enduring – and together, we will continue building the future while honoring the legacy that brought us here.”
Looking ahead to its eighty-fifth year, North Carolina Wing plans to adopt advanced technologies for search-and-rescue work; expand cyber education programs; empower youth for citizenship roles; and continue supporting local communities through volunteerism.
More information about North Carolina Wing’s programs can be found at ncwg.cap.gov.
