Squadrons
Civil Air Patrol operates through squadrons, which are the basic units by which CAP achieves its goals. There are three types of squadrons: cadet squadrons, composite squadrons, and senior squadrons. A squadron must have at least 15 members, including 3 senior members. If the membership goes below 15, the squadron may be re-designated as a flight.[1][2][3]
Creation of a Squadron
Creating a new squadron requires a minimum of 3 senior members and sufficient interest from potential members. Initially, the wing commander appoints a squadron commander. The squadron commander then assigns senior members to leadership roles which must be official CAP members.[4][5]
Once approved by Wing Headquarters, the squadron is assigned a number and fully recognized as a unit capable of participating in CAP missions.
Squadron Types
- Cadet squadrons: Primarily composed of cadets with at least 3 senior members. Their focus is on youth leadership, character development, and aerospace education.
- Composite squadrons: A mix of cadets and senior members, these squadrons handle both the Cadet Program and Emergency Services missions, often involving search-and-rescue operations.
- Senior squadrons: Exclusively made up of senior members, these squadrons focus on Emergency Services, aerospace education, and other non-cadet-related missions.[1]
Squadron Flights
Squadrons may organize into smaller units called flights, typically designated by the phonetic alphabet, which can range from 2 to 3 per squadron, depending on size and structure. Flights are typically organized based on members’ experience levels.[6][7]
- Alpha Flight: Composed of more experienced members who often take on leadership and training responsibilities.
- Bravo Flight: Generally consists of newer members or cadets, focusing on basic training and skill development.
- Charlie/Tango Flight: Sometimes designated for prospective cadets or recruits, particularly those up to the rank of C/AB (Cadet Airman Basic) or new C/Amn (Cadet Airman), providing an introduction to the CAP environment. Some squadrons use “Charlie” to follow the A-B-C structure, while others use “Tango” to emphasize training.
Not all squadrons utilize flights, and their internal structure may vary depending on size and operational goals.