Revision Signed By The Air Force Chief Of Staff

Gen Mark A. Welsh announced today the official recognition of the Civil Air Patrol as the fourth member of the Air Force Total Force team.

The official recognition reflects CAP’s key and continuing contributions to the Air Force mission working with the Active, Guard and Reserve components to provide the Air Force with a full spectrum of distinct and complementary capabilities.

CAP members fly more than 100,000 flight hours per year in support of this mission, providing emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs for youth 12-20 years old, and will now be able to proudly call themselves Airmen while supporting the Air Force mission.

Maj. Gen. Joe Vazquez (pictured) announced the recognition in a video posted on YouTube. "A revision signed by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force enacted this significant change," Gen. Vasquez said. "Air Force senior leadership has long considered the Civil Air Patrol to be part of the Air Force family, relying on us to support Homeland Security missions. While being named part of the total force does not mean much in the way we do business, it is a strong recognition of who we are and what we do from the highest levels of the Air Force.

"I congratulate the 57,000 volunteers now called 'Airmen of the United States Air Force Auxiliary for achieving this important national recognition of their outstanding service to our nation."

(Image from YouTube announcement)

FMI: www.gocivilairpatrol.com