Crystal, Minnesota based North Hennepin Squadron is one of 1,700 Civil Air Patrol units in the United States of America. Congressionally chartered as the United States Air Force Auxiliary, the 60,000 volunteer members have access to a fleet of over 500 aircraft and 950 ground vehicles in order to carry out the Civil Air Patrol's 4 primary noncombatant missions:
- Search and Rescue / Disaster Reli
ef is what we are best known for. When called upon by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, Civil Air Patrol members search for emergency locator transmitters and/or for missing aircraft. These Emergency Services missions are conducted by our air crews, grounds teams and combinations thereof. Civil Air Patrol has an extensive radio communications capability for use during missions and administrative purposes.
- Cadet Training Program designed to educate young men and women in the ideals of leadership and service through Air Force style training, discipline and education. Similar to ROTC, Civil Air Patrol cadet officers "run" the cadet program under the supervision of specified senior officers. Qualified cadets also participate in actual or training missions; in fact, they form the bulk of our ground teams.
- Aerospace Education is repeatedly provided to both Civil Air Patrol members and the general public.
- Counter Drug support is provided to state and federal law enforcement agencies. This important mission primarily entails the transport of equipment, evidence or law enforcement officers. The Posse Comitatus Act was designed to limit direct active use the military by civil law enforcement officers to enforce laws. It prohibits direct participation by military personnel in civilian searches, seizures, arrests and other similar activities unless expressly authorized by law. As part of the United States Air Force, Civil Air Patrol Members are governed by this act when involved in an official mission. Civil Air Patrol today remains the only organization whose members are official, non-combatant members of the United States Air Force. If you are interested in continuing this proud tradition, and if this type of activity and volunteer service appeals to you, we would like to invite you to our weekly meeting held each Tuesday for youth and adults. Meetings are held at our Crystal Airport based Squadron Headquarters.
