The threat from Axis submarines prowling the East Coast of the United States was scary and very real. Onshore shelling terrorized civilians, but the real low-hanging fruit for the submarines was on the seas. By as early as August 1942, Axis subs had caused the loss of thousands of lives, mainly merchant mariners, and sunk more than 600 ships totaling 3 million tons. Winston Churchill was quoted as saying, “The only thing that really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.”
The Surprising Missions of the Civil Air Patrol
Key Takeaways:
- The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) originated during WWII, using private aircraft to defend U.S. coasts from U-boats, and has evolved into the world's largest general aviation fleet.
- Today, the CAP supports the U.S. Air Force with diverse missions (e.g., training targets, drone support) and assists local communities with disaster relief and search-and-rescue operations.
- The volunteer-driven organization offers pilots opportunities to fly missions, receive free instruction (with some costs), and provides extensive youth development through cadet programs and K-12 STEM education, influencing future military and aviation careers.
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