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, utilizing private aircraft to counter Axis U-boats, and now serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
- Today, CAP conducts a wide array of missions, including supporting the Air Force with training exercises, providing disaster relief, and performing search and rescue operations for communities.
- As the world's largest general aviation fleet, CAP is largely volunteer-driven and significantly contributes to youth development through cadet programs and promotes STEM education in schools.
- Pilots can volunteer with CAP, gaining flight experience and free instruction on missions, though a commitment beyond merely inexpensive flying is required.
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