The National Capital Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the district of Washington, D.C. The National Capital Wing consists of over 500 cadet and adult members at over eight locations across the District of Columbia; the City of Alexandria, Arlington County and Fairfax County in Northern Virginia; and Prince George's County, MD.[1]
The National Capital Wing performs the three missions of the Civil Air Patrol: providing emergency services; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public.[2]
The Civil Air Patrol provides emergency services, which includes performing search and rescue and disaster relief missions; as well as assisting in humanitarian aid assignments. The CAP also provides Air Force support through conducting light transport, communications support, and low-altitude route surveys. The Civil Air Patrol can also offer support to counter-drug missions.[3]
The Civil Air Patrol offers a cadet program for youth aged 12 to 21, which includes aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership.[4]
The Civil Air Patrol offers aerospace education for CAP members and the general public, including providing training to the members of CAP, and offering workshops for youth throughout the nation through schools and public aviation events.[5]
As of 2019, the National Capital Wing had 4 single-engine aircraft, 10 vehicles, 5 VHF/FM repeaters, 77 VHF/FM stations, and 12 HF stations. [6]
| Designation | Squadron Name | Location | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC026 | Arlington Composite Squadron | Arlington, VA | ||
| DC033 | Andrews Composite Squadron | Joint Base Andrews | ||
| DC045 | Mount Vernon Composite Squadron | Fort Belvoir, VA | ||
| DC051 | Tuskegee Composite Squadron | Washington, D.C. | Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling | |
| DC053 | Fairfax Composite Squadron | Fairfax, VA | ||
| DC060 | Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron | Alexandria, VA | ||
| DC130 | Howard Town Cadet Squadron | Washington, D.C. |