Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol

Prior to the creation of the Civil Air Patrol, the state of Florida created its own group of paramilitary civilian aviators to patrol its coastline. Organized in 1941, the First Air Squadron was mustered in on May 28, 1941. Organized under the Florida Defense Force, the First Air Squadron was made up of civilian volunteers, and all aircraft were privately owned. Members were required to either have a private pilot's license or have served in the military at least one year to join. The First Air Squadron patrolled the Florida coast for U-boats and assisted in search and rescue missions.[5]

The Civil Air Patrol was created on December 1, 1941.[6] In Florida, the First Air Squadron was reorganized as a Civil Air Patrol unit. By early January 1942, the Florida wing was organized into seven different operation groups, each with a commander and staff.[7]

Florida Wing, Civil Air Patrol will continue to build the exemplary organization of citizen volunteers performing missions for the communities of Florida... Train for Response, Succeed in our Response, Excel in our Service.

To actively and professionally support CAP’s missions, our country and state by providing a capable and trained volunteer force and motivating our membership to be strong leaders and better citizens.[8]

• Strengthen our organization through positive and professional interaction.
• Maximize Florida Wing, Civil Air Patrol support to our local, state, federal, and tribal partners, communities, and members.
• Sustain a capable, responsive, and accountable organization.

Civil Air Patrol has three primary missions: aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services.[9]

Florida Wing is divided into six groups across the state, with each squadron or flight being assigned to a group based on its geographical location. The Wing comprises 31 Cadet Squadrons, 7 Senior Squadrons, 36 Composite Squadrons (composed of both Cadets and Senior Members), and the Support and Legislative Squadrons.[14]

Florida Wing Group and County Boundaries

A group of Florida Civil Air Patrol cadets visit the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB.

Members of the 89th MacDill Aviation Cadet Squadron sort through boxes of donated BDUs they received at MacDill AFB.

SSgt Khaalis shows cadets from the Clearwater Composite Squadron how the Charleston AFB Nondestructive Inspection shop uses x-rays to detect cracks, delaminations, voids, processing defects and heat damage on aircraft structures and parts.

Cody Powell, 13-year-old son of Maj Jeff Powell, USAFR, the 919th Maintenance Operations Flight commander, helps a member of Eglin's Civil Air Patrol learn to fly a radio controlled aircraft.

Members of the Civil Air Patrol from the Clearwater Composite Squadron prepare for a flight out of MacDill AFB on a C-17 Globemaster III.

Lt Col John Clark, CAP, Commander of Civil Air Patrol Group 6, presents Capt Scott Morris, USAFR, 93rd Fighter Squadron pilot, with a certificate of appreciation at Homestead Air Reserve Base.

Cadets and senior members of the Homestead Air Reserve Base Composite Sqdn during a Young Eagles Flight event at Homestead General Aviation Airport.

Members of Civil Air Patrol who are employed within the boundaries of Florida, by a company which employs fifteen or more people, are guaranteed by law up to fifteen days per year of leave for Civil Air Patrol responsibilities. Employers are forbidden from requiring Civil Air Patrol members to use vacation, annual, compensatory, or similar leave time for the period during which the member was on Civil Air Patrol leave. Employers are also forbidden from penalizing or firing employees for taking Civil Air Patrol leave. These employee rights are codified under Florida Statutes § 252.55.[16]

• Florida Air National Guard
• Florida Naval Militia
• Florida State Guard

• Reilly, Thomas. Florida's Flying Minute Men: The Civil Air Patrol, 1941-1943. The Florida Historical Quarterly.

• Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol Official Website