Emergency Services

EMERGENCY SERVICES – Charleston Cadet Squadron had a rich history of service in the Emergency Services Mission. Charleston Cadet Squadron members have been recognized by the West Virginia Senate for service above and beyond for its support of an extended search mission in Maryland, finding the target the same day Charleston joined the search. Charleston Cadet Squadron has been named West Virginia Wing’s Outstanding Ground Team twice in recent years and is always looking for dedicated members interested in volunteering in the Emergency Services Mission. Now, as Charleston Composite Squadron, we  look to expanding our role in Emergency Services even further.

Search and Rescue
Perhaps best known for its search-and-rescue efforts, CAP performs more than 85 percent of all federal inland search-and-rescue missions, air and ground, directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fl. Outside the continental United States, CAP supports the Joint Rescue Coordination Centers in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Just how effective are the CAP missions? Nearly 100 people are saved each year by CAP members! CAP members complete a comprehensive training program which takes members out into the field to learn and practice field survival skills, navigation, mapping, first aid and much more. The only way to save lives is to be proficient at what we do.

Disaster Relief
Another important service CAP performs is disaster-relief operations. CAP provides air and ground transportation and an extensive communications network. Volunteer members fly disaster-relief officials to remote locations and provide manpower and leadership to local, state and national disaster-relief organizations. CAP has formal agreements with many government and humanitarian relief agencies including the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Humanitarian Services
CAP flies humanitarian missions-usually in support of the Red Cross-transporting time-sensitive medical materials including blood and human tissue, in situations where other means of transportation are not available.

Air Force Support
It's hardly surprising that CAP performs several missions in direct support of the U.S. Air Force. Specifically, CAP conducts light transport, communications support, and low-altitude route surveys. Joint U.S. Air Force and CAP search-and-rescue exercises provide realistic training for missions. 

Counterdrug
CAP joined the "war on drugs" in 1986 when, pursuant to congressional authorization, CAP signed an agreement with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Customs Service offering CAP resources to help stem the flow of drugs into and within the United States..

West Virginia Support
Charleston Composite Squadron’s professionally trained members participate regularly in West Virginia Joint Agency Search and Rescue Training exercises planned and hosted by the West Virginia Office of Emergency Management. These training events are conducted at locations all around the State. This type of joint training provides responders from different agencies with the opportunity to work together toward goals that will save lives.