The Civil Air Patrol was created on December 1, 1941 by Administrative Order 9, issued by Fiorello H. LaGuardia in his capacity as Director of the Office of Civilian Defense with Major General John F. Curry as the first National Commander. During World War II, CAP was seen as a way to use America's civilian aviation resources to aid the war effort instead of grounding them. The organization assumed many missions including anti submarine warfare, border patrols, and courier services. CAP pilots sighted 173 enemy U-boats and sank two.
After the end of World War II, CAP became the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and its incorporating charter declared that it would never again be involved in direct combat activities, but would be of a benevolent nature. CAP changed command several times, to Continental Air Command in 1959, Headquarters Command, USAF in 1968, and Education Command, Air University in 1976. Since its incorporation charter, CAP has maintained its relationship with the USAF, and has continued its three congressionally-mandated missions.
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