Semper Vigilans
Always Vigilant

"It's an accident this building was ever finished." That's what LtCol Jean Tremblay said looking at the completed 60 x 100 ft. gleaming white home of the Marco Island CAP Squadron with its large attractive sign, bright blue awnings, and beautiful waving American flag...   <click here to read the whole story>

Pearl Harbor propelled the United States into World War II, but many Americans saw the AXIS threat long before Dec. 7, 1941. Among them were nearly 150,000 men and women involved in aviation.

As early as 1938, they began to argue for the creation of an organization to harness their aviation resources to aid the nation in the event America entered the conflict. Their efforts, led by writer-aviator Gill Robb Wilson and supported by Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, resulted in the creation of the Civil Air Patrol on Dec. 1, 1941 - one week before Pearl Harbor.

First organized under the Office of Civilian Defense, headed by former New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, Civil Air Patrol members became the "Minutemen" of World War II, volunteering their time, resources, and talents to defend the nation's borders and fill the gaps as men and resources were being mobilized to fight abroad.

The War Department, especially the Army Air Forces, recognized the important roles performed by CAP. In April 1943, CAP was reassigned from the Office of Civilian Defense to the War Department and placed under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces.

"After the German surrender, one of Hitler's high-ranking naval officers was asked why the Nazi U-boats had been withdrawn from U.S. coastal waters early in 1943. The answer was exploded in a curt guttural: 'It was because of those damned little red and yellow planes!'"

-- From Robert E. Neprud's Flying Minute Men

These Flying Minutemen, all volunteers, performed valiantly during the war. They performed many missions including coastal patrol to search for enemy submarines, search and rescue missions throughout the United States, cargo and courier flights to transfer critical materials and personnel, and even towing targets so Army Air Corps personnel could practice air-to-air gunnery techniques - a very risky mission with new gunners.

In all, these volunteers amassed a stunning record - flying more than half-a-million hours, sinking two enemy submarines, and saving hundreds of crash victims.

A thankful nation recognized the vital role CAP played during the war and understood the organization could continue to provide invaluable help to both local and national agencies.

On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 476 that incorporated CAP as a benevolent, nonprofit organization.

And on May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 which permanently established CAP as the Auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. This law also gave the Secretary of the Air Force the authority to provide financial and material assistance to the organization.

Since 1981 Marco Island has enjoyed the benefits of the all-volunteer efforts of the Marco Island Civil Air Patrol Squadron. As an auxiliary of the United States Air Force the Squadron’s mission is threefold: (1) emergency services, (2) aerospace education and (3) cadet programs.

From modest beginnings the Squadron has grown to a group of 52 dedicated women and men who donate their time, energy, and financial support to the community. Several years ago, two of the Squadron’s most dedicated members, Majors Clay Reid and Jim Matthews, sacrificed their lives in the course of a rescue operation.

The Squadron flies a Cessna 172 aircraft based at the Marco Island Executive Airport. Although tucked away in a quiet section of southwest Florida, the Marco Island Squadron operates more flying hours than any other Squadron in the State of Florida, year after year - and probably more than any other Squadron in the United States. The daily Flight Patrol keeps a vigilant eye out for boaters in distress, and the squadron cooperates with elements of government, including U.S. Customs and the U.S. Coast Guard. In addition, the Squadron provides services to Collier County under an Agreement between the County and CAP.

Almost routinely the Squadron helps find and save from 25 to 30 boaters in distress each year, as well as engaging in other services to the community, such as hurricane damage assessment and a monthly video taped beach assessment flight. The Squadron members, supported by generous donations from individuals in the community finance their operations. Since CAP provides approximately 85% of all search-and-rescue services for the Air Force in the United States, there is a benefit to the taxpayers. Every penny donated to the Squadron is used for operations. There are no paid employees, and no benefits or other monetary rewards for members.

The Marco Island Composite Squadron is headquartered at the Marco Island Executive Airport, and can be reached at 239 389-1273. . Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. and the Squadron welcomes new members.

  Last updated on Wednesday, April 09, 2008

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