Minuteman Homepage

admin@matsuminuteman.com

	Where the Youth of the Mat-Su Valley Put Service Before Self The Mat-Su Minuteman Cadet Squadron is the first "Cadet Squadron" in the Alaska Wing, Civil Air Patrol. As such, the Squadron is comprised primarily of Cadet Members, i.e., Young Men and Women ages 12-21; along with a small cadre of Officers (Senior Members) to meet supervisory, administrative, and training requirements. The Squadron's Headquarters is located at the Alcantra National Guard Armory in Wasilla, Alaska. Civil Air Patrol The "Civil Air Patrol [("CAP")] was founded in December 1941, one week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, by more than 150,000 citizens who were concerned about the defense of America's coastline. Under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces, CAP pilots flew more than one-half million hours, were credited with sinking two enemy submarines and rescued hundreds of crash survivors during World War II. On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman established CAP as a federally chartered benevolent civilian corporation, and Congress passed Public Law 557[,] on May 26, 1948, making CAP the auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. CAP was[, and still is,] charged with three primary missions - [cadet programs, aerospace education] and emergency services." Civil Air Patrol Fact Sheet at 1. Cadet Programs "The mission of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is to provide the youth of our nation with a quality program that[: (1)] enhances their leadership skills through an interest in aviation[; and (2)] simultaneously provide[s] service to the United States Air Force and the local community." CAPR 52-16 at 2. Aerospace Education The "Civil Air Patrol was incorporated on July 1, 1946[,] by Public Law 476. This law states that among the organization's purposes are[: (1)] 'To provide an organization to encourage and aid American citizens in contributing their efforts, services, and resources in developing aviation and in maintaining air supremacy'[; and (2)] 'To provide aviation education and training especially to its senior and cadet members.' Today, promoting aerospace education to our members and in America's schools remains one of the primary missions of CAP. As a primary mission of CAP, aerospace education is important to all CAP members, especially those in leadership positions. First, and foremost, this includes the commander at each level of CAP, as well as the Region Deputy Chief of Staff for Aerospace (DCS/AE), the wing Director of Aerospace Education (DAE), the group, squadron, and flight Aerospace Education Officers (AEO). These people are the respective leaders for their regions, wings, groups, squadrons, and flights." CAPP 15 at 1 (emphasis added). Emergency Services The Mat-Su Minuteman Cadet Squadron provides trained personnel and resources to conduct search and rescue (SAR), disaster relief (DR), and other public assistance missions as requested. Because many missions are in support of persons in distress, they are all conducted competently, expeditiously, and in a professional manner. CAPR 60-3 at 2. Meeting Time and Location The Mat-Su Minuteman Cadet Squadron meets on Tuesday nights from 7:00 to 9:30 at the Hageland Aviation Hangar. For directions, reference Map 1 and Map 2.