What We Do 

Malmstrom Composite Squadron is a unit consisting of both cadet and senior members. Our cadet programs have always been highly active and at the front of our activities. Named a Squadron of Distinction for having the paramount program in a five state region that includes Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. The cadets learn valuable leadership, communication, and life lessons to help them grow into adult members of the surrounding communities. Many of our current cadet and senior members have ties to Malmstrom AFB and we continue to work closely with them. We are actively looking for dedicated and energetic members of both cadet and senior age to help fulfill the missions laid out in front of us.

Civil Air Patrol is the longtime auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a valued member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine aircraft and 1,944 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). It performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 82 lives annually. CAP’s 60,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief, and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. Operating as a nonprofit organization, CAP also plays a leading role in STEM/aerospace education, and its members serve as mentors to about 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.

The Squadrons recruit and train members to accomplish the mission and the Wing manages the mission.

Civil Air Patrol’s Congressional charter is outlined in Title 36, U.S.C., which defines the purposes of the corporation. In plain language, CAP’s purposes are:

► To encourage citizens to support aviation and be an example through volunteerism;

► To provide aviation training to its members;

► To promote the development of civil aviation in local communities;

► To rally its volunteers to respond to local and national emergencies; and

► To assist the Air Force with its non-combat programs and missions.

CAP Core Values

Civil Air Patrol’s core values establish the standards that our members are expected to conduct themselves. They are:

Integrity – Volunteer Service – Excellence – Respect

CAP Mission & Vision Statement

Volunteers serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.

CAP Motto

Semper Vigilans (always vigilant)

Non-Profit Volunteers

Civil Air Patrol is a 501(c)3 non profit organization. Funding for our organizations comes from many sources, these funds are usually earmarked for one specific area of our program. As CAP members are all volunteers, even up to our National Commander/CEO, funds, whether government sourced or locally fundraised, go directly to making our program better and never to paying CAP members. CAP commands at wing and above do have paid employees to handle administrative needs of the program; however, these are not considered 'members of CAP' and do not wear CAP or USAF uniforms. Additionally, locally raised funds are kept assigned to the unit(s) that the donator specifies and are never moved without the specific permission of the unit which controls those funds. 

Federal Funding

The US Air Force funds CAP operations to support missions critical to Air Force goals. Our major equipment including: Aircraft, Radios, and Vehicles are procured using these funds. Emergency Services (ES) operations, specifically Search and Rescue, are funded by the US Air Force, while some ES operations are funded by clients such as FEMA or State jurisdictions.

Local Funding

Squadrons (local level) and wings (state level) are generally locally funded; some through State funds but mostly through donations. These funds are used by squadrons for facilities, recruiting materials, supporting the cadet program, scholarships, advertising, cadet uniform items, and minor equipment which makes our operations possible including: search and rescue gear and fuel for operations not specifically funded for ES missions. 

How can you help your local unit?

The best way you can help your local unit is to join the program and donate your time to making our operations possible; however, units also require money to support our operations and make our efforts more successful. Donations can range from equipment and fuel cards to cash donations and anything else in between. 

Check donations can be made directly to your local unit, contact them to set up when/where to meet. This gives you the ability to dictate what part of CAP you wish to support, we only promise to specify using donations in one of our 3 main funding categories, Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, or Aerospace Education.