The CAP is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force.  It is a nationwide organization of over 60,000 unpaid volunteers, serving our Great Nation in three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services (including search and rescue), aerospace education, and cadet programs for teenage youth.  We serve by our very vital CORE values:  Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect.  
To learn more about CAP, our values, training opportunities, history, and various programs, go to the  National Civil Air Patrol website.

The Birchwood Composite Squadron is part of the Alaska Wing of the CAP.  We are based about 25 miles north of downtown Anchorage at the Birchwood airport (BCV) in Chugiak, Alaska. .  

You do not have to be a pilot or even desire to get in an aircraft to be a member of CAP. There are plenty of essential non-flying functions accomplished by CAP volunteers.  If you like to fly but are not a pilot, we always need observers to help on search missions.  If you are learning to fly, CAP is a great place to socialize with other pilots, learn more about flying aircraft, and most of all to learn and practice aviation SAFETY.  

On a typical year, the Alaska Wing flies about 150 actual missions.  There are years where we will fly more Search and Rescue missions than the entire lower 48 CAP combined!  The Alaska Wing, as a general rule, receives credit for saving 45% to 55% of the lives saved by CAP Nationwide.  We are a very active and important Search & Rescue organization in Alaska.

If you are interested in learning more about the Civil Air Patrol and how you might serve our nation, serve your community, and help contribute to our overall mission - please come out and attend one of our meetings. We would love to meet you and to have the opportunity to answer any questions that you might have.  Come out and see us soon - Meeting Information

Return to Home page

  bcvcap@mtaonline.net