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New Smyrna Beach 378'th CTS
The United States Air Force Auxiliary
The Civil Air Patrol was founded on December 1, 1941 to counter the threat
of enemy submarines operating off the east coast. In the year
prior to that time, a group of foresighted and patriotic aviation
enthusiasts saw the gathering clouds of World War II.
They proposed to Army Air Force chief of staff, General H. H. "Hap" Arnold,
an all civilian airborne coastal patrol network to safeguard the shores of the
United States.
Thoughout World War II, CAP pilots spotted 173 enemy submarines, sinking two of
them. In the course of their activities, 26 aircrew members were killed and
90 planes were lost.
After the war, President Harry Truman made the Civil Air Patrol the official
Air Force Auxiliary and gave us our congressionally mandated missions:
Cadet Programs, Emergency Services, and Aerospace Education.
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Since its inception, New Smyrna Beach Composite Squadron has been heavily involved in
the three missions of the Civil Air Patrol and has been a leader in the state of
Florida.
Since our unit is a composite squadron, it is made up of two distinct,
yet united, membership groups: Seniors and Cadets.
The senior-side of the unit is composed entirely of
adults who volunteer their time to the Emergency Services and Disaster Relief
mission of CAP. In addition, the senior side supports the Aerospace Edcucaton,
often with the help of cadet-side members.
The cadet-side is composed of cadets, who range in
age from 12 to 21 years of age, and a dedicated staff
of senior members who provide guidance and oversight to accomplish the
Cadet Programs mission of CAP.
Our Motto:
Semper Vigilans
(Always Vigilant)
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