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Emergency Services

Since its inception, CAP has been focused on serving it's nation during times of emergency.  Today, these activities include search and rescue of both missing aircraft and persons, assistance during natural disasters, damage assessment, and humanitarian missions.

CAP members were involved in emergencies such as Hurricane Hugo, the Missouri floods of 1995, and the search for John F. Kennedy, Jr. 

Locally, Michigan Wing members have searched for a number of missing aircraft in Northern Michigan, assisted with the rescue efforts for Northwest flight 255, and most recently, the search for Mr. Manferd Engler, whose aircraft crashed in Lake St. Claire in April 1999.

Overall, CAP flies more than 85% of all inland search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley   AFB, Virginia.

In addition to these efforts, CAP also supports the Drug Enforcement Agency and the US Customs Service by providing airborne surveying and reconnaissance flights.  In 1999, these flights helped authorities seize nearly $20 million worth of illegal drugs in Michigan alone.