CAP's emergency services includes air search and rescue, disaster relief and civil defense. Its members fly 80 percent of the search and rescue mission hours directed by the Air Force Rescue and Coordination Center at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

In 1993, aircrew members flew more than 34,600 hours in support of federally funded programs to include search and rescue, disaster relief and counter drug operations. Civil Air Patrol was credited with saving 120 lives in 1993.

In Nov. 14, 1985, agreed to assist the U.S. Customs Service in its counter drug efforts by flying air reconnaissance missions along U.S. boundaries. In early 1989, similar agreements were made with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Forest Service. CAP participation only involves reconnaissance, transportation and communications support. Members do not carry firearms, make arrests or give chase to suspected drug traffickers.