Established just days before the beginning of World War II, Civil Air Patrol has grown to a nation-wide organization of over 50,000 volunteers and is the Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. San Angelo Composite Squadron, a local unit of the CAP, has served the Concho Valley since 1955. Youth who desire to honor and serve their country can do so through the cadet program, which instills discipline, organizational skills, physical fitness, character development, and leadership skills, and promotes careers in aviation, space, science, technology, and the military. Cadets can become ground team members, assisting with search and rescue missions. Adult members train for airborne and ground team search and rescue, disaster relief, wildfire spotting, and non-combatant support activities for the military. Civil Air Patrol has been recognized by the US Air Force, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the State of Texas for outstanding contributions in emergency management, including the hurricane assessment and support.. Civil Air Patrol aircrews fly thousands of hours each year, involving search and rescue, cadet flight orientation and low-level route surveys.