The Civil Air Patrol, the official USAF auxiliary, has embarked on pilot programs at two Air Force bases—Randolph AFB, Tex., and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio—to provide additional assistance to the Air Force. Called Volunteer Support of the Air Force, the program will enable CAP volunteers to use their expertise to aid airmen and their families. “The member of the Civil Air Patrol, all patriotic American citizens, are proud to have this opportunity to help the brave men and women defending our country and the loved ones they leave behind when they deploy, but before now, a structure did not exist to match volunteer capabilities with base needs,” said interim CAP Commander Brig. Gen. Amy Courter in a CAP release.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
