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About Us

The CIVIL AIR PATROL was founded in December 1941, one week before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Growing quickly to a membership of more than 150,000 citizens, and under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Force, CAP pilots flew more than 500,000 hours for surveillance of our coast lines. During World War II they were credited with sinking two enemy submarines and rescuing hundreds of crash survivors. In July of 1946, President Harry Truman established CAP as a federally chartered benevolent civilian corporation. CAP was charged with three primary missions — aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services.

 

Today, CAP is classified as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation, operating as an all-volunteer civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force when performing services for the federal government. It includes 8 geographic regions consisting of 52 wings and has nearly 1500 squadrons with more than 60,000 volunteer cadet and adult members.

 

CAP operates one of the largest fleets (over 550) of single-engine aircraft in the world and flies approximately 112,000 hours annually. CAP also has a fleet of more than 900 emergency service vehicles for training and mission support. CAP missions include flying Search and Rescue and Reconnaissance to support National Disaster Relief efforts such as Hurricanes Rita and Ike, and most recently the Gulf Oil Spill. CAP also conducts 90% of the US inland search and rescue searches, and in 2010 were credited with 110 lives saved. In addition, CAP supports Aerospace Education and also Cadet and AF-ROTC training by providing numerous Orientation Flights annually.

 

The TEXAS WING and every unit involved is charged with the responsibilities of maintaining the National Civil Air Patrol program directives, mission goals and charter bylaws while providing direction, support and a smorgasbord of activities for the over 2,500 members throughout this great state. As the largest state within the contiguous United States, geographically the logistical challenges that the Texas Wing, the Groups and the Squadron Levels are faced with poses a never ending battle between time, distance and resources. To meet these dynamic needs requires the total dedication and coordination from the individual squadron members to the highest level of the Texas Wing Staff.

 

S.A.B.R.E. Squadron
Serve And Be Ready for Emergencies
Based in the West Houston area

S.A.B.R.E. Squadron was founded in 2003 at West Houston Airport by Lt Col Brian Childs (call sign "Jumper") with a small group of 8 dedicated aviation professionals. S.A.B.R.E. then grew to over 60 members; large enough for some members to split off and form the Hobby Composite Squadron which now meets at Hobby Airport in Houston. Today, S.A.B.R.E. maintains a membership of around 30 flying and non-flying professionals involved with both flight and ground operations duties, plus administrative and operations support.


S.A.B.R.E. Squadron's agenda is active and full for our 30+ members. We supported airborne photography missions following the Tax Day floods of 2016, Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and many other photo missions around the state.  S.A.B.R.E. Squadron also provided intercept training support for the U.S. Air Force and Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Patrol section in preparation for Super Bowl LI in 2017. Our squadron also supported surveillance missions following the Columbia disaster in 2003, Hurricanes Rita in 2005 and Ike in 2008, and we also conduct a variety of missions in the numerous statewide Texas Wing Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX) held throughout the year.

 

S.A.B.R.E. Squadron is assigned a CAP Cessna 182 support our flying missions. We annually fly numerous "O Flight" orientation training flights for CAP Cadets and Air Force ROTC students. We also support the FAA with ELT searches when requested. In addition, we participate in state Wing training SAREX missions, flying sorties and supporting ground team and mission base staff training.

 

New members, both Pilots and non-Pilots, are welcome. There are opportunities to participate in many differing roles, including flight crews, ground teams, operations and administrative support.

 

Whatever the mission, S.A.B.R.E. Stands Ready to Respond.

 

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