This video is especially meaningful to me. I served with CAP in California Wing between 1969-1976. Many of the "real" CAP members in this video include my "O" flight pilot at 5:10 and my squadron commander, MAJ Valenzuela, at 8:36. The USAF's movie making unit was at Norton AFB in those days and they used us to make CAP training films. I was featured in one produced in 1972 for visual scanning techniques. The terrain depicted in this video was my old stomping grounds as a CAP ground team member and later as an trainee observer - Cajon Pass, the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains, Mount Baldy, Cucamonga Peak, Banning Pass. The airport featured is the Banning Airport. When people call me a hero for participating in SAR in those days, I tell them I am not a hero but that I served with a whole bunch of folks who were.

oh does this bring back memories Florida wing had a SAR mission in south Florida a 172 when missing between key west and tampa we found three previously unknown wrecks two where drug planes the last one was a missing 150 from the year before the plane we where looking for last time I look still has never been found the thinking was he when down in the gulf got a find ribbon for one of them only one of two real SAR missions i was on before going in the Marines

Always makes me proud seeing stuff like this, reminders of what CAP's mission is, proud to be a member.

Even though this is an old documentary, it makes me want to join the Civil Air Patrol (as an adult member) even more...🇺🇲

This is an awesome historic video of the early days!

I'm a cadet in a CAP squadron and I've already been on a SAR mission

This was apparently produced in the early 70's, though some of the actions of the actors were far fetched (i.e. IC waking up with his shirt already on, etc.), the concept was spot-on for that timeframe. In earlier years, privately owned aircraft were allowed to be used for SAR. Now, Corporate Aircraft perform the inland SAR. Would like to see an updated version, using today's technology and our red/white/blue Corporate planes. As a former PAWG IC, the realism with plotting, etc., is true.

Great video. Thanks to all CAP members and what you do!

I believe I was in the CAP back in 1972, Miami Fla. Good Times!!!

good old General Frank Savage himself. 12 O'Clock High still airs on a network called MeTV, so does a series called Combat!

woo! Go California Wing (CAWG) -- C/CMSgt. Wesley CAWG

Pretty cool vintage air patrol video materials -

I love joking with my Squadron by saying Civil Air Patrol is the militarized version of the American Red Cross. haha

@airboyd been a long-time subscriber and I am really curious as to where you find your videos. I especially like the historical videos. Keep up the good work.

@TalksWithDirt Thanks for that. I had no idea

I can see it now- "Hey, everyone! Just all go to a single quarter-grid at the same altitude and look at the ground while you zip around the sky at 90 Kts." LOL I hope no one comes to me and says, "Hey, you're one of those IC/Mission Commander guys, right? I saw this video from the 70's..."

The cheese that drips off this videos is nuts. Must have been shot by Jack Webb.

Robert Lansing! Star of 12 O'Clock High and the original Star Trek episode Assignment: Earth.

Great Video, Thank's Boyd

Remembers early PSAs shown during Sky King in syndication.

The sqdrn here in KTUS told me that they used it to survey for pot in peoples back yards. And that it was used to survey for traffic near the border. And that SAR was a mission almist never done anymore. They told me that up front because they had a few folks leave once they found out. This was in 2003.

i find it funny how people worry about an aircraft with a camera when say if u live in new york a picture of face is being taking 200 times a day

im in cap squadron 85

@forestryprof Look up Civil Air Patrol Archer system, they take pride in their new Cessna 182's equipped with these new systems. FLIR's too. I went to re-join in 2004 and was told this up front. At that time they were experiencing a large number of sr members dropping out because they did not want to support missions being flown over American cities with these systems. I was asked if I had such problems after answering that I did not support such missions I was told the CAP was no longer for me.

people actually believe we do that? ಠ_ಠ

@forestryprof I wish I was wrong. I wish I did belong in the 'tin hat squad'. The sad thing is we as a society are creating the very crazy systems that 20 years ago only a paranoid person would think up let alone bring into reality. This unfortunate process is corrupting us all and taking an organization that did important work and turns it against the very society it used to serve.

Remember your oath of office is to the Constitution. Not your boss. Without a warrant issued by a judge upon sworn affidavit, you should not be using that camera on the property of Americans. That's why I don't belong in the CAP anymore.