Squadron 147
About CAP
Since Civil Air Patrol’s formation during the earliest days of World War II, this vigilant organization of citizen Airmen has been committed to service to America. Founded on Dec. 1, 1941, to mobilize the nation's civilian aviation resources for national defense service, CAP has evolved into a premier public service organization that still carries out emergency service missions when needed — in the air and on the ground.
As a Total Force partner and Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol is there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep the homeland safe. Its 60,000 members selflessly devote their time, energy and expertise toward the well-being of their communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace/STEM education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.
Civil Air Patrol’s missions for America are many, and today’s adults and cadets perform their duties with the same vigilance as its founding members — preserving CAP’s 75-year legacy of service while maintaining its commitment to nearly 1,500 communities nationwide.
Mission Statement
Supporting America's communities with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development and promotion of air, space and cyber power.
Vision Statement
Civil Air Patrol, America's Air Force auxiliary, building the nation's finest force of citizen volunteers serving America.
Core Values
Integrity, Volunteerism, Excellence and Respect.
Merced County Composite Squadron 147
Our squadron is located at 3515 Hardstand Ave, Atwater, CA (lobby floor of the Castle Airport tower). We are a composite squadron, welcoming youth between the ages of 12-18 to join our cadet program and adults 18+ to join our senior member program. Our meeting times are the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 pm for seniors, and each Monday of the month at 7 pm for cadets.
Our squadron offers many opportunities to engage with training in the Emergency Services function of the Civil Air Patrol, and we host a number of different training opportunities and activities for cadets. For more information on joining our squadron, please see the "Join" page.
We'd love to have you aboard!
About our Namesake
The airfield which would become Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California, was opened on September 29, 1941 as the Army Air Corps Basic Flying School. Its mission was as a pilot and aircrew training facility operated by the United States Army Air Force. In 1943 it was renamed Merced Army Airfield and kept that name until it was taken over by the Strategic Air Command (SAC). The facility was renamed Castle Air Force Base on January 13, 1948 as part of the establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate military service. Castle is named for Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle, who died on Dec. 24, 1944 flying his 30th bombing mission.
Castle Air Force Base was named for Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle, whose craft suffered a Nazi attack over Belgium. He remained alone at the controls of a flaming
B-17 in order to enable his crew to escape