The Muskogee Nighthawks, squadron 024, Oklahoma wing of the Civil Air Patrol, have the distinction of being the oldest squadron in the state. Founded in 1946, the squadron celebrates its 62nd year and it is still going strong. The Nighthawks are a “composite” squadron, meaning cadets and seniors participate in both training and live rescue missions throughout the Southwest Region.

The men, women, and cadets of the Civil Air Patrol come from all walks of life — white collar, blue collar, professional, working class or retired, all wanting to make a difference in their communities. The CAP is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members.

CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members serve as mentors to the nearly 22,000 young people participating in CAP cadet programs.

The Civil Air Patrol celebrates its 60th anniversary as being the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. For more information, go to www.gocivilairpatrol.com, or just attend a meeting of the Muskogee Nighthawks at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Muskogee Davis Airfield.