Combat Air Patrol Official

: To maintain a 24-hour presence, multiple flights of fighters operate in shifts. A single station often requires a four-fighter flight to be continuously manned.

: Missions are often coordinated by airborne controllers, such as those on AWACS aircraft, or ground-based control centers that provide situational awareness and authorize intercepts. Combat Air Patrol

: A broader mission set where the CAP station is a foundational component for learning other operations like escorting and close air support. : To maintain a 24-hour presence, multiple flights