(a) This subpart explains how to process certain administrative claims:

(1) Against the United States for property damage, personal injury, or death, arising out of Air Force assigned noncombat missions performed by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), as well as certain other Air Force authorized missions performed by the CAP in support of the Federal Government.

(2) In favor of the United States for damage to U.S. Government property caused by CAP members or third parties.

(b) Unless stated in this subpart, such claims will follow procedures outlined in other subparts of this part for the substantive law applicable to the particular claim. For example, a CAP claim adjudicated under the Military Claims Act will follow procedures in this subpart as well as subpart E of this part.

(a) Civil Air Patrol (CAP). A federally chartered, non-profit corporation which was designated by Congress in 1948 as a volunteer civilian auxiliary of the Air Force.

(b) Air Force noncombat mission. Although not defined in any statute, an Air Force noncombat mission is any mission for which the Air Force is tasked, by statute, regulation, or higher authority, which does not involve actual combat, combat operations or combat training. The Air Force, in lieu of using Air Force resources, can use the services of the Civil Air Patrol to fulfill these type missions. When performing an Air Force noncombat mission, the Civil Air Patrol is deemed to be an instrumentality of the United States. In order for a mission to be a noncombat mission of the Air Force under this part, it must either:

(1) Have a special Air Force mission order assigned, and, the Air Force must exercise operational control over the mission.

(2) Involve a peacetime mission the Air Force is tasked to perform by higher authority which requires the expenditure of Air Force resources to accomplish, and the Air Force specifically approves the mission as a noncombat mission, and assigns the mission to the Civil Air Patrol to perform.

(c) CAP members. CAP members are private citizens who volunteer their time, services, and resources to accomplish CAP objectives and purposes. The two primary categories of members are:

(1) Cadets. Youths, 13 years (or having satisfactorily completed the sixth grade) through 17 years of age, who meet such prerequisites as the CAP corporation may establish from time to time. Cadet status may be retained until age 21.

(2) Seniors. Adults, 18 years of age or older (there is no maximum age), who meet such prerequisites as the CAP corporation may establish from time to time, and who have not retained cadet status.

(d) Liaison officers. Active duty Air Force officers assigned to liaison duty at the national, regional, and wing (state) levels of CAP.

CAP members, 18 years of age or older, whose personal injury or death claim is subject to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, are improper claimants. FECA is their exclusive remedy.

A claim is payable if all of the following are present:

(a) It is for property damage, personal injury, or death.

(b) It is proximately caused by a CAP member.

(c) It arises from an Air Force noncombat mission performed by the CAP, or arises from an authorized mission performed by the CAP for which specific coverage under this subpart is granted by AFLOA/JACC.

(d) It is otherwise payable because it meets the provisions of an appropriate subpart of this part.

A claim is not payable if it:

(a) Is for use or depreciation of privately owned property, operated by CAP or its members on an Air Force noncombat mission, or other specified Air Force authorized mission.

(b) Is for personal services or expenses incurred by CAP or its members while engaged in an Air Force noncombat mission, or other specified Air Force authorized mission.

(c) Arises out of a CAP incident based solely on government ownership of property on loan to CAP.

(d) Arises from a CAP activity not performed as a noncombat mission of the Air Force or as a specified Air Force authorized mission. These claims are sent to HQ CAP-USAF/JA for referral to CAP's private insurer, with a copy of the transmittal letter to AFLOA/JACC.