Search and Rescue (SAR) remains an important service provided by CAP members. Civil Air Patrol is arguably best known for it, and still flies about 95 percent of inland SAR missions, as directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

Outside of the continental United States, CAP directly supports the Joint Rescue Coordination Centers in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. CAP is credited with saving an average of 100 lives per year.

CAP is particularly active in disaster relief operations, especially in hurricane-prone areas such as Florida. CAP aircrews and ground personnel provide transportation for cargo and officials. Squadrons and Wings often donate manpower and leadership to local, state, and federal disaster relief organizations during times of need. In late 2004, several hurricanes hit the southeastern half of the United States, particularly Florida. CAP was instrumental in providing help to areas that were hit.

The Civil Air Patrol conducts Humanitarian Service missions, usually in support of the Red Cross. CAP aircrews transport time-sensitive medical materials, such as blood and human tissue, when other means of transportation (such as ambulances) are not practical or possible. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, all general aviation was grounded. The first plane to fly over the destroyed World Trade Center was a CAP aircraft flying blood.

CAP performs several missions that are not combat-related in support of the United States Air Force. Specifically, this includes damage assessment, radiological monitoring, transportation of officials, communications support and low-altitude route surveys.

In 1986, Congress authorized CAP to assist government and law enforcement agencies in the fight to eliminate illicit drug use, production and sale in the US and its territories. CAP now provides reconnaissance, communications and transportation for counter drug missions.