Once upon a time!
Isn’t that the way all good stories begin? The history of Phoenix is steeped in the traditions of the Civil Air Patrol, which began on the 1st of December 1941, just days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

CAP’s magnificent online museum tells the vivid story of the national organization.

To learn the story of the wonderful members who have worked so diligently to preserve our history, Click Here.

The short version of the story of Phoenix is that the Manhattan Senior Squadron came to a timely end and it seemed that CAP’s presence would disappear from the Island of Manhattan. However, from the membership there arose some determined leaders who wanted CAP’s presence in Manhattan to continue and they wanted to offer the cadet program to the local community. They enlisted the assistance of an outstanding cadet and together they created a composite squadron and called it Phoenix – arising from the ashes of the former unit. This all took place in years 1994 to 1996. So successful was this unit in search and rescue that their motto became, “When You Care Enough to Send the Best”… send Phoenix SAR Team”!

The home of this squadron has always been the superb 69th Regiment Armory on lower Lexington Avenue. Designed by the architects Hunt & Hunt and designated a National Historic Landmark, it was completed in 1906, and is a highly specialized structure built to serve as a training and marshaling center for the National Guard. Phoenix is fortunate to have the use of its huge Drill Hall with its 130 feet high ceiling and the fascinating Mural Room, which visually depicts highlights of the history of the Regiment. To learn more about it, Click Here.