Nearly 80 years ago, civilian pilots were using the skies above Broome County to transport war materials between production plants. The Civil Air Patrol was formed in 1941, with the Binghamton chapter founded two years later. 

The Civil Air Patrol celebrated their 80th anniversary on December 1st at the Greater Binghamton Airport. The Civil Air Patrol was founded by a group of aviation enthusiasts and private pilots who wanted to volunteer their time and abilities to protect the coastlines during World War II. The Binghamton chapter was headquartered in Hillcrest. 

On Wednesday, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar declared December 1st "Civil Air Patrol Day" in Broome County.