FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAXWELL AFB, Ala. — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced today that it has renewed its aviation tire agreement with Civil Air Patrol, the all-volunteer civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

Goodyear, the world leader in aviation tires, will supply tires to each of CAP’s 52 state units, which include the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico units. CAP operates a fleet of  550 single-engine aircraft, strategically located throughout the nation.

CAP members use the planes for search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief and humanitarian missions.  Goodyear agreed to continue its participation for a second year.

“Civil Air Patrol members contribute so much time and energy to support their communities,” said Maj. Gen. Dwight Wheless, CAP national commander. “It’s encouraging to know Goodyear recognizes and supports the work of CAP members throughout the nation.”

Jon Rich, Goodyear president for the North American Tire region, said the U.S.-based company’s participation “is appropriate in helping the Civil Air Patrol in homeland security and other important missions.  We’ve always recognized the importance in giving back to the communities in which we operate.”

“In 2004, Goodyear was one of the first corporations to step up and support CAP as a corporate ‘partner,’” said Al Allenback, CAP executive director. “It says a lot that the company provides its highest quality product, the Flight Custom III, for use on our aircraft.”

Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit organization with some 60,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 100 lives per year. CAP volunteers perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 25,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 60 years.

Goodyear is the world’s largest tire company.  Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, the company manufactures tires, engineered rubber products and chemicals in more than 80 facilities in 28 countries.  Goodyear employs more than 80,000 people worldwide.

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