The Combat Air Patrol ("CAP") is a form of Viper squadron used by Battlestars. Vipers assigned to CAP duties remain in space as a form of protection for Colonial vessels, and can confront enemy craft immediately when detected, as the Alert Vipers may be out of range. Following the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, CAP duties were crucial for the survival of the Fleet, and additional Vipers were assigned to protect Colonial One.
