Cadets from the Lancaster Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304 participated in the Pennsylvania Wing Cadet Competition at Fort Indiantown Gap on the first weekend of February. Competitors included Allegheny County Composite Squadron 607 and Delaware County Composite Squadron 1007 of Pennsylvania.

Squadron 304's cadets secured second place by demonstrating their skills and knowledge in various challenges. The Lancaster cadets also won the trophy for Best Uniform Prep Inspections. Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Lucyann Draeger earned the Fastest Female Fleet award for a mile run by a female.

Cadet Master Sgt. Bruce Gentry captained Squadron 304's team, which also included Cadet Tech. Sgt. Colby Smith, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jereco Acosta, Cadet Senior Airman Thaddeus Lippincott, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Webster and Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Lucyann Draeger. They were trained by 1st Lt. Donny Reisch, a senior member of the squadron.

The squadron will advance to the Northeast Region Cadet Competition, where it will compete with other top teams from other states. The winners from the regional competition will be celebrated at the national level.

Jesse Jones Squadron 304 meets at 7 p.m. each Monday except holidays in the Venture Jets hangar, which is located at the Lancaster Airport near the intersection of Lititz Pike and Millport Road. Visitors are welcome.

The Civil Air Patrol is the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. To learn more about the local squadron, visit https://jessejones.cap.gov or search for "Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304" on Facebook.