During its first in-person meeting in 16 months, held on July 12, the Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304 of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) promoted seven cadets and handed out awards. The squadron meets each Monday at 7 p.m. in the Venture Jets Hangar at Lancaster Airport near the intersection of Lititz Pike and Millport Road.

Squadron commander Maj. Jerome E. "Pepper" Broad promoted seven cadets and awarded program ribbons to them. Broad also recognized the squadron's cadet commander, Cadet First Lt. Jurnee M. Acosta, for completing an important step in her work toward earning the Amelia Earhart Award and promotion to captain.

Aaron Keohane and Slater Shannon were each promoted to cadet airman first class and presented with the Hap Arnold Achievement Ribbon, to be worn on their dress blue uniform. This was their second promotion.

Five cadets, who are relatively new to the program, received the Curry Achievement Ribbon and their first promotion, to cadet airman. They are Jereco Acosta, Dean Garber, Gretchen Garber, Lucas Horst and Dhruvan Sundaram.

CAP cadets are active in the emergency services and aerospace education missions assigned to them by the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, they participate in an annual weeklong encampment on a military installation, receive orientation flights in CAP corporate aircraft and are eligible for scholarships. Recipients of the General Billy Mitchell Award who enlist in the Air Force receive an initial rank of E-3.

Cadet membership is limited to individuals ages 12 to 18. For more information, email Senior Master Sgt. Glenn B. Knight at gknight@cap.gov.

The Civil Air Patrol is the all-volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Visit http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com or http://www.cap.news to learn more.