The Civil Air Patrol has announced recent promotions and awards. These accolades were presented in August at regular meetings of Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304 at Lancaster Airport.

Gerhard A. "Gary" Heim of Willow Street was promoted to the rank of technical sergeant by Maj. Gregg M. Rubright, commander of the Pennsylvania Wing's Group 2. Heim, who was a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force, has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since March 2020. He is the logistics and transportation officer for the local squadron.

Civil Air Patrol cadets also received recognition, including four promotions. These honorees and their new ranks are as follows: cadet commander Jurnee Acosta, cadet captain; Collin Stritch, cadet senior master sergeant; John Torres, cadet airman first class; and Brady Dougherty, cadet airman.

The Cadet Recruiting Ribbon was given to Cadet Airman First Class Slater Shannon. Red Service Ribbons recognizing two years of service went to Jurnee Acosta, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Judah Acosta, Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Stritch, Cadet Master Sgt. Ryan McNally, and Cadet Tech. Sgt. Grace Weinheimer.

Fourteen cadets were given certificates representing their first of five authorized orientation flights in CAP-powered corporate aircraft. These cadets are McNally, Shannon, Dougherty, Torres, Cadet Senior Airman Trevor Jones, Cadet Senior Airman Mary Weinheimer, Cadet Airman First Class Aaron Keohane, Cadet Airman Jereco Acosta, Cadet Airman Randall Carr, Cadet Airman Dean Garber, Cadet Airman Gretchen Garber, Cadet Airman Conner Heim, Cadet Airman Lucas Horst, and Cadet Airman Dhruvan Sundaram.

Civil Air Patrol is the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary. For more details, visit http://www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or http://www.CAP.news.