Senior members and cadets from the Civil Air Patrol Jesse Jones Squadron 304 participated in emergency service training on Dec. 2 at the Lancaster County Central Park in Lancaster. Organized by Maj. Jerome "Pepper" Broad, the training was intended to prepare participants for search and rescue operations. It consisted of orienteering, navigation and various search techniques for locating missing persons in a wooded environment.

The attendees advanced their training to gain search and rescue qualifications and gain experience in terrain found throughout Lancaster County. Search and rescue is one of the missions tasked to the Civil Air Patrol by the United States Air Force when called to serve.

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.