Civil Air Patrol (CAP) units from southcentral Pennsylvania participated in a search-and-rescue exercise at Blue Marsh National Recreation Area in Leesport on May 13.

The Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304 of Lititz, Reading Composite Squadron 811, and Lebanon Composite Squadron 307 came together to train in emergency services in order to practice search-and-rescue activities for downed aircraft and missing persons. The exercise, also known as SAREX, included CAP support aircraft from Capital City Airport. Cadets and senior members from each of the squadrons worked together in teams to complete tasks to locate and identify clues in a real-life simulation of a downed aircraft with a missing person who parachuted from an airplane prior to the plane's crashing. Teams had to utilize orienteering skills while traversing natural terrain, implement search techniques, perform mission radio communication protocols, and extract the missing person using what they have learned through their CAP training.

Search-and-rescue exercises allow cadets and seniors to identify any areas in which they need improvement in order to effectively and efficiently perform mission objectives in the event that they are called to serve the community or nation during national emergences, natural disasters, downed aircraft scenarios, or missing person searches.

This training is one of many activities that members of the Jesse Jones Squadron 304 perform to be prepared to serve their community. Service to one's community, state, and nation is a primary part of the cadet programs within the CAP.

This activity was primarily organized by the Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304 commander, Maj. Jerome Broad, who has many years of emergency service mission experience.

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

The Civil Air Patrol is the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary. For more information, visit http://www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or http://www.CAP.news. Details about the Jesse Jones Squadron 304 are available at http://www.JesseJones.cap.gov and by searching for "Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304" on Facebook.