Civil Air Patrol Welcomes New Member, Rep. Hanna

Utica, NY (WIBX) - The Civil Air Patrol welcomed a new member into its ranks. Congressman Richard Hanna, a trained pilot, was officially inducted as a member of CAP's Congressional Squadron earlier this week.

According to the release, CAP is the search-and-rescue, cadet-mentoring and aerospace education auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, with more than 61,000 members nationwide. As a member of Congress, Hanna's military grade will be that of, Lieutenant Colonel, and he's now authorized to fly in CAP aircraft and participate in all CAP activities.

Officials say members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to nearly 27,000 young people participating in CAP cadet programs. The World Peace Prize was awarded to the group in 2011.

To learn more about CAP, visit, http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/.

Photo Caption: Presenting Hanna with a CAP flight suit is New York Wing government relations advisor Lt. Col. Gerry Marketos, MD, of Rome, and handing him membership credentials is New York Wing Vice Commander Lt. Col. Tom Carello of Syracuse.