Hanscom home to Civil Air Patrol squadron, wing Published March 9, 2016 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Members of the Hanscom community ages 12 and older can learn more about aviation and careers in aviation, space or in the military by attending one of the Civil Air Patrol's monthly meetings held here. The Hanscom Composite Squadron is part of the Massachusetts Wing Civil Air Patrol program and consists of a cadet program and senior member program. "The cadet program is a year-round program where cadets are able to fly, learn to lead, hike, camp, get in shape and push themselves to new limits," said Civil Air Patrol Capt. Diane Zamot, Hanscom Composite Squadron aerospace education officer. Cadet members age 12 to 21 meet every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. and senior members meet the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Both programs meet in Building 1121 on base. The Massachusetts Wing consists of 13 squadrons and an all-volunteer force of 300 senior members and 300 cadets from across Massachusetts. The Hanscom-based squadron has nearly 100 members. "As commander of the Hanscom Composite Squadron, I take great pride in the missions we perform for our nation, as well as for our local community," said Civil Air Patrol Lt. Col. Stephen Hood, highlighting the squadron's role in search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian services, Air Force support and counterdrug missions they perform. "Our volunteer members are truly the best of the best and our cadets are an absolute inspiration. It is an honor to be a part of this great team." The cadet program includes leadership and character development, cadet activities, physical fitness, aerospace education and emergency services. Cadets are provided the opportunity to fly in CAP aircraft and in gliders. "Civil Air Patrol has been an amazing experience that I feel blessed to have found," said Civil Air Patrol Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Elianna Kovalcheck, Hanscom Composite Squadron Tango Flight sergeant and cadet activities NCO. "Through their cadet program, I have gotten to do some truly amazing things. I have gotten to fly planes and gliders, learned how to lead myself and others, and found that I love getting to teach and mentor other cadets." The CAP program has provided 75 years of support to emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs. When conducting missions for the Air Force as the official Air Force auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol is now included in the Air Force's definition of the total force. The Air Force recently expanded the descriptions of total force and Airmen to now consist of regular, Guard, Reserve, civilian and auxiliary members. "As a strategic partner, these unpaid professionals have boldly served our nation saving the Air Force almost 40 times the cost of using military assets for each hour served," said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. "Inclusion in the total force reflects the continuing key contributions of this highly trained and equipped organization." CAP has approximately 57,000 volunteers and 550 aircraft assigned to more than 1,500 units stateside available or currently supporting non-combat missions on behalf of the Air Force. Auxiliary members fly nearly 100,000 hours per year performing disaster relief, counterdrug operations, search and rescue, fighter interceptor training, aerial observation and cadet orientation flights. For further information on the Hanscom Civil Air Patrol, contact Capt. Marc Vaccarello, recruiting and retention officer, at 781-859-7812 or by email at marc.vaccarello@mawg.cap.gov. Additional information can be found at www.mawg.cap.gov/public. (Editor's Note: Portions of this article were taken from a Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs article.)