U.S. Rep. Tom Reed accepts his Civil Air Patrol membership certificate from Lt. Col. Doug Jensen, commander of the New York Wing’s South Central Group, while Lt. Col. George Fillgrove, the wing’s assistant director of aerospace education, stands by.
Photo by Lt. Col. Larry Brinker, New York Wing
1st Lt. Dan Babcock
Public Affairs Officer
South Central Group
New York Wing
NEW YORK – U.S. Rep. Tom Reed is the newest member of Civil Air Patrol’s Congressional Squadron after receiving his membership certificate and card in a ceremony at the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, adjacent to Elmira-Corning Regional Airport in the heart of Reed’s district.
The congressman received his membership certificate and membership card from Lt. Col. Doug Jensen, commander of the New York Wing’s South Central Group.
Reed was also presented with a Congressional Squadron coin from Cadet Airmen Matthew and Nicholas Cleveland of the Chemung/Schuyler Cadet Squadron. He reciprocated with congressional coins for the cadets.
The lawmaker was briefed on CAP’s three core missions –emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs – and also heard about the organization’s counterdrug from Capt. Vince Monticello, New York Wing counterdrug officer. The congressman then boarded a CAP Cessna 182T with a state-of-the-art G1000 glass cockpit for a 45-minute flight over the Finger Lakes.
After the flight, he was pleased with what he had learned about CAP’s capabilities.
“As the son of a career Army officer, I salute and deeply respect the service of auxiliary organizations such as the Civil Air Patrol,” Reed said. “I am truly honored to be associated with the Civil Air Patrol, and I applaud the work that it does in promoting and preparing future generations of aviators and military leaders.”
Also present for the ceremony were Lt. Cols. George Fillgrove, the wing’s assistant director of aerospace education, and Gerry Marketos, assistant government relations adviser and mission pilot for Reed’s flight.
