The Maine Civil Air Patrol Wing mission pilots recently flew to Providence, R.I., to attend a Civil Air Patrol air defense training class on homeland security. Mission pilots from Maine to New Jersey attended the class.

Those going from the Maine Wing were Col. Christopher Hayden, Maine Wing commander, Maj. Dan Gagnon, Portland CAP Squadron, Auburn/Lewiston 77th Composite Squadron Commander Capt. Dan Leclair and Mission Pilot Lt. Warren King.

The Civil Air Patrol is a humanitarian and educational nonprofit organization. Members who serve are civilian volunteers of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.

Programs for cadets ages 12 to 21 develop leadership, and they learn about aviation, space, flight training and physical fitness. Cadets have been credited with locating downed aircraft, finding missing people and saving lives.

The local CAP is located at the Auburn/Lewiston Airport, meetings at 6 p.m. every Thursday. Leclair is commander and can be reached at 344-9088. Information can be seen on www.cap.gov/visitors/quick_info/parents.cfm.