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Washington man assumes control of CAP group in Pa.

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Maj. Walter D. Hobgood of Washington recently assumed command of Civil Air Patrol’s Pennsylvania Group 1 during a special ceremony at Washington Squadron 601’s annual banquet at the Washington Elks Lodge.

Hobgood also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair.

Group 1 of CAP’s Pennsylvania Wing is composed of six squadrons from 10 counties. Units include Washington Squadron 601, Allegheny Squadron 602, Golden Triangle Squadron 603, Butler Squadron 712, Somerset Squadron 1502 and Bedford Squadron 202. Washington County Squadron 601 is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force that provides search and rescue, emergency services, youth programs and aerospace education to communities nationwide.

“My goal for group 1 going forward is to help the squadrons work more closely together,” Hobgood said. “I would like to see them function more as a family than as separate units.”

Hobgood began his membership with CAP’s Washington County Squadron 601 in January 2008. Since then, he has held almost every professional position possible in a CAP squadron, including acting as the designated officer for emergency services, search and rescue, safety, aerospace education and communications.

In April 2008, he took over command and led the unit for more than two years. Afterward, he continued to serve as 601’s deputy commander and an adviser to the commander for those who followed him.

Hobgood most recently served as deputy commander and professional development officer of Pennsylvania Wing Group 1.

In addition to his six years with CAP, Hobgood brings to his new position eight years of experience as a member of the U.S. Navy and his service during the first Gulf War.

In between volunteering, he works as a 3D mechanical designer at Thermo Fisher Scientific. He and his wife, Carrie, have three children, and he is actively involved with the 4H program.

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