Aerospace Education

350,000 Members and 200 Chapters – Welcome to AFA

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Did you know that the Air & Space Forces Association now has more than 350,000 members and 200 chapters around the world?

Those numbers may surprise you. And they are growing.

AFA’s new Mission Membership is a free, digital-first membership open to Airmen, Guardians, veterans, government civilians, military families, industry professionals and others who want to support the mission of the Air Force and Space Force.

There is no cost to join, and Mission Membership provides another way for people throughout our community to become connected with AFA and their local chapter.

Learn more and join at:
https://www.afa.org/join/

But growing membership is only part of the equation. Here at AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, we want membership to mean participation.

There is a great deal happening right now with Chapter operations, modernization, communications, organization and member involvement, along with the expansion of our aviation and Cyber Education activities and the development of new programs and partnerships. We want our members to know what is already underway and, most importantly, be part of it.

Now we need your participation. Everyone is welcome.

Whether you’ve been a member for years, have recently joined us, or are just getting acquainted with AFA, we encourage you to attend our events in person. Meeting face-to-face builds friendships, generates new ideas and helps all of us move the Chapter forward together.

We have three important opportunities coming up, all beginning at 11:30 a.m. in what has become our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

Wednesday, August 26 is our Air Commandos Lunch. There is no formal agenda, but this will be our first opportunity to get together informally with so much now happening at Chapter 134. There is a lot to discuss about the direction of the Chapter, officer transition, modernization, new programs and partnerships, expanding aviation and Cyber Education activities, and how our members can become more involved. Bring your questions, ideas and suggestions and be part of the conversation.

Wednesday, September 2 is our monthly Chapter Meeting and Lunch. This will be an important working meeting focused on new officers and what is already underway and what comes next. We’ll get into the specifics of modernizing our organizational structure and procedures, improving communications and digital resources, preserving our Chapter history, expanding member participation, strengthening our aviation and Cyber Education programs, and developing new programs and partnerships. This is an opportunity to hear what is happening, offer your ideas and take an active role in moving Chapter 134 forward.

Wednesday, September 9 brings us together again for another Air Commandos Lunch. Following our September 2 meeting, there should be even more to talk about. It will be another informal opportunity to continue the discussion, exchange ideas, ask questions and explore where members would like to become involved as the work moves ahead.

There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage.

More than 350,000 AFA members nationally demonstrates the extraordinary reach of the organization. Here at Chapter 134, our opportunity is to turn that same spirit of membership into local involvement, bringing people together around the table and putting their experience, ideas and enthusiasm to work.

We hope you’ll join us for all three of these upcoming gatherings, or as many as you can. Your participation is what will help make AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 even stronger as we continue to grow.

Thank You

Important Chapter Updates Begin August 26

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We have made some important changes to what we’ll be discussing at our next AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 gatherings. There is a great deal happening right now with Chapter operations, modernization, communications, organization and member involvement, along with the expansion of our aviation and Cyber Education activities and development of new programs and partnerships. We want our members to hear about what is already underway and, most importantly, be part of it.

Now we need your participation. Everyone is welcome.

Whether you’ve been a member for years or have recently joined us, we encourage you to attend our events in person as often as possible. Meeting face-to-face builds friendships, generates new ideas, and helps all of us move the Chapter forward together.

We have three great opportunities coming up, all beginning at 11:30 a.m. in what has become our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert. It is now equipped with our new 65-inch big screen for presentations, along with an improving sound system and faster internet service to enhance our meetings and gatherings.

Wednesday, August 26 is our Air Commandos Lunch. These lunches are informal, friendly, and have no agenda. But with so much happening at Chapter 134 right now, there will certainly be plenty to talk about. Come have lunch with us, join the conversation and hear more about what is taking place.

Wednesday, September 2 is our monthly Chapter Meeting and Lunch. This will be an important meeting focused on the work now underway throughout Chapter 134. We’ll discuss modernization of our organizational structure and procedures, improved communications and digital resources, preservation of our Chapter history, greater opportunities for member participation, expanded aviation and Cyber Education activities, and new programs and partnerships.

Then, on Wednesday, September 9, we’ll gather again for another Air Commandos Lunch. Every lunch brings new friendships, new stories, new ideas, and another opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow members and guests.

There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage.

We hope you’ll join us for all three of these upcoming gatherings, or as many as you can. Your participation, ideas, and enthusiasm are what will help make AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 even stronger as we continue to grow.

Thank You!

AFA Palm Springs Congratulates EAA on Mission 2.5

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Today we want to congratulate EAA and the thousands of volunteer pilots, chapter members, and supporters who have reached an extraordinary milestone: 2.5 million Young Eagles flights. Since 1992, the Young Eagles program has introduced millions of young people to the wonder of flight, often sparking a lifelong interest in aviation and aerospace.

Here in the Coachella Valley, we’re especially proud of our friends at EAA Chapter 1116, who conduct Young Eagles rallies almost every month, giving local young people the opportunity to experience their very first flight in a general aviation aircraft. Their dedication has made a lasting difference in our community.

As Frank Brabec, President of EAA Chapter 1116, recently wrote in the chapter newsletter, aviation needs more than pilots. It needs mechanics, technicians, engineers, cybersecurity professionals, and many other talented people who will design, build, maintain, and protect the aircraft and systems of tomorrow. That vision closely aligns with the work our Chapter is already doing through Cyber Education and the Air & Space Forces Association’s CyberPatriot program.

We are excited about the growing relationship between AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 and EAA Chapter 1116. Together, we have an opportunity to inspire young people, introduce them to aviation, and help them discover the many career paths available throughout aerospace and the Air and Space Forces.

Congratulations again to EAA, EAA Chapter 1116, and every volunteer who has helped make Mission 2.5 such a remarkable success. We look forward to working together to inspire the next generation.

Thank You!

Exploring AFA.org – A Resource Every Member Should Know

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The Air & Space Forces Association national website at AFA.org is much more than a place to renew your membership or read the latest news. It is an extensive resource that reflects the many ways AFA supports our Airmen, Guardians, families, veterans, aerospace education, and our nation’s future.

As you can see in this video, simply moving through the menus reveals just how much information is available. Every section opens the door to even more resources, from advocacy and aerospace education to CyberPatriot, professional development, scholarships, conferences, publications, legislative issues, and support for the Total Air Force and Space Force.

Whether you’ve been an AFA member for years or recently joined our Chapter, I encourage you to spend some time exploring AFA.org. You may be surprised by the depth of information, programs, and opportunities available to every member.

It is truly one of the best resources available for learning more about the Air & Space Forces Association and everything it does to support our mission.

Thanks!

From Oshkosh to Opportunity: Inspiring the Next Generation of Aviation

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

What does a remarkable airplane at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh have to do with the future of AFA Palm Springs? More than you might think.

As another record-breaking EAA AirVenture Oshkosh comes to a close, more than 734,000 people attended the world’s largest annual aviation gathering. More than 10,000 aircraft, 1,600 forums and workshops, 1,021 exhibitors, 6,000 volunteers, and an estimated $257 million economic impact made AirVenture 2026 another extraordinary success. From vintage aircraft and warbirds to military aviation, homebuilt airplanes, aerospace innovation, education, and the future of flight, Oshkosh remains unlike any other aviation event in the world.

Among the aircraft attracting attention this year was the remarkable Gee Bee QED, a modern recreation of the famous 1934 cross-country racer. It is an extraordinary aircraft, powered by a 1,425 horsepower radial engine and built as a faithful recreation of one of aviation’s most recognizable racing airplanes.

As impressive as the airplane is, the most compelling story surrounding it isn’t found in its performance specifications. It’s found in the people working around it.

In an interview at Oshkosh, Kelly Mahon, Director of Operations for the Mid America Flight Museum, explained that while preserving aviation history and honoring veterans remain central to the museum’s mission, another equally important mission is mentoring young people. High school students were invited into the restoration shop to learn, contribute, and become part of the project. One of those students later attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and completed engineering work that directly contributed to the aircraft.

One story stood out in particular. A mother initially became involved simply by bringing baked goods to the restoration team while her daughters participated. Her interest grew into a passion for aviation, and she eventually earned her Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificate and became a member of the restoration team herself.

Mahon also challenged one of aviation’s most common assumptions. While much of the conversation focuses on a shortage of pilots, he argues that aviation has an equally urgent need for aircraft mechanics, technicians, engineers, and other skilled professionals who will build, maintain, and advance the aircraft of tomorrow.

His message was both simple and compelling:

“We’ve got to get them to the airport, and we’ve got to get them excited.”

Those ideas reinforce an important opportunity for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

The Air & Space Forces Association has always been committed to supporting Airmen, Guardians, veterans, and aerospace education. As our Chapter continues to expand its Cyber Education initiatives, we also recognize that aviation itself remains an essential part of inspiring the next generation. Through growing relationships with organizations such as EAA Chapter 1116, Young Eagles, Civil Air Patrol, College of the Desert, local schools, and other STEM partners, we have an opportunity to introduce young people to aviation, aerospace, engineering, aircraft maintenance, cybersecurity, military service, and many of the careers that support our nation’s Air and Space Forces.

The future of aerospace depends on far more than pilots. It depends on the people who design, build, maintain, protect, and innovate the technologies that make flight possible.

Aviation has always inspired people to look beyond the horizon. The challenge today is making sure the next generation has the opportunity to discover that same inspiration. Whether that journey leads to the cockpit, the maintenance hangar, an engineering laboratory, a cyber operations center, or military service, it begins by giving young people the chance to experience aviation firsthand.

That is why aviation outreach remains an important part of the mission of AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

We encourage you to watch Kelly Mahon’s interview. The Gee Bee QED is a remarkable airplane, but the ideas behind the project may be even more inspiring.

The 2026 Air & Space Forces Almanac Has Arrived

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

One of the things I still enjoy is receiving a magazine in the mail.

Call me old fashioned, but there is something satisfying about holding a printed publication in your hands. The battery never runs out. It slips easily into a backpack or briefcase. You can read it at the beach, beside the pool, or in bright sunlight without fighting reflections on a screen. And if you happen to drip nacho cheese on it, you simply wipe it off and keep reading.

The latest issue of Air & Space Forces Magazine has started arriving in members’ mailboxes, and it is one I look forward to every year.

The 2026 Air & Space Forces Almanac is a remarkable 176-page reference filled with current information about the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. It covers everything from aircraft inventories, weapons systems, budgets, installations, and organizational structure to personnel statistics, leadership, awards, and much more. It is also packed with outstanding photography and graphics that make it just as enjoyable to browse as it is to study. 

Unlike most magazines that are read once and recycled, this is a publication that stays within easy reach. Throughout the year, I find myself pulling it off the shelf whenever I want to verify a fact, check an aircraft inventory, look up a command, or simply enjoy some excellent aviation photography.

Receiving Air & Space Forces Magazine, including this annual Almanac, is one of the many benefits available to AFA members at qualifying membership levels. It is another reminder that membership is about much more than supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. It also connects you with information and resources that are difficult to find gathered together anywhere else.

If your copy has already arrived, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. If not, keep an eye on your mailbox. I think you’ll find it’s well worth the wait.

A New Way to Join the Air & Space Forces Association Free!

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

The Air & Space Forces Association has introduced something completely new.

For the first time, AFA now offers a free Mission Membership. This new membership makes it easier than ever for anyone with an interest in our Air Force, Space Force, aerospace, aviation, STEM education, or national security to become part of the AFA community. Again, membership is open to everyone.

Mission Membership provides access to AFA news, educational programs, webinars, research, national events, and local Chapter activities. Whether you have served in the military, work in aerospace, are a student, educator, or simply support the mission of the Air & Space Forces Association, there is now a place for you in AFA at absolutely no cost.

This is also a tremendous opportunity for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Every new member strengthens our Chapter and helps us expand our educational programs, CyberPatriot, community outreach, aerospace education, and partnerships throughout the Coachella Valley. The more members we have, the more we can accomplish.

If you are already an AFA member, thank you for your continued support.

If you know someone who has ever thought about joining AFA, now is the perfect time. Invite your family, friends, neighbors, fellow veterans, active duty military, educators, students, pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in aerospace and our nation’s defense.

Joining is easy.

Simply visit:

Join AFA

When completing your registration, please be sure to select Palm Springs Chapter 134. That simple step helps strengthen our local Chapter and ensures you receive information about our activities, meetings, educational programs, and special events.

It costs nothing.

It only takes a few minutes.

We look forward to welcoming many new members to AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Thank You!

AFA Palm Springs Returns to Regular Chapter Communications and CyberPatriot Updates

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

One thing became very clear after many conversations at our Air Commandos lunches.

Our Chapter has been doing a lot of good things.

The problem wasn’t the lack of activity. It was the lack of communication.

Many of us simply didn’t know what was happening.

That changes now.

One of the best examples is our Cyber Education program under the leadership of Jim McFarlin. It has developed into one of the most exciting and successful parts of our Chapter, yet many members know very little about it. Over the coming weeks Jim will be introducing everyone to the program with regular updates explaining what it is, who is involved, what is happening, and where it is headed.

The next major event is the AFA CyberPatriot Summer Cyber Camp at College of the Desert, July 13 through 17. It introduces high school students to cybersecurity, operating systems, networking, cryptography, incident response, online safety, and much more. It is exactly the kind of program that helps prepare the next generation for careers protecting our nation’s digital infrastructure.

Our Chapter is a major part of making this camp happen, and it deserves our support.

So…find a clean pair of pants and maybe a shirt without chili stains. More information will be coming very soon.

As part of improving communication, I have once again assumed responsibility for the Chapter’s website, Facebook page, and online communications. As many of you know, I turned those responsibilities over to the Chapter in December 2025. Since then, our online presence has been largely inactive.

That changes today.

You can expect regular updates, timely information about Chapter activities, stories about our members and programs, upcoming events, photographs, and the kinds of things that keep us informed about what is happening throughout our organization.

There is a tremendous amount of positive momentum within AFA Palm Springs. Our job now is simply to make sure everyone knows about it.

More to come…