AFA Chapter 134

Operation Nickel Grass A Firsthand Account

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Our next Air Commandos Lunch will take us back to a critical moment in U.S. Air Force history.

On Wednesday, September 23, AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 member USAF Major Lee Cohen will talk about his role in Operation Nickel Grass, the massive American airlift that supplied Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

When the war began on October 6, Israel was rapidly consuming ammunition and other military supplies. The United States responded with Military Airlift Command C-5 Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter aircraft flying thousands of miles to deliver urgently needed equipment and materiel.

Over 32 days, the Air Force delivered 22,395 tons of cargo on 567 missions. Nickel Grass demonstrated the reach and capability of American strategic airlift while also revealing lessons that would influence the future of U.S. air mobility.

Major Cohen was part of that operation, and on September 23 he will share his experiences and perspective on what it took to carry out this enormous mission.

For those who would like to know more about Operation Nickel Grass before joining us, Air & Space Forces Magazinepublished an excellent history of the operation by Walter J. Boyne, former director of the National Air and Space Museum and a retired Air Force colonel. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/1298nickel

The lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge to attend. You only pay for your own lunch and beverage.

Join us September 23 for an opportunity to hear the story of Operation Nickel Grass from one of our own.

Thanks!

Introducing Mission Grant

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today is an important day for the military community.

It is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, when we remember those who endured captivity, those who never returned home, and the families who continue to wait.

It is also the 79th birthday of the United States Air Force.

It seems like an especially appropriate day for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 to announce something new.

We are introducing Mission Grant, a program designed to provide one-time grants of up to $500 to veterans, active-duty service members, spouses and military family members facing an immediate and demonstrated financial need.

The idea behind Mission Grant is simple.

Sometimes a relatively small amount of money can keep a difficult situation from becoming a genuine crisis. It might be a $400 car repair that allows someone to continue getting to work. It might be groceries for the widow of a veteran trying to make it through the end of the month. It might be a prescription, a utility bill or another unexpected expense.

We cannot solve every problem. But sometimes as much as $500 can solve the problem that matters right now.

Requests will be reviewed by a small Chapter committee, and applicants and recipients will be treated confidentially. We do not believe someone should have to publicly share a difficult personal situation in order to ask for help.

We are still putting the final application procedures in place, and an online application will be available soon.

Today we have launched a new Mission Grant page on the AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 website where you can learn more about the program.

Visit AFAPalmSprings.org and select Mission Grant from the main menu.

The mission of the Air & Space Forces Association is Educate. Advocate. Support.

On a day when we remember those who served, honor those who never came home, and celebrate 79 years of the United States Air Force, Support seems like a particularly appropriate word.

Mission Grant is one more way AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is putting our mission to Support into action.

Thank You!

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, a day set aside to honor Americans who endured captivity as prisoners of war and those who served our nation and never came home.

First observed in 1979, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed each year on the third Friday in September. Across the country, the familiar black and white POW/MIA flag reminds us of a promise that has endured for generations: You Are Not Forgotten.

That promise extends beyond those who remain missing. It belongs to their families, some of whom have waited decades for answers. It honors former prisoners of war who returned home carrying experiences that few of us can fully understand. And it reminds us that our obligation to those who serve does not end when a war ends.

For AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, that has particular meaning.

Veterans and military families are an important part of our Chapter and our greater Coachella Valley community. As we expand the work of our Chapter, supporting them and strengthening our relationships with organizations that serve them will continue to be an important part of what we do.

The mission of the Air & Space Forces Association is Educate. Advocate. Support. National POW/MIA Recognition Day reminds us just how important the word Support can be.

Today we remember those who came home after captivity, those who remain missing, and the families who continue to wait.

You Are Not Forgotten.

Happy 79th Birthday United States Air Force

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today we celebrate the 79th birthday of the United States Air Force.

On September 18, 1947, the United States Air Force officially became an independent military service with the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947. Until then, America’s military aviation had been part of the Army, most recently as the U.S. Army Air Forces. The experience of World War II had demonstrated the importance of air power and the need for a separate military service.

The organization we know today as the Air & Space Forces Association actually predates the Air Force. AFA was founded in 1946 under the leadership of General Jimmy Doolittle, with advancing air power and establishing an independent Air Force among its earliest priorities.

From its beginnings in the years immediately following World War II, the Air Force evolved through the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and decades of operations around the world. Today, its mission reaches far beyond flying aircraft, encompassing global mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber operations, nuclear deterrence and rapidly developing technologies.

Another major evolution came in 2019 with the creation of the United States Space Force as a separate military service within the Department of the Air Force. AFA now represents and supports both Airmen and Guardians.

For AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, this history is very much a part of who we are. Here in the Coachella Valley, we carry the AFA mission forward through Cyber Education, Teacher of the Year, our relationships with students and educators, Civil Air Patrol and aviation organizations, and our growing connections with veterans, active-duty military and military families.

Educate. Advocate. Support. Those three words defined an important purpose for AFA when it was founded 80 years ago, and they continue to define our mission today.

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 proudly recognizes the generations of Airmen who have served our nation and those serving around the world today.

Happy 79th Birthday to the United States Air Force!

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 Moving Forward

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 2, at 11:30 a.m., we will gather for a very important AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 meeting and lunch at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

We have a lot to talk about.

We will announce our new Chapter officers and discuss the direction of a Chapter that now has a much larger membership. We will look at planning and modernization, improved communications, the future of our Cyber Education programs, and new ways for members to participate.

We are also expanding our aviation activities through our relationship with EAA Thermal Chapter, including opportunities to become involved with the Young Eagles program and introducing young people to aviation and flight.

A larger membership gives us more opportunities, but it is participation that will make those opportunities happen. We need our members there and taking part.

Come to the meeting. Bring your ideas. Ask questions. Get involved. Help us build what comes next for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026
11:30 a.m.
ROC’s Firehouse Grille
36891 Cook St.
Palm Desert, CA 92211

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

If you cannot attend in person, join us by Google Meet:

https://meet.google.com/nzd-uisq-rre?authuser=0&hs=122

Meeting code: nzd-uisq-rre

Or join by phone:

(US) +1 475-239-1103
PIN: 618 612 054#

Everyone is welcome and Thank You!

Happy 110th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps Reserve

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today, August 29, marks the 110th birthday of the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

The Marine Corps Reserve was established on August 29, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Naval Appropriations Act of 1916. Created as the United States prepared for the possibility of entering World War I, the Reserve provided a trained force that could augment the active-duty Marine Corps when the nation needed it.

That mission has continued for 110 years. Reserve Marines have served alongside active-duty Marines in every major American conflict since World War I. During World War II alone, approximately 70 percent of the nearly 590,000 Marines who served were reservists.

Today, Marine Forces Reserve provides approximately 100,000 Reserve Marines who can support and augment the active component in times of war, national emergency and contingency operations, as well as in training, exercises, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and other missions.

The Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134 recognizes the men and women of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, past and present, for 110 years of service to our nation.

Happy Birthday, Marine Corps Reserve. Semper Fidelis.

AFA Palm Springs Is Now Connected In Person and Online

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Yesterday at our Air Commandos lunch, we successfully tested remote access for members who cannot join us in person.

The results were very encouraging. We had plenty of internet speed, the audio and video worked well, and our remote participants could hear the conversation from around the room. We will be making one improvement by adding a better camera that can provide a view of the entire room.

A big thank you to Iain Parsons for getting everything set up and working.

We even had Rick Bryant attempting to join us from Slovenia. Unfortunately, despite several tries, we could not get him connected. We appreciate Rick making the effort, and we will be looking into what caused the problem.

We will be using remote access again for our important Chapter meeting this coming Wednesday, September 2 at 11:30 a.m. We have a great deal to discuss, including the many recent changes within AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, our new directions, and what comes next.

We will provide the remote access link prior to the meeting. If you cannot be with us in person, please join us online and be part of the discussion.

And, of course, we would very much like to see you in person at our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

Wednesday, September 2
11:30 a.m.
ROC’s Firehouse Grille, Palm Desert
Or join us remotely

Everyone is welcome. And your participation is really important for all of us.

Thanks!

Tomorrow’s Air Commandos Lunch Takes on Added Importance

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Tomorrow is our Air Commandos Lunch, but this one takes on some added importance for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Our Air Commandos Lunches are normally informal gatherings with no agenda, and that has not changed. Good food, good conversation and camaraderie are still very much the idea. But there is a great deal happening at Chapter 134 right now, and tomorrow gives us our first opportunity to get together and talk about it.

We have new Chapter leadership taking shape, modernization already underway, improvements in communications and organization, expanding aviation and Cyber Education activities, new programs and partnerships in development, and greater opportunities for our members to become directly involved.

So while there is no formal agenda tomorrow, there is certainly plenty to talk about.

We want to hear your questions, your ideas and your suggestions. More importantly, we want you to be part of what comes next. The direction and strength of Chapter 134 will depend on members getting involved, participating and bringing their experience and enthusiasm to the table.

Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26 at 11:30 a.m. in our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

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

This is a particularly good time to come to an Air Commandos Lunch. There is a lot happening, a lot to discuss, and a great deal ahead for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

We hope to see you tomorrow.

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

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

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!