Chapter Update

I had the opportunity to spend Tuesday at our AFA Summer Cyber Camp, and I came away genuinely impressed. The facility, the instructors, and especially the students exceeded my expectations. This is a first-class program that demonstrates exactly what our Air & Space Forces Association is all about by inspiring and preparing the next generation of technology and cybersecurity professionals.

If you have a few hours available, I encourage you to stop by on Thursday or Friday and experience the camp for yourself.

Thursday, July 16 (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Students will present the AI projects they have developed throughout the week as Professor Marhuenda-Donate and Jose Ramirez return to review their work and discuss the results.

Friday, July 17 (9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

Graduation Day features team cyber competitions, awards, presentations by Indio High School Information Technology instructor Mark Brenner, and the participation of parents and families. Representatives from the offices of Congressman Ken Calvert and Congressman Raul Ruiz will present Congressional Certificates to every camper before everyone celebrates with a well-earned pizza party.

The camp is located in the College of the Desert Library, in the center of the campus.

Enter the campus from Fred Waring Drive, follow the signs, park in Lot 5, and walk north past the gymnasium to the library. Please do not confuse it with the Public Library near the campus entrance. Once inside the College of the Desert Library, take the elevator to the basement level and enter the glass doors leading to the Information Technology Center.

I hope many of our members will take the opportunity to visit. Seeing these students at work, meeting the instructors, and experiencing the professionalism of this program firsthand is the best way to appreciate the impact our chapter is making in the community. It is an outstanding example of the Air & Space Forces Association mission in action, and I believe you’ll leave as impressed as I was.

I will personally be there again on Friday, and I hope to see many of you there.

Ian L. Sitren

Cyber Camp begins next week, and it is one of the most important programs our chapter conducts each year.

Its importance is reflected in the generous support we have received from our community, including a recent grant from the Anderson Children’s Foundation and previous funding from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. Their confidence in our program is helping us prepare the next generation of cyber professionals and technology leaders.

Joining our members who will be staffing the camp—including Jim McFarlin, Tony Della-Moretta, and Jose Ramirez—I will also be there on Tuesday and Friday photographing the activities and documenting the week.

I would encourage our members to take some time during the week to stop by, see the program in action, and show your support for these outstanding students. The camp runs Monday through Friday, and the complete schedule is available on our website:

AFA 2026 Summer Cyber Camp Schedule

While you’re there, I also invite you to explore the website if you haven’t visited recently—or even in the past few days. We’ve added new sections, updated the calendar, and made a number of improvements. The site will continue to grow as we develop it into the central communication and information resource for our members, prospective members, and visitors.

The website is easy to remember… AFAPalmSprings.org

We look forward to seeing many of you at Cyber Camp next week.

And remember, our Air Commandos Lunch is this coming Wednesday, July 15th. Everyone is welcome.

Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs

Visit the AFA Cyber Camp This Thursday or Friday

Cyber Camp Begins Next Week – Visit, Support, and See What’s New at AFA Palm Springs