military aviation

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!

Did You Know? The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Did you know that the Air & Space Forces Association has an organization devoted specifically to the study of aerospace power and its importance to our national security?

It is the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, an affiliate of AFA and the only aerospace power-focused think tank in our nation’s capital. The Institute is an independent, nonpartisan research organization that informs the national security debate, educates about the essential role of aerospace power, and develops fact-based research, analysis and policy options for decision-makers, experts and the public.

For many of us at AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, the Mitchell Institute may be one of the less familiar parts of the larger AFA organization. Yet its work addresses many of the issues that are important to the Air Force and Space Force today.

Mitchell examines subjects ranging from air combat and command and control to emerging technologies, unmanned aircraft, air base defense, force design, space superiority and sustaining operations in space. Its work includes research reports, policy papers, workshops, wargames, symposia, roundtables, webinars and the weekly Aerospace Advantage podcast.

There is a great deal more to AFA than what most of us encounter through our local Chapter activities. Part of improving communications at AFA Palm Springs is making sure our members know about resources like the Mitchell Institute and have an opportunity to explore them.

You can learn more about the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies at:

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Labor Day and the First Flight of the F-22 Raptor

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today is Labor Day, a day when we recognize the work, skill and dedication of America’s workforce.

It is also the anniversary of a remarkable example of what that workforce can accomplish.

On September 7, 1997, the first F-22 Raptor took to the skies over Marietta, Georgia. F-22 Chief Test Pilot Paul Metz lifted off from Dobbins Air Reserve Base for a 58-minute first flight that began a new chapter in American airpower.

The F-22 was developed to succeed the F-15 in the air superiority role, bringing together stealth, maneuverability, advanced sensors and the ability to sustain supersonic flight without afterburner. The aircraft that flew that morning was the result of years of work by thousands of engineers, designers, technicians, mechanics, production workers, test personnel and members of the United States Air Force.

Twenty-nine years later, the Raptor remains an important part of the nation’s air dominance capability. The Air Force continues to modernize the aircraft as it looks toward the next generation of air combat.

That makes its first-flight anniversary especially appropriate for Labor Day.

Behind an aircraft as extraordinary as the F-22 are extraordinary people. From the people who conceived and designed it to those who built, tested, maintained and flew it, the Raptor represents American innovation, skill and teamwork on an enormous scale.

At AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, our mission to Educate. Advocate. Support. includes recognizing both the people who serve and the people whose work makes their mission possible.

On this Labor Day, we recognize them all.

Thank You!

From First Flight to the Doolittle Raid

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today marks the anniversary of the first flight of one of the most famous aircraft of World War II, the North American B-25 Mitchell.

The B-25 first took to the air on August 19, 1940.

Less than two years later, on April 18, 1942, sixteen B-25Bs sat on the deck of the USS Hornet in the Pacific. Led by Lt. Col. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, their crews launched from the carrier on a mission to strike targets in Japan, including Tokyo.

The Doolittle Raid came just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Although the physical damage from the raid was relatively limited, its impact was far greater. It provided an important boost to American morale and demonstrated that the Japanese home islands could be reached by American forces.

Think about that timeline.

On August 19, 1940, the B-25 was making its first flight. Just 20 months later, sixteen of them were launching from an aircraft carrier on one of the most daring and historically significant missions of World War II.

The photograph shows the Doolittle Raiders’ B-25s lined up on the deck of USS Hornet as they were carried toward Japan.

From first flight to history in less than two years.

A remarkable chapter in the heritage of American air power.

Three Great Reasons to Join Us at ROC’s Firehouse Grille

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is growing in exciting new ways. We’re expanding our aviation activities, growing our Cyber Education programs, building new partnerships, and launching initiatives that will strengthen our Chapter while creating new opportunities for our members.

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. They’re simply an opportunity to enjoy good food, good conversation, and the company of fellow members and guests.

Wednesday, September 2 is our monthly Chapter Meeting and Lunch. In addition to Chapter business, we’ll present a review of our successful Summer Cyber Camp and discuss the continued expansion of our Cyber Education programs. If you’d like to learn more about the exciting direction our Chapter is heading and how we’re helping inspire the next generation through aviation and cybersecurity education, this is a meeting you won’t want to miss.

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!

Air Commandos Lunch Tomorrow – Join Us and Check Out Something New

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Just a reminder that our Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12, at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

Tomorrow we’ll also be trying something new. We’ll be testing out our new 65-inch big screen in the back room, along with external speakers, and we’ll have aviation videos playing to do it. It’s another step toward making our gatherings even more enjoyable, so come check it out with us and have some fun.

The lunches are informal, friendly, and have no agenda. They’re simply a great opportunity to enjoy good food, good conversation, and the company of fellow members and guests. There is no charge to attend. Just pay for your own lunch and beverage. Whether you’re a long-time member, a veteran, currently serving, or simply interested in aviation, military history, or the Air and Space Forces, we’d be glad to have you join us.

If this will be your first time attending, you’re especially welcome.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

If you’d like to learn how these lunches began and why they have become such a popular tradition for us, read The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch.

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.

Air Commandos Lunch Tomorrow July 1st

/ Ian L. Sitren / 1 Comment

Just a reminder that our Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1, at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

The lunches are informal, friendly, no agenda, and a great opportunity to meet fellow members and guests over good food. There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage. Whether you’re a long-time member, a veteran, currently serving, or simply interested in aviation, military history, and the Air and Space Forces, we would enjoy having you join us.

If this will be your first time attending, you’re especially welcome.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

If you’d like to learn how these lunches began and why they have become such a popular tradition for us, read The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch. Thanks!

The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch

Air Commandos Lunch November 19 Recap

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Our November Air Commandos lunch drew a full room of 26 members and guests at ROC’s Firehouse Grill in Palm Desert to hear Frank Tullo. He told us of his firsthand account of a 1965 combat mission over North Vietnam that ended with his F-105 taking direct ground fire. After keeping the aircraft flying as long as possible, he was forced to eject deep in hostile territory, surviving in tall elephant grass until help arrived.

Frank’s rescue became a milestone in Air Force history: the very first combat rescue performed by the newly modified HH-3E “Jolly Green Giant” helicopter. Hearing the sequence of events directly from the man who lived it held the room from the start.

The presentation set the tone for a great lunch. Conversations continued long after the formal talk ended, with members trading questions, sharing related experiences, and appreciating the chance to hear a piece of Air Force history told directly and vividly. These informal gatherings continue to be a highlight for our chapter, bringing together community, service, and living history around the table.

Thank you to everyone who attended and to ROC’s Firehouse Grill for hosting us.

Our next Air Commandos lunch will be on Wednesday, December 10, with guest speaker Gary Lucas, retired U.S. Army Major, Vietnam War combat Cobra helicopter pilot and Purple Heart recipient. We hope to see you there.