Palm Desert

Air Commandos Lunch Tomorrow

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Our next Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow Wednesday, September 23 at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert, please join us.

We will be joined by USAF Major Lee Cohen, who will discuss Operation Nickel Grass, the extraordinary 1973 U.S. airlift that delivered critical military supplies to Israel during the Yom Kippur War.

As always, Air Commandos is an opportunity to get together for lunch, conversation and camaraderie. But this Wednesday we also have some important things to talk about as we continue moving AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 forward.

We will be discussing ideas for our new Cyber Program initiatives and where we want to take our youth education efforts. We will also talk about our new Mission Grant program, providing one-time grants of up to $500 to a veteran, active duty service member, spouse or family member facing a critical need.

And we need some help. As these programs begin to take shape, there are opportunities for Chapter members and friends to become involved as program volunteers. You do not need to make a major commitment. Sometimes having the right person willing to help with one part of a program can make all the difference.

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

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

Video call:
https://meet.google.com/xad-gpux-okz

By phone:
(US) +1 661-615-8143
PIN: 228 789 989#

More phone numbers:
https://tel.meet/xad-gpux-okz?pin=3132595125246

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
11:30 a.m.

ROC’s Firehouse Grille
36891 Cook St.
Palm Desert, CA 92211

Come for lunch, hear a fascinating piece of Air Force history, bring your ideas, and help us build what comes next for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Thanks!

Important Chapter Dates for September and October

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

We have some important Chapter dates coming up, beginning with our next Air Commandos Lunch on Wednesday, September 23.

Our Air Commandos lunches have no agenda. They are informal gatherings, a chance to have lunch, talk aviation, catch up with friends and enjoy the conversation. At the same time, we are continuing to discuss what is happening with AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, the programs we are developing, new relationships in our community and ideas for where we go next. Bring your thoughts and ideas with you.

On Wednesday, October 7, we will hold our monthly Chapter Meeting & Lunch. In addition to Chapter business and updates, we will have a presentation by the Honor Flight Network.

Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization that transports eligible veterans to Washington, D.C., at no cost to them so they can visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The program gives priority to World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, as well as veterans who are critically ill. It operates through a nationwide network of local hubs and has transported hundreds of thousands of veterans since the first Honor Flight in 2005.

Then on Wednesday, October 21, we are back to our informal Air Commandos Lunch.

All three begin at 11:30 AM in our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

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

Everyone is welcome. You do not have to be an AFA member to join us. Come for lunch, come for the conversation, and come see what is happening at AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Thanks!

Air Commandos Lunch Today!

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

There is a lot happening at AFA Palm Springs, and the best way to be part of it is to join us today, Wednesday, September 9, for our Air Commandos Lunch.

We will be gathering at 11:30 a.m. in our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert for good food, aviation conversation and a chance to continue the discussions that came out of our very successful Chapter meeting last week.

We are expanding our communications, moving forward with Cyber Education, continuing our Teacher of the Year program, developing our relationship with EAA Thermal Chapter and Young Eagles, reaching out to Civil Air Patrol Palm Springs and local veterans organizations, and working on new programs and ideas for our 519 Chapter members.

But all of this becomes more meaningful when more of our members participate.

Our Air Commandos lunches are an opportunity to sit down together, exchange ideas and help shape what comes next. You don’t need to be an officer or volunteer for a program. Come have lunch, meet some of your fellow members, listen to what is being discussed and tell us what you think.

If you have not been to one of our lunches in a while, come back. If you have never attended one, this is a great time to start.

The lunch is informal, everyone is welcome, and you only pay for your own lunch and beverage.

Can’t make it to ROC’s? Join us online. We want our members to participate wherever they happen to be.

Air Commandos Lunch
Wednesday, September 9
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

ROC’s Firehouse Grille
36891 Cook Street
Palm Desert

Join us on Google Meet:
https://meet.google.com/gmc-nnwk-rnw

Or join by phone:
(650) 597-2588
PIN: 834 686 340#

Additional Google Meet phone numbers:
https://tel.meet/gmc-nnwk-rnw?pin=6888571928258

There is a new energy at AFA Palm Springs, and we want more of our members around the table. Come join us today.

Thanks!

Air Commandos Lunch and the Conversation Continues

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Tomorrow is another Air Commandos Lunch at our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

We get together at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, and as always, everyone is welcome. There is no charge to attend. You only pay for your own lunch and beverage.

Our Air Commandos lunches are intentionally informal. They are an opportunity to get together, enjoy lunch, talk aviation, Air Force and Space Force, and whatever else happens to come up around the table.

But there is certainly plenty to talk about this time.

Following our very successful Chapter meeting last week, we will continue the conversation about all of the new things happening at AFA Palm Springs. We have new leadership, a much larger membership than many of us realized, improved communications, year-round operations, expanding Cyber Education, our Teacher of the Year program, and plans for stronger relationships with local schools and colleges.

We are also looking forward to more aviation activities through our relationship with EAA Thermal Chapter and its Young Eagles program, along with building relationships with Civil Air Patrol Palm Springs and local veterans organizations.

And there is much more in the planning stages as we modernize the Chapter and look for new ways to Educate. Advocate. Support.

Most importantly, we want to hear your ideas. The future of AFA Palm Springs is not something that should be decided by just a few people. These lunches give us a chance to sit around the table, talk about what we can do, and find ways for more of our members to participate.

So come have lunch with us, bring your ideas, and be part of what is happening at AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Wednesday, September 9 at 11:30 a.m.
ROC’s Firehouse Grille
36891 Cook Street, Palm Desert

Everyone is welcome!

Thanks!

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!

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!

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!