Holiday Letter
 

We're honored and privileged to serve as your AFA national officers and are very pleased with the Association's most successful 2007.

This year marked the 60th anniversary of the United Sates Air Force and we were proud to begin that celebration in February in Orlando with a great Air Warfare Symposium entitled, "Striking the Balance: Today's War, Tomorrow's Threats, Future Technology." Our industry partners helped make this event a huge success.

We continued the birthday celebration during the 2007 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in September. This year's Conference was an invaluable professional development event for all participants that included four major addresses, 30 valuable forums and workshops, and excellent attendance. Over six thousand people visited the Aerospace Technology Exposition, where exhibitors showed off cutting-edge air, space, and cyberspace technology. And we were most pleased to be able to co-host the 2007 Global Air Chiefs' Conference simultaneously, gathering military leaders from nearly 100 nations around the world in Washington, DC. The Air Force Memorial served as a moving site for hundreds of people, including the Global Air Chiefs, for a Memorial service that week.

AFA's National Symposium on Space and the annual Air Force Ball in Los Angeles in mid-November were again big hits. The symposium session examined the topic of "Space - Our Heritage, Our Future" and speakers included the top Air Force leaders in that field, along with Heritage and Futures panels _ a new addition this year in keeping with our theme.

And throughout the year, your Association has been involved in a strategic communications outreach -- through a number of media vehicles -- educating the American people about the value the Air Force plays as part of a strong national defense and especially in the Global War on Terror. This effort has been significantly enhanced with the revitalized professional staff headed by new President and CEO, Mike Dunn.

2008 will be an important one for our Association and the United States Air Force. Our Airmen remain in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan and there's a long road ahead in the Global War on Terror. At the same time, budget pressures continue to force service planners to make tough choices on recapitalization, people and future programs. AFA will continue to actively educate the public and the Congress about the importance of air, space and cyberspace power and a strong national defense as we simultaneously work to improve and grow for the future so that we can better fulfill the Air Force mission.

The courage, dedication and sacrifice of our active duty, guard and reserve men and women in uniform, along with their civilian counterparts and industry partners, as well as the families of those serving our nation, are remarkable and we couldn't be more proud of them and they're in our prayers this holiday season. Please remember to reach out to our Airmen and their families in your communities and let them know how much you appreciate the work they do.

The success we've had as an Association is yours — our dedicated volunteers in the field and our great professional staff at the headquarters — as you help advance AFA's mission. Working together, we will help improve the quality of life of our nation's Airmen and ensure that our Air Force is ready to meet the multiple challenges of the future.

Your Association's National Officers wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and prosperous 2008! It's our hope that each of you enjoy this special time of year with family and friends, and we look forward together to a great New Year.

With deep appreciation for all you do,

 

Robert E. (Bob) Largent	Joseph E. Sutter	Sandy Schlitt
Chairman of the Board	Vice Chairman of the Board	Vice Chairman of the Board
	Field Operations	Aerospace Education

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