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Holiday Letter
Your National Officers want to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the Air Force Association a safe and happy holiday season!
We are, indeed, privileged and honored to serve as your officers during this vital time when our armed forces need our support the
most. We look forward to 2012 which will be a critical time for our Association and the United State Air Force. Budget pressures
are forcing our military leaders to make tough choices on recapitalization, people, and future programs. AFA will continue to
aggressively: EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure
U.S. national security; ADVOCATE for aerospace power and education in the science, technology, engineering and math fields; SUPPORT
the Total Air Force family; and promote aerospace education. Some of our initiatives will include discussions on Capitol Hill, media
outreach, social media activity, and distribution of our Statement of Policy and Top Issues.
Over the past year our Association conducted many successful programs. The annual conferences and symposiums have shown great
development and expansion. Many of you in the Field have mirrored these conferences with outstanding local events as well. These
programs provide invaluable professional development for all participants and help execute our mission.
The inaugural CyberFutures Conference, accompanied by the CyberPatriot III National Finals Competition, was held in late March.
CyberPatriot continues to grow exponentially, educating thousands of high school students on cyber security. We received good
feedback from both the Competition and Conference and are excited to see it grow even bigger in 2012.
The 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition was the biggest yet with 55 different conference addresses, workshops and
forums, including the Air Force Major Command’s Four-Star Forum, and more than 100,000 square feet of cutting-edge air and space
technology exhibits. In addition, special heritage presentations added a great historic emphasis as we were able to honor two groups
and three individuals with AFA Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The Global Warfare Symposium and Annual Air Force Ball in Los Angeles in mid-November were again a success with special heritage
guests representing heavy bombardment crews from World War II and the Tuskegee Airmen. The symposium examined the topic of
“Rethinking Global Conflicts in the 21st Century” and included the top Air Force leaders in that field along with several breakout
sessions on relevant topics from top senior researchers. With the assistance of San Francisco Giants’ pitcher Brian Wilson, the
inaugural Michael Wilson Scholarship was presented to two outstanding Air Force ROTC cadets.
The air Force Memorial, soaring 270 feet high, continues to serve as a poignant symbol of gratitude to the many Airmen who have served
this country in times of war and in times of peace. This year it has been the site for wreath laying ceremonies, concerts, retirements,
promotions, a wedding, and more.
The success of this Association has to be attributed to you – the volunteers and members – through the time and effort you put into
carrying out the many initiatives AFA continues to push. 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.
The past year marked the 10th anniversary of the devastating events that took place on U.S. soil. Over this decade thousands of
Americans continued to volunteer in the face of two wars to serve in defense of the nation. We extend our gratitude to them and to
those who continue to serve. The courage and dedication of the Air Force active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve and
their dependents is remarkable. We have great pride and appreciation for their dedicated service, and we are proud to support them and
advocate on their behalf. Let us take a moment to remember all the men and women in uniform at home and abroad during this holiday
season.
With best wishes for a blessed holiday season,
Sincerely,
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