Region Review: Southwest Region

The Southwest Region is composed of eight chapters in the states of Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico totaling over 6700 members. All of the chapters have programs that support veterans and aerospace education. Six of the chapters are located near major Air Force bases, and they are actively involved in supporting Air Force activities and airmen at those bases.

The Cochise Chapter in Sierra Vista, AZ has several strong education programs. They provide judges and awards for several area science fairs, and they recently sponsored a very successful teachers’ workshop centered on Astronomy. They also partnered with the University of Arizona in arranging internships for mid- and high school science teachers with local aerospace industries. The Tucson Chapter provides support to the quarterly and annual awards programs at Davis Monthan AFB. They support a “Work Center of the Month” program at the base, and provide briefings to the Airman Leadership classes. They have also established a separate 501(c)(3) organization to assist airman and education programs at Davis Monthan. The Frank Luke Chapter is the region’s largest with over 2100 members. They sponsor or donate to many of the military programs at Luke AFB. They are very active in the Airman Leadership program, and they have funded the Luke AFB Airman of the Year to attend the recent AFA Symposium in Tampa, FL. The Prescott-Goldwater Chapter has been praised for its active support to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University AFROTC and local AFJROTC programs. They are also key contributors to veteran programs and civic activities in the Prescott area.

The Thunderbird Chapter in Las Vegas has almost 1300 members and it is the only chapter in Nevada. They have a wide range of programs in support of all aspects of the AFA mission. The chapter hosted Pearl Harbor Survivors Association veterans on the 69th anniversary of that infamous attack. They worked with the Nellis AFB Red Flag organization to provide several JROTC students with incentive flights on Air Force tankers. The chapter also worked with the 99th ABW to build a lasting memorial to BGen Robin Olds at the Nellis Club. Several chapter members are also working diligently to host the Southwest Region conference this June.

The three New Mexico chapters are closely aligned with major Air Force installations. The Fran Parker Chapter at Alamogordo has been rejuvenated in the past few years. It is currently being led by company grade officers from Holloman AFB. Recently, they have been active in the Visions of Exploration program and other aerospace educational projects, including tours for local schools to Holloman research facilities. The Llano Estacado Chapter at Clovis, NM is very active in supporting local AFJROTC and Civil Air Patrol programs. With the recent change to an SOW mission at Cannon AFB, the chapter has increased its programs to support the airman and their families at that location. The Albuquerque Chapter has traditionally been a recipient of the AFA Aerospace Education Achievement Award with a wide variety of educational and scholarship projects. It supports many of the awards programs at Kirtland AFB, and members have been active in addressing base organizations including the Airman Leadership School. Its members are active in veteran programs throughout the Albuquerque area.

Membership growth and participation continue to be problems with many of the region’s chapters. However, chapter leaders are making progress in those areas, and they are enthusiastic and proud of the contributions each of their chapters are making to advance the AFA objectives to educate, advocate, and support aerospace power.

Submitted by: John Toohey, Southwest Region President

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