Region Review: Rocky Mountain Region

Colorado, Utah and Wyoming make up the Rocky Mountain region. The region has eight chapters; state incorporated Aerospace Education Foundations in Colorado and Utah, plus Utah has the only AFA State Industrial Associates. The region has approximately 6,000 members, of which approximately 40% are in the Lance Sijan Chapter in Colorado Springs.

This three state area has a wide range of Air Force missions. All three states have Space and Missile missions, the flying missions include C-130s, KC-135s and F-16s. Utah is home to one of the three Air Force Logistic Centers, Wyoming is home to the ICBM numbered AF, and Colorado is home to the Air Force Academy and AF Space Command. The Region also has six AFROTC Units and thirteen AFJROTC Units.

All the above facts lead to one simple conclusion; there is much work to be done and not a lot of hands to do it. Yet this region has a long history of success that is continuing today and likely will continue for many years to come. All chapters support military units near them with awards programs and participation in local military events. All chapters are involved with local veteran’s activities and all chapters are involved with some aspect of education, either through ROTC unit participation and/or scholarship and grant programs. All but one chapter raised additional funds above and beyond the National support payments. In this region, however, there are many activities and symposia that have a national flavor, even though they are state and chapter events.

The Lance Sijan Chapter annually assists AFSPC by holding the Space and Cyberspace Warfare Symposium, an event that draws many individuals from around the country involved in these two important AF missions.

This past year the Cowboy Chapter of Wyoming helped FE Warren AFB celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of ICBMs. Cheyenne was the most appropriate location for this event as units at that location have had ICBMs on alert for the entire fifty years, beginning with the Atlas missile, continuing with the Peacekeeper missile and Minuteman missile which will continue on alert well into the future. The fiftieth anniversary event brought ICBM professionals past and present from all over the country to celebrate the ICBMs successful mission accomplishments.

The Utah AFA hosts the annual Focus on Defense Symposium and Charity golf tournament, which annually addresses significant logistics issues. The Utah AFA Industrial Associates sponsors the Hill AFB Requirements Symposium every even numbered year. This event allows all organizations at Hill AFB to inform industry of their planned contract activities over the upcoming five years. Also, the Northern Utah chapter holds an annual Scowcroft Awards banquet for the top Missile, Space and C3 logistics and acquisition personnel throughout the Air Force.

This Region owes much to those who have come before us. Emeritus officers from this region include L Boyd Anderson, Stephen P “Pat” Condon, William Croom, George M Douglas, Michael J Dugan, Dan Hendrickson, Victor R Kregel, Jack C Price, E Robert Skloss, Robert G. Stein and Mark J Worrick. Currently Jerry White is a National Director and Joan Sell is the AFA Secretary. Numerous other individuals from this region have also served on the Board of Directors.

This region has always had a welcoming attitude; if you move here come join us. We welcome all who wish to participate in this wonderful mission.

Submitted by: Grant Hicinbothem
Rocky Mountain Region President

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