AFA Debuts ‘Salute to Space,’ Drawing Distinguished Guests to Launch Annual Tradition

The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) hosted the inaugural ‘Salute to Space’ on May 1 with senior Space Force leaders and distinguished guests in attendance.

The salute, held on International Space Day, focused on the legacy of Gen. Bernard Schriever and his critical contributions to the United States’ military space and missile programs. The inaugural event drew a direct line from Schriever’s pioneering legacy to the founding of the modern-day United States Space Force, and featured a keynote from his great-grandson, Master Sgt. Brett Schriever.

As a fourth-generation space operator, Master Sgt. Schriever follows not only in the footsteps of his legendary great-grandfather, his grandfather, who flew Corona capsule recovery missions, and his father, who is a Space Force officer with over three decades of service.

“As Guardians, we are inheritors of my great-grandfather’s legacy,” said Schriever, who also works as a civilian at the National Reconnaissance Office. “The domain we operate in today is vital to U.S. national security, just as he envisioned over half a century ago.”

Brig. Gen. Christopher Fernengel, director of plans and programs for the Space Force, and Gen. David “DT” Thompson, USSF (Ret.), the first vice chief of space operations, also participated in a fireside chat, moderated by Charles Galbreath, a senior fellow and director of AFA’s Mitchell Institute Space Power Advantage Center of Excellence. The panel discussed topics ranging from the legacy of Gen. Schriever, to the origin of the Space Force and its rapidly growing mission set, to current issues impacting national security space.

“I would say we are in the second golden age of space,” said Thompson, alluding to the current popular, bipartisan support for space. “I think there’s a level of commitment, understanding, and support for what needs to be done in space, both civilly and on the national security side, that we haven’t seen since the dawn of the space age.”

Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of the Mitchell Institute, addressed modern challenges in space and emphasized how heritage—and events like the Salute to Space—drive future change.

“Heritage is about understanding the standard that’s been set before us and measuring ourselves against it,” he said.

The event culminated in a special ceremony, during which Master Sgt. Schriever, Thompson, Fernengel, AFA President & CEO Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.), and AFA Chair of the Board Kathleen Ferguson jointly unveiled a life-sized statue of Bernard Schriever in the lobby of AFA headquarters. The statue now stands directly across from AFA’s iconic statue of aviation pioneer and WWII hero Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. The Schriever statue also served as the focal point of the inaugural Salute to Space, held immediately following its unveiling, and will serve as the centerpiece for future annual celebrations.

During the toast, the participants prepared the first “Schriever Charge”: Korbel champagne poured into small, disposable plastic cups—an homage to the humble toast aboard an Air Force transport by the first Chief of Space Operations, Gen. Jay Raymond, immediately after the formation of the Space Force in December 2019.

Fernengel led the Schriever Charge by raising his glass “to honor the past, challenge assumptions, and build the future.”

The charge by Fernengel will be the first of many Schriever Charges to come. AFA looks to continue the tradition every year, with participation from military units across the globe, to ensure the heritage of the space domain is not forgotten and to honor the men and women who dedicate themselves to defending space every day.

“The Salute to Space was historic, and will be a cornerstone of AFA’s mission for years to come. The legacy and foresight of Gen. Schriever remain ever relevant. Space superiority doesn’t happen by accident—it takes continual vision, courage, and commitment,” Field said. “We welcome servicemembers, units, senior leaders, AFA chapters, and spacepower advocates across the world to join us as we raise a toast to U.S. spacepower and leadership into the future.”

Join AFA as we continue to honor the legacy of those who made U.S. space power possible. Mark your calendars for next year’s Salute to Space on Friday, May 7, 2027.