AFA Funds Christmas Celebration for Families of the 645th AESS
January 27, 2025
AFA’s Northeast Texas Chapter 416 facilitated a $500 grant from AFA’s United Forces & Families (F2) program to support a Christmas party for families of the 645th Aeronautical Engineering Systems Squadron (AESS), in Greenville, Texas. The Chapter also invested funds that it raised during a golf tournament to support festivities for 120 attendees and free babysitting services for 10 families.
The event was also supported by the Chapter’s community partners, UHU Technologies and World Wide Lan Tec, Inc. These partners played a key role in the inaugural “Inspire Fundraiser,” which highlights the Chapter 416’s Advocates to Inspire Military Service (AIMS) efforts and its commitment to supporting service members.
“Seeing the family members be able to relax and enjoy the time together was a great sight,” said 645th Commander Lt. Col. Isaac E. Adcock. “The work AFA—both locally and nationally—puts into educating, advocating, and supporting our military members is seen and greatly appreciated.”
The 645th’s mission is to rapidly acquire, develop, modify, modernize, test, deliver, field, sustain, and retire globally integrated, high priority weapon systems and capabilities for the Air Force. The unit, located at the L3Harris plant in Greenville, provides oversight for contract work on the RC-135 fleet and other mission aircraft and systems managed by L3Harris. Squadron members frequently travel to support aircraft modifications, testing, and operations, placing significant stress on military personnel and their families.
Events like this holiday help foster health, morale, and welfare among military members and their loved ones.
“Covering the childcare costs for the children of the 10 families alone made all our fundraising efforts worthwhile,” said Master Sgt. Zach Hill, President of AFA Chapter 416.
“We cannot thank our local and national AFA organizations enough for their help and support over the years, and for this specific gift of time together for our family, both members and our squadron,” said Senior Master Sgt. Ashley Whitmore, senior enlisted leader of the 645th AESS.
To learn about Northeast Texas AFA416, visit netxafa.org.