AFA Honors Gulf War Veterans on 35th Anniversary of Desert Storm, Desert Shield

March 20, 2026

AFA’s Waterman-Twining Chapter in Tampa, Fla., commemorated the 35th anniversary of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm on March 6, 2026, at the Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park. The event was cohosted with the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County with the goal to honor five Desert Shield/Desert Storm veterans: one each from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Special Operations.

Over 150 veterans attended and the event was covered by five local TV stations.

VIPs in attendance were staff members from three local Florida Congressional Districts, a Hillsborough County Commissioner, who oversee both VCHC and the Veterans Memorial Park, a City of Tampa Councilman, the 13th Judicial Circuit Judge for Hillsborough County, the Director of the Hillsborough County’s Veteran Community Services and Veterans Memorial Park, and, most honored, the widow and daughter of the late, great Gen. “Stormin’” Norman Schwarzkopf.

The keynote speaker was the Dean of AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), who was the chief architect behind Operation Desert Storm’s air campaign. 

The five veterans and Deptula were presented with their awards by a representative from each service.

Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, delivers a keynote address at the 35th Anniversary Commemoration of Operation Desert Storm, hosted by AFA’s Waterman-Twining Chapter in Tampa, Fla., on March 6, 2026.

The Waterman-Twining Chapter coordinated with the 6th Air Refueling Wing from MacDill Air Force Base, who agreed to provide the presenter for the Air Force veteran award, the Wing Color Guard, a Base Chaplain, a singer for the National Anthem, and volunteers to help setup on the event date. The Chapter also coordinated with US CENTCOM and SOCOM, both from MacDill, to provide a presenter for the Navy veteran and Special Operations veteran, respectively.

The Marine award was presented by a retired Marine who was Representative Vern Buchanan’s Veteran and Military Liaison. Finally, we had General Schwartzkopf’s daughter present the award to the Army veteran.

The event was supported by Arnold Air Society cadet volunteers from University of South Florida’s AFROTC unit, who are all Chapter members.