AAFM's National Meeting History |
1994 AAFM was in its second year, and conducted the first National Meeting in Colorado Springs, CO. More than 120 members, spouses and guests gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in May. On Monday, we met for a welcome reception, and Tuesday, two busloads took a trip to Warren AFB, WY to visit the 90th Missile Wing. Others stayed and played golf at the Air Force Academy, and that evening, many visited the casinos in Cripple Creek. The next morning, attendees toured Air Force Space Command facilities at Peterson AFB, Falcon AFB and Cheyenne Mountain. That evening, we were entertained at dinner at the hotel by a country western group that was part of the Air Force Band of the Rockies.
Airboat Ride in Florida 1998 AAFM gathered in October at the Holiday Inn in Cocoa Beach, FL, with over 150 in attendance. We toured space launch facilities, including the space shuttle pad being readied for Senator John Glenn's trip in to space the following week, and on the second day, many took an airboat ride and dolphin cruise while others played golf. Many of us rose early the next day to see a Delta space launch, and that evening, Maj Gen Tom Neary, 20 AF Commander, was our featured banquet speaker.
2000 AAFM Board Meeting 2002 Once again, we met at the Santa Maria Inn, and toured Vandenberg and Hearst Castle. Over 200 attended, maxing out the facilities at the hotel. Once again, we had dinner one night at the Far Western, and many enjoyed the Vandenberg AFB golf course. Our banquet speaker was Gen Lance Lord, the new Commander of Air Force Space Command.
Breakfast at Little America
2006
For the first time, we met on an operational Minuteman and Peacekeeper base, Warren AFB, WY. Our host, Wing Commander Col Mike Carey, did an exceptional job of welcoming us with a great mission briefing and tours of ops, maintenance and helicopter facilities. We met at the Little America Hotel. Many toured local attractions and some enjoyed golf at the Warren course, and dined at the Western Heritage Museum and enjoyed some music. Gen Kevin Chilton, Commander of Air Force Space Command, spoke at our banquet, with more than 350 in attendance.
Flightline Tour at Davis Monthan |
AAFM Board Meeting in 1996 1996 We met in October in Santa Maria, CA, at the Santa Maria Inn. We toured Vandenberg space launch and missile training areas one day, had dinner at the Far Western, toured Solvang and local wineries, while some played golf, and featured Maj Gen Don Cook, 20th AF Commander, as speaker at our banquet. More than 150 attended.
Lunch at Vandenberg Golf Course 2000 We returned to Colorado Springs and used the Doubletree Hotel as our headquarters. Over 200 attendees toured Air Force Space Command facilities and experienced the Flying W cowboy show and dinner that evening. The next day, while many played golf, others toured the Air Force Academy, and our banquet featured Gen Ed Eberhart, the Commander of Air Force Space Command as our speaker.
Arriving at STRATCOM Headquarters 2004 We gathered at the Omaha Marriott and enjoyed tours and briefings at Offutt AFB, NE. We had dinner and tours at the Strategic Air and Space Museum, and a choice of local area tours, including the Omaha Zoo and the Durham Western Museum, or a day of golf at Pacific Springs. Gen Lance Lord introduced our banquet speaker, Admiral JamesEllis, the Commander of US Strategic Command. More than 180 attended our Omaha meeting.
Jay Kelley presents missile to Tom Reed 2008 AAFM gathered at the Hyatt Dulles hotel, outside Washington, DC, with more than 200 in attendance. On the first day, tours included the World War II Memorial, the Udvar Hazy Museum, the Pentagon and the Air Force Memorial. That evening, Jack Neufeld told us about the life of Gen Bernard Schriever. After the morning meetings the next day, many toured Mount Vernon. On the final day, two busloads of us spent the day at the Gettysburg National Park, with lunch in the historic Dobbins House Tavern. Our banquet featured former Secretary of the Air Force Thomas Reed as the speaker and the Air Force Strolling Strings for entertainment. Gen Schriever's widow, singer Joni James, was our special guest that evening. |
2010 AAFM met at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Tucson, AZ, with more than 250 in attendancese. The Commander of 12th Air Force hosted us for tours of the Combat Air Operations Center at Davis Monthan AFB, along with a visit to the flight line to see aircraft assigned to the base, combined with visit to the Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley. The next day, choices included a golf tournament or a tour of the Sonoran Desert Museum, with lunch at the museum, and San Xavier Mission. That evening, we toured the "Boneyard" before dinner and tours at the Pima Air Museum. Saturday included a tour of Old Tucson, and our speaker for the banquet was Lt Gen Frank Klotz, the Commander of the newly actiated Air Force Global Strike Command.
2012 A-06 Ceremony 2014 The Diamond Jack's Casino and Hotel in Bossier City, LA, was our headquarters, and Air Force Global Strike Command, 8th Air Force and the 2nd Bomb Wing hosted us for base tours and briefings. We had a great Cajun dinner at Ralph and Kacoo's, and the next day a choice of golf or tours of the Mardi Gras Museum, Louisiana Exposition Buiding, Red River Center and the Norton Art Museum. Lt Gen Steven Wilson spoke at our Wednesday night dinner and Undersecretary of the Air Force, Eric Fanning, at our banquet. We presented a painting by AAFM board member CMSgt (Ret) Joe Andrew to AFGSC during the meeting. Photos by Andrew Here
Joe Andrew's Painting at AFGSC 2018 We met in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with tours of FE Warren AFB and the local Cheyenne area, including the new state run Q01 Peacekeeper Museum. A reunion of the 3901st Strategic Missile Evaluation Squadron was part of the meeting. Our featured speaker was Lt Gen Tony Cotton, Commander of Air University. It was the final National Meeting organized and conducted by outgoing Executive Director Charlie Simpson and his wife Carol, and the new Executive Director, Jim Warner began his transition into the job. The event ended with a blizzard Saturday night, delaying the departure of many attendees the next morning.
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CAOC Tour at Davis Monthan
2012 AAFM Banquet
2020/21
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2022 After a four-year break, AAFM finally met in person at the Courtyard Marriott in Salt Lake City. Although attendance was at its lowest since the organization started, members in attendance were fortunate to get great insights into the sustainment of Minuteman III and the acquisition of Sentinel. On Thursday, the group was hosted by the 309th Missile Maintenance Group (MMXG). Briefings on the Ogden Air Logistics Center, 309th MMXG, and Minuteman III Program Office missions were followed by tours of depot maintenance activities. AAFM then supported the ribbon cutting of the new ICBM display at the Hill Museum. On Friday, Northrop Grumman hosted the group and provided insights into the upcoming acquisition of the Sentinel weapon system which included a tour of stage winding facility in Clearfield. Speakers during the week included CMSgt (Ret) Mark Silliman, Colonel Kristen Nemish, AFNWC/CV, Col Deane Konowicz, 20 AF/CV, and Brig Gen Stacy Jo Huser, NNSA. Copies of all the presentations that could be shared can be found here and minutes of the General membership meeting can be found here. |
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