Association of Air Force Missileers Strategic Plan

The Association of Air Force Missileers (AAFM) is a 501©3 non-profit organization focused on preserving the history of United States Air Force (USAF) nuclear missile systems and supporting those who operate, maintain, defend, develop, test, deploy, and support the ICBM nuclear deterrence mission.  

The “AAFM Strategic Plan” details the mission of the organization, provides a framework to develop enduring and growing relationships, and details focused actions to help meet strategic objectives.  This document is not intended to replace bylaws or operating instructions and is a living document establishing and guiding the Association’s professional identity and objectives. 

Who we are:

A community of individuals who understand and support the role Air Force nuclear missiles play in the defense of the United States.

Our Tenets – What We Believe:

• Defending America requires active participation of its citizens.
  

• A credible nuclear deterrent force is essential to US national security.
  
• A well-informed public is vital to supporting our military.
  
• AAFM is committed to educating and informing the public on US dependence on maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent.
  
• AAFM is a valued Wingman, advocating for Missileers and supporting heritage programs throughout the country.
  
• AAFM success depends upon growing a diverse and inclusive membership that is actively engaged in current issues.

Our Mission:

Support today’s Missileers, inform our membership and educate the general public on the enduring role Air Force nuclear missiles play, and preserve the long and rich history of nuclear missile missions.

AAFM Objectives:

#1. Educate populace on Air Force nuclear missile roles in the US nuclear triad.

#2. Highlight the nuclear missile mission contributions of Association members and current active duty force.

#3. Be a source of support for the active force and for all who have served and supported USAF nuclear missile weapon systems.

#4. Develop and maintain a Strategic Communications Plan to strengthen AAFM connection to current mission and today’s Missileers while preserving nuclear missile history.

#5. Establish scholarships and expand grant programs.

#6. Support the active force as Wingmen with shared experiences, uniting AAFM legacy with the current missions.

Strategy:

1.  In order to Educate populace on Air Force nuclear missile roles in the US nuclear triad, AAFM requires up-to-date understanding of related issues; access to relevant content and subject matter experts; and expertise in strategic communications.

• Establish an active, local AAFM liaison at Malmstrom, Minot, FE Warren, Vandenberg,  Kirtland, Barksdale and Hill AFBs charged to attend award ceremonies, commander’s calls, graduations, etc.  Equip liaisons with AAFM business cards and nametags
  
• Integrate internet links on https://www.afmissileers.org/ and Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for papers, briefings, and articles of interest
  
• Establish relationships with national security-focused organizations to fortify understanding of contemporary relevant issues
  
• Send a representative to related symposia, if appropriate
  
• Establish and maintain contact with HQ AF, AF Global Strike Command, AF Material Command, USSTRATCOM, 20AF, and other key organizations
  
• Be a recognized source for all types of missile expertise
  
• Develop agile media engagement to promote positive stories and to react to incomplete, uninformed or incorrect stories

2.  In order to Highlight the nuclear missile mission contributions of Association members and current active duty force, AAFM must become a focal point for news of accomplishments of Members and the current force, with multiple means to communicate

• Sponsor annual awards
  
• Sponsor Global Strike Challenge
  
• Establish leadership and Public Affairs links within HQ AF, COCOMs, MAJCOMs, and local communities
  
• Connect with all demographics through our website, social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram), and newsletter to transmit articles of positive impacts by missile professionals
  

3.  In order to Be a source of support for the active force and for all who have served and supported USAF nuclear missile weapon systems, AAFM must expand our membership and actively recruit a diverse leadership team to make us stronger and better at serving our membership and today’s force. 

• Recruit deliberately and broadly
  
• Update and maintain database of all members
  
• Recognize and promote anniversaries and contemporary accomplishments
  
• Be a central source of information for reunions
  
• Actively recruit qualified new Board Member candidates to perpetuate the traditions and prestige of AAFM and to accomplish its stated objectives (Nominating Committee)
  
• Establish, solicit and maintain a list of qualified Board Member candidates for even-year and out of cycle election processes (Nominating Committee)
• Vet and nominate candidates for Executive Director for the even-year and out of cycle election processes (Nominating Committee)
• Assist Executive Director in developing ballots for AAFM Board election processes (Nominating Committee)

4.  In order to Develop and maintain a Strategic Communications Plan to strengthen AAFM connection to current mission and today’s Missileers while preserving nuclear missile history, AAFM needs to acquire strategic communications know-how and agility to speed engagement on emerging relevant issues and opportunities, as well as to support our website, social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), and newsletter content and production.

• Identify all media outlets and platforms necessary for AAFM to achieve its communications objectives.  Additionally, identify how these efforts will be maintained.
  

• Identify resources required to support these efforts
  

• Plan and execute a Media Day to promote AAFM and its goals
  
• Develop agile media engagement to promote positive stories and to react to incomplete, uninformed or incorrect stories
  

5.  In order to Establish scholarships and expand grant programs, AAFM must define goals, scope and scale and ensure sufficient finances to support these important efforts.

• Establish scholarship program for Airmen at nuclear missile bases:  criteria, value, frequency
  
• Evaluate possible additional sources of funding for these initiatives
  
• Annually evaluate and approve worthy grant applications that enhance our missile heritage at museums with missile exhibits across America. The annual amount of grants is in the $10,000 range. AAFM has given over $300,000 since its inception in 1993
  
• Insure that AAFM’s missile museum brochure is available at over 30 museums to enhance visitor awareness of other museums with missile exhibits
  

6.  In order to Support the active force as Wingmen with shared experiences, uniting AAFM legacy with the current missions, AAFM must be actively engaged with today’s force.

• Develop recurring interactions with Missileers
  
• Leverage newsletter and social media to collect and produce content as a means to communicate with today’s force
• Solicit ideas from the active force to continue to adapt and improve cross-communication