Highlights of the Quarter

• Chapter wins big at National and State awards
• Alamo member gets Ph.D
• Tickets on sale now for annual AFA Combat Breakfast
• 10 AEF $1,000 scholarship winners announced
• Chapter meeting news
• Event updates

Chapter News

Registration now open for 2009 AFA Combat Breakfast

Alamo member wins AFA Exceptional Service Award

An Alamo chapter member was one of four recipients in the region of the AFA's 2009 Exceptional Service Award.

This award recognizes Dr. J. Sean Habina's continued commitment to AFA and her sustained contributions to the successes of the Alamo Chapter.

The exceptional service award is awarded to individual AFA members who have performed exceptional services for AFA in local, regional or national fields. The number of Exceptional Service Awards is limited by the awards committee to approximately one half the number of Medals of Merit awarded in each region.

The award was announced at the summer Texoma Region meeting in Plano, Texas. Texoma Region President Terry Cox recognized the AFA National Award winners and expressed his appreciation for their efforts at the event.

First AFA Texas Medal of Freedom winners in Alamo Chapter

Two Alamo chapter members are the first recipients of the AFA Texas Medal of Freedom.

Lieutenants Laura Newberg and Dave Jenkins were announced as winners at the AFA Texas meeting in Plano, Texas in July.

The AFA Texas Medal of Freedom is a new award that recognizes AFA members who have gone above and beyond in serving their chapters and AFA.

Newberg and Jenkins received the award for their work in planning the 2008 and 2009 Annual Awards Banquets.

Chapter President Gary Copsey announced at the Sept. 8 meeting that Jenkins was nominated for the award for his hard work as the Alamo Chapter Awards Banquet program manager in 2008.

AEF President Dave Pope presented Jenkins with the award at a commander's call on Sept. 29 on behalf of the chapter and AFA Texas.

Plans are underway for the presentation of Lt. Newberg's award.

Alamo member gets Ph.D in leadership studies

Alamo AFA member Col. John Blumentritt, Air Education and Training Command's director of safety, recently completed his Ph.D. in leadership studies through the School of Business and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University here.

Col. Blumentritt was actively involved in the chapter before trying to balance his full-time job with a four-year degree program.

With his doctorate complete, "Dr. Blumentritt" looks forward to renewed participation in the Alamo Chapter, he said.

Five chapter members awarded AFA Medal of Merit

Five members of the Alamo AFA chapter were awarded the 2009 AFA Medal of Merit out of nine total in the Texoma region.

Randy Coggins, Joan Lopez, Michael Nishimuta, David Pope, and Debra Westmoreland were the five Alamo Chapter winners.

The AFA Medit of Merit is awarded for exceptional service in local, regional or national fields and denotes great initiative on the part of the recipient for specific achievements.

The awards were announced at the Texoma Region meeting held in Plano, Texas, in July.

AFA goals discussed at state meeting

AFA's vice chairman of field operations, Jim Lauducci, discussed the Association's major goals at the Texoma Region meeting in July.

The AFA's major goals are to reverse declining membership and grow financial resources, Lauducci said.

Lauducci also discussed the 2009 National Budget and AFA's recent efforts which include a letter to the president of the United States and press releases on air dominance, long-range strike, personnel, search and rescue, missile defense, and the industrial base.

Alamo chapter receives best single program award

Several awards announced at Texoma Region Convention

The Texoma Region president announced Alamo Chapter would receive the Exceptional Service Award for Best Single Program at the Texoma Region Convention held in Plano, Texas, in July.

The award was presented at the AFA National Symposium in September.

The Texoma Region received nine Medals of Merit, five of which were Alamo Chapter members--Randy Coggins, Joan Lopez, Mike Nishimuta, Dave Pope, and Debra Westmoreland.

Texoma also received four Exceptional Service Awards. The Texas recipients are Alamo Chapter's Dr. Joyce Habina and Kelly Jones.

Texas AFA vacancies announced

The outgoing Texas AFA president announced openings on the state AFA staff at the recent Texoma Region meeting in Plano, Texas.

There are openings for State VP of Community Partners, Awards, and Scholastic awards said outgoing state president Dave Dietsch.

For more information about vacant positions and to contact the Texas AFA staff, visit the Texas AFA Web site at http://texasafa.org.

Alamo members stand up new Texas AFA Web site

Two Alamo chapter members helped Texas AFA stand up a new Web site.

Texas AFA representatives thanked Alamo chapter members Joan Lopez and Mike Nishimuta in the AFA Texas News for their work on standing up the new state Web page.

Check out the new site at http://texasafa.org.

Way to go Alamo!!

AAS, SW involvement pushed at 2009 Texoma Region Convention

Texoma Region Convention delegates pushed for greater AFA involvement with Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings alumni at the Texoma Region Convention meeting July 18 at the Southfork Hotel in Plano, Texas.

JAA members Leanne Babcock and Katrina Tabinowski spoke with AFA members at the conference about ways to get AAS and SW alumni more involved with AFA chapters.

Several Alamo Chapter delegates attended the Texoma Region Convention meeting.

Region convention addresses AFA plans for future

AFA officials discussed contributions, the AFA Thunderbird Society and the Aerospace Education Foundation's goals and actions at the recent Texoma Region Convention in Plano, Texas.

AFA's National Director and Co-Chairman of the Development Committee, Buster Horlen, briefed delegates about membership to The Wings Club. Contributors can become members with various levels of contributions from $150 to $15,000, Horlen said.

Horlen also spoke of AFA planned giving through a charitable trust in the AFA Thunderbird Society.

Alamo Chapter's Bill Croom spoke on behalf of the AEF council about aerospace education goals and actions. He outlined the development of the CyberPatriot program and urged everyone's support. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of computer defense for the future of the Air Force and AFA.

Jim Lauducci, AFA's Vice Chariman of the Board Field of Operations was also in attendance.

The meeting was held July 18 at the Southfork Hotel in Plano.

Alamo Chapter Aerospace Education Foundation News

AEF announces 10 winners of $1,000 family scholarships

After a record number of applications, the Alamo Chapter of the AFA's Aerospace Education Foundation is awarding $1,000 family scholarships to ten winners.

"Congratulations to each of the recipients," said Alamo AEF President David Pope. "We look forward to doing this again next year at the same time."

The winners of the 2009 Family Scholarships are:

Chris Blumentritt

Sonja Blumentritt

Caroline Coggins

Cristina Copsey

Dol Green

Amber Howell

Jaclynne Torres

Jaun Torres

Bradley Sturch

Steven Vaughn

For information on future scholarship opportunities keep reading the Defender and visit our Web site.

Link to the Alamo AFA Web site

Scholarship & Award Presentations

Chapter president presents two CAP awards at annual conference

CAP photo by Susan C. Robertson: Alamo Chapter President Gary Copsey presents the AFA Award for Senior Member of the Year to Lt. Col. Jonathan E. Reid. Also pictured is CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy Courter.

Chapter President Gary Copsey presented annual Civil Air Patrol awards to two CAP cadets on behalf of AFA National Headquarters at the CAP annual conference here Sept. 5.

Copsey presented the AFA award for CAP cadet of the year to Cadet Col. Kate A. Whitacre and the AFA award for CAP Senior Member of the Year to Lt. Col. Jonathan E. Reid.

CAP photo by Susan C. Robertson: Alamo Chapter President Gary Copsey presents the AFA Award for CAP Cadet of the Year to Cadet Col. Kate A. Whitacre at the CAP National Conference in San Antonio Sep. 5. Also pictured is CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy Courter.

Community Service

Chapter requests volunteers for Randolph Air Fest

Volunteers needed for 2010 AFA Exposition and Ball

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Plans for the 2010 AETC Symposium and AFA Expo are coming along strong. 

Approximately 70 sponsors, industry vendors, and military exhibitors have already committed to participate in the Expo.

The Chapter anticipates attendance of 3,500, making this the largest Symposium/Expo to date.

Several Alamo members have volunteered to assist and we welcome any other volunteers who would like to help.

The events will be held here January 2010.

If you are interested in volunteering to help with any part of the planning or execution of the events contact Randy Coggins at randy.coggins@thomasinstrument.com

To see pictures from the 2009 event click here

Chapter Events

Quick Calendar of Events

• AFA Combat Breakfast, Randolph AFB E'Club, 03 Nov
• Randolph AFB Air Show, Randolph AFB, 07-08 Nov
• AFA Executive Committee Meeting, USO, 10 Nov

Link to the Online Calendar

Help AFA celebrate America's military in November

Celebrate America's military week starts Nov. 3 and the Alamo AFA chapter is participating in several events to honor military members.

The events are planned to coincide with Veterans Day celebrations and take place throughout San Antonio.

CAM week kicks off with AFA's Combat Breakfast at the Kendrick Enlisted Club at Randolph Air Force Base. Tickets are on sale now through Oct. 23.

The next event is the Randolph AFB Air Show at Randolph AFB Nov. 7-8. Chapter member Sean Habina is heading our participation in the two-day event. Contact her if you would like to volunteer.

There will be an executive committee meeting Nov. 10 where we will discuss plans for Alamo Chapter participation in Veterans Day events.

For more information and to view the calendar of events, visit our Web site, www.alamoafa.org.

AFA booth at CAP National Conference

Volunteers signed up 28 new AFA members at the Civil Air Patrol National Conference in San Antonio Sept. 4-5.

Alamo Chapter members and cadets from the Lyndon Baines Johnson Arnold Air Society Squadron at Texas State University set up an AFA booth for the hundreds of CAP officers, delegates and members from around the country who were in attendance.

Volunteers who manned the booth over the Labor Day weekend included Tom Peterson, Ed Reynolds, Sean Habina, Mike Nishimuta, Douglas Nelson, Gary Copsey, and AAS cadets from the LBJ Squadron at Texas State University.

The new memberships included several lifetime memberships and multiple three-year memberships.

The event was part of a series of planned bi-lateral membership drives between AFA and CAP. The CAP and AFA have a strong common interest in aerospace education, scholarships, and creating opportunities for our future citizens.

The organizations have even created a new pin for members of both organizations which features the AFA and CAP logos and the words, "Partners in Aerospace Excellence" inscribed on them.

Chapter member Bill Croom also gave an AFA briefing at the event.

AFA Chairman of the Board visits Randolph AFB

AFA's chairman of the board met with AF members at a meeting at Randolph Air Force Base's Parr O'Club Sept. 22.

The Alamo AFA Chapter hosted the event where Mr. Joe Sutter met with Airmen from Randolph AFB and the San Antonio area to discuss AFA's goals and to find out about key issues on the minds of today's Airmen.

Some of the organizations in attendance included Randolph AFB's Middle Tier, Top 3, and the Company Grade Officers Council.

The Alamo AFA Chapter would like to thank Mr. Jim Sturch for making the arrangements at Randolph AFB.

Joint AAS, SW, AFA Texas meeting to be held in Austin

President's Column...

Are You Committed?

These cadets are at a point in their lives where they have choices that will be critical to their future and that of our nation…so I wanted to drive home the point that commitment in all one does will make the difference. Involvement is nice, but commitment is the key.

Why am I sharing this with you? I’ve said this before, but it’s worth saying again: we’re blessed in the Alamo Chapter with having some very committed volunteers who have made a tremendous difference in our success and in serving the Air Force and AFA communities. But (always a “but…”) we need more commitment from our membership to take our chapter to higher achievement in supporting AFA national goals and objectives.

We are becoming a chapter with the ability to do that more than ever before, and that was acknowledged this past month at the AFA National Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C. where we were recognized as having the “Best Program of the Year.” To continue this, we need your commitment to help make it all happen!

Alamo Chapter AFA Community Partners

We wish to thank our Community Partners who continue to support the AFA
and make our programs possible...
We could not do it without you!
For information on our community partner program and how to join, see our
website at www.alamoafa.org. Our VP for Community Partners is John Dipiero

Alamo Chapter Air Force Association

P.O. Box 34261
San Antonio, TX 78265-4261

www.alamoafa.org