Defender

Highlights of the Quarter

• Cyber Patriot III Competition Begins 
• $1K Family scholarships Awarded
• Fall 2010 Regional AFA Meeting in Ft Worth
• Preparations for Celebrate America's Mliltary Week

AFA News

CyberPatriot III off to a strong start

16 San Antonio teams enter the competition

The 2010 CyberPariot Cyber Defense Competition for High School Students is off to a strong start with 16 area high school teams entering the competition.  The AFA CyberPatriot Competition is combined with the San Antonio Mayor's Cup competition, and a local team will be presented the Mayor's Cup award on December 11, 2010.

AFA member and Cyber Competition Chairman Chris Cook states:  "This year the excitement is high. We have not had this level of interest before, and the Air Force Association and local sponsors are providing outstanding support for the local competition. We have eager coaches, mentors and student teams ready to learn and compete."  For more information about CyberPatriot, visit the San Antonio CPIII website.

CyberPatriot is the premier national high school cyber defense competition created to inspire high school students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. The competition was conceived by the Air Force Association, and national outreach was made possible by Northrop Grumman, the program’s presenting sponsor.

Coaches and mentors briefed

Chapter News

Alamo AFA Combat Breakfast and Celebrate America's Military Week

Alamo Chapter AFA will host the annual Combat Breakfast on Nov. 9, 2010, at the Kendrick Club on Randolph AFB at 7 a.m.  Members of the Air Force Recruiting Service, led by MSgt. Ernest Castillo, have volunteered to coordinate and execute the details of the Combat Breakfast again this year. 

The breakfast is one of many events sponsored by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to honor America's military from Nov. 1-11, 2010.  Our guest speaker will be Maj. Gen. A.J. Stewart, commander of the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB.  He will deliver a tribute to our men and women in uniform serving around the world.  Tickets for the breakfast are $10.50. When the online ticket registration is turned on, you will be able to purchase online at www.alamoafa.org using the Combat Breakfast link.

Celebrate America's Military Week Activities

NCO Academy Distinguished Graduates receive AFA memberships

Alamo AFA President Randy Coggins stated the Chapter has begun awarding a one-year membership to Distinguished Graduates of the Robert Gaylor NCO Academy at Lackland AFB.  The Gaylor NCO Academy graduates eight classes each year. The training consists of academics, leadership training and physical fitness.  The Alamo Chapter of the AFA recognizes the top ten percent of the class who are the "Distinguished Graduates.  These outstanding NCOs are a vital part of our association. We hope that as these NCOs take this important step in their career, they will recognize the value of the Air Force Association as the premiere oganization which supports their profession.   

A representative from the Chapter will provide an informational briefing on the benefits of AFA, and a representative will attend the NCOA graduation for each class.  Our goal is to educate the Air Force's future NCO leadership about the mission of AFA and let them know we exist for all ranks and need their membership and voice.

AFA Exposition planned for January 2011

The planning for the January, 2011 AFA Exposition in conjunction with the AETC/AFA Symposium and AETC Gala Dinner is on track, reports chairman Mike Nishimuta.  "We have a confirmed Title Sponsor with L-3 Communications, other sponsors at the Gold, Silver and Bronze Level, and a Hotel Key Card Sponsor. AETC has requested over 22,000 sq ft of exhibition space with 65 units, and commercial vendor requests are being solicited and handled by the Convention Services contractor, MC-2. " The AETC dinner on Friday, January 22 is a highlight you don't want to miss. For more information on the Exposition and Symposium, visit the website here.

Scholarship & Award Presentations

Alamo Chapter Sponsors Michael Milligan with Flight Indoctrination Program

Aerospace Education Foundation President and Daedalian National Director, David Pope, presents Mike Milligan with his Cadet Flight Introduction Program (CFIP) Solo Certificate at the Stinson Flight meeting in August at Ft. Sam Houston Golf Club.  Each year a board meets and selects "a few" good people for this highly competitive program.  This was the first year that the Alamo Chapter has sponsored an "aspiring" military pilot and both the results and the pride can be seen in those steely eyes.  A Samuel Clemens High School senior, Mike hopes to one day become the world's greatest fighter pilot.

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2011 AFA Kellogg-Loos Annual Awards Banquet

Mark your calendars and notify your oganizational leadership!  The 2011 AFA Kellogg-Loos Annual Awards Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, March 10, 2011.  Details will be coming later this fall through unit VPs via e-mail.  Please make sure your unit VP information is updated with the Alamo Chapter so there is no delay.  And remember to nominate your annual award winners to be recognized at the Chapter event and compete at the state level.  The project officer is Lt. Col. Debbie Landry, Deborah@alamoafa.org or Deborah.landry@us.af.mil.  Contact her with any questions, for additional information or to volunteer to help.

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     Arnold Air Society News

The Gen. John D. Ryan Arnold Air Society Squadron of the University of Texas at San Antonio  recently continued its long-standing tradition of the 24-hour POW/MIA remembrance run.  This run brings attention to the fact that men and women who bravely served the United States in war have not come home as they either remain prisoners of war or continue in their status as missing in action.  In addition to participants from Air Force ROTC, this run brought in current members of the Air Force and Army, UTSA sororities and fraternities, student athletes and students who donated funds to the POW/MIA table.

Chapter Events

Quick Calendar of Events

• Alamo AFA Executive Committee Meeting - Oct 12
• Fall Regional AFA Meeting, Ft Worth - Oct 29-30
• Spirit of America Dinner - Nov 3
• Pitsenbarger Awards, Randolph AFB - Nov 4
• Parade/Wreath Laying, Ft Sam Houston - Nov 6
• Air Show, Lackland AFB - Nov 6-7
• Combat Breakfast, Randolph AFB - Nov 9
• Alamo AFA Executive Committee Meeting - Nov 9
• Veterans Day Ceremony - Nov 11

Link to the Online Calendar

Fall convention registration ends October 22

Registration ends Oct 22 for the AFA Fall Regional Meeting Oct 29-30 at the Raddison at Fossil Creek, Ft Worth, Texas.

The registration form and more information is available on the AFA Texas website, www.texasafa.org, under Resources.

President's Column...

The Enlisted Force and AFA

AFA was founded on the premise that enlisted members and officers would serve side by side in the association, just as they do in the Air Force.

Likewise, AFA is not just for retired personnel or uniformed members of the Air Force.  AFA is an organization where membership is open to everyone and anyone who believes in a strong national defense and the role that air, space and cyber power plays in supporting our nation.

As an AFA member, you have an opportunity to participate in key leadership positions and develop skills and confidence that will help you in your career in the Air Force and other areas of your life.  Whether enlisted or officer, retired or still serving (Active, Guard or Reserve), in or out of uniform, AFA needs you.

I encourage you be become a member of AFA and join "The Force Behind the Force" and let's continue to keep our U.S. Air Force the greatest air, space and cyber force in the world.

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