Air Force Association General Charles A. Gabriel Chapter

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1 Visit us on the web! Air Force Association General Charles A. Gabriel Chapter Quarterly Newsletter Message from the Chapter President Volume 2016, Issue 1 Dear Gabriel Chapter and AFA Members and Friends, Friday is the first day of April and at this time of year; I remember my father s birthday. Dad was born 18 April He was a Korean War-era aviation cadet who took initial training at Bainbridge, Georgia in He received his first flight in a Stearman that was as old as he was but did most of his training in the venerable T-6, Texan. Dad may have kissed the Blarney Stone one time too many, because he told me he also flew the F-51, the F-86, and either the F-80 or T-33, all before he received his wings! On one of these early jet proficiency flights the cabin heat failed while he was at altitude. Dad didn t notice because the single-engine jet didn t require a lot of rudder. But by the time he landed, his legs were nearly frozen and he had severe frostbite. The frostbite caused blood clots in his legs and that was the end of his flying career. His wing commander pinned his wings on his chest while he lay in a hospital bed at Walter Reed. He was discharged and went on to a career as a general contractor building houses throughout the mid- Atlantic. We lost him four Springs ago. He had just turned 84. But, it s Dad s birthday that I remember. He turned thirteen on the day that the Doolittle Raid demonstrated the importance and strategic significance of American airpower. Lieutenant Colonel James Jimmy Doolittle, later the founder and first president of the AFA, led 16 modified B-25 Mitchell medium bombers to attack the Japanese capitol, a scant 4 months after Pearl Harbor. In what some have called the first Joint operation, Doolittle and his crews launched far out in the Pacific Ocean from the deck of an aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. They planned to attack military targets in Japan and then land in China. Fifteen aircraft reached China, but all crashed. The sixteenth landed at Vladivostok in the USSR, where the aircraft was confiscated and the Airmen were interred for more than a year. All but 3 of the 80 crew members survived the daring raid. Eight were captured by the Japanese and three of those were later executed. The Raid caused negligible material damage but had a devastating effect on Japanese morale. Moreover, the attack changed the strategic alignment in the Pacific as the Japanese committed more naval forces to picket defenses and protection of the home islands. Ultimately, the Raid contributed to the Japanese 1 of 14

2 Visit us on the web! decision to seize Midway Island and set the stage for the decisive strategic defeat of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Not a bad birthday present for a 13-year-old. Spring is also Budget Season and the roll out of the Service proposals for the FY2017 Defense Budget is scary. All four Services are taking similar risks to comply with an austere budget: Deferring O&M on fixed resources buildings, plant, and equipment Delaying or deferring Military Construction (MILCON ) Army, Navy, and Air Force have smallest MILCON programs in decades Each is balancing modernization and readiness meaning delaying new acquisitions to sustain current forces Air Force and Navy are delaying procurements to protect their priority programs. For the Navy these are: Ohio replacement, CVN-78 (USS Gerald R. Ford and Ford-class carriers), SSN-774 (and Virginia-class fast attack boats) modifications to add Tomahawk tubes, DDG-51 (Arleigh Burke-class destroyer) for missile defense. Air Force priorities are: KC-46 tanker, the Long- Range Bomber System (LRBS), and continued buys of the F-35 Our fiscal environment is leaving the Air Force as the oldest, smallest, and busiest that it has ever been. I cannot help but think that such austerity can only leave us unprepared for a future conflict. If the United States does endure another Pearl Harbor, will its Air Force have the wherewithal to deliver another Doolittle Raid? As I often remind you in these pages, stay vigilant, pay attention to the issues and make your voice heard in the ongoing debate. Tell your friends and neighbors about the state of our Air Force and what you believe about the importance of a strong Air Force to our national security. Tell your elected representatives what you think. Our Association advises and advocates in order to advance our goals. AFA supports the USAF s top acquisition priorities [F-35, KC-46, Long Range Bomber System (LRBS)]. We must embrace those goals and support them with action. I also ask that you consider acting closer to home. Please consider how you can serve the Chapter. We have many vacancies on our staff. Our ability to serve the chapter membership and the goals of the Association are only as great as those who volunteer. See you at our next Chapter luncheon in April and our Annual Awards Luncheon in May. John Dallas Kennedy President General Charles A. Gabriel Chapter Air Force Association 2 of 14

3 Chapter Activities National Reconnaissance Office Honors Exceptional Performers The Air Force Element (AFELM) of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) invited the Gabriel Chapter to participate in their annual awards presentation. Chapter President Dallas Kennedy and Chapter Secretary Joseph Burke were honored guests at the AFELM award ceremony. Major General Stephen Denker, Deputy Director of the NRO and Commander of the AFELM, presided over the event. Recognized for their exceptional performance were: Lieutenant Colonel Raj Agrawal, Field Grade Officer of the Year Captain Aaron Kelley, Company Grade Officer of the Year Senior Master Sergeant Angela M. Sanders, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Technical Sergeant Daniel Shantier, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Senior Airman Corey A. Laupert, Airman of the Year The Gabriel Chapter has recognized each award winner with a complimentary one-year membership in the AFA. Congratulations to all the nominees. Thanks to AFELM Senior Enlisted Leader, Chief Master Sergeant Kevin L. McCall, USAF, for his support to the chapter. And special thanks to Master Sergeant Travis Tauzier, USAF, Operations Flight Chief for organizing the event and coordinating the participation of the Gabriel Chapter. Gabriel Chapter Kicks-Off Cyberpatriot VIII at Chantilly Academy At least ten schools and about 60 students are among the ten teams competing from Chantilly Governor's STEM Academy this year. At the training session on Veteran s Day, the mood was tense with excited anticipation, just three days before the first round of competition. Chantilly is fully committed with teachers Davi Anson and George Bennet as lead coaches and Bonnie Wanette as the School program lead. AFA Gabriel Chapter and Chantilly initiated the first Open Teams seven years ago and fielded the National Champion team in With the technical expertise of Northrup Grumman and AFA Gabriel Chapter members the academy hosted a summer Cyber Security Camp and continues with weekly practices Gabriel Chapter VP Aerospace Education and 2015 Emerging Leader, Brad Wilkins leads CP practice session at Chantilly Academy through the school year. Terry Levoy, AFA Gabriel Chapter member and Northrop Grumman employee, is a Cyber Patriot legend who has been with the competition from day one, even driving to Chantilly directly from an international flight once to run the competition. Gina Giles snaps a selfie with Chapter Member Terry Lavoy and Cyberpatriot coach George Bennet AFA Gabriel Chapter VP for Aerospace Education Brad Wilkins is the Linux expert who dedicates evenings and weekends to instruct 3 of 14

4 the teams. Brad is also an AFA Emerging Leader for AFA Gabriel Chapter member, Gina Giles is a long-time supporter of the program and the Chapter s affiliation with Chantilly Academy. Each year, she sets up the support and assists with the competitions, providing food funded by the Gabriel Chapter. Brigadier General Scott Goldstein Briefs Gabriel Chapter Chapter President Dallas Kennedy presents Brigadier General Scott Goldstein with a desk ornament representing the Air Force Memorial, in appreciation for his presentation at our February meeting and his long friendship to the Gabriel Chapter About 40 chapter members and guests were treated to an overview of Space acquisition priorities by Brigadier General Jay Scott Goldstein, USAFR, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center. General Goldstein is an experienced acquisition, cyber and space operations professional. He began his military career in the U.S. Army and transferred to the Air Force in As a developmental engineer, he made significant contributions to ISR and communications systems, earning 15 Air Force Scientific Achievement Awards. He led Secretary of Defense authorized space and cyber activities during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and helped craft the nation's future space architecture and the national cyber strategy at both the Joint Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Prior to his current assignment, General Goldstein was the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, where he was responsible for assisting the Commander in managing a $4 billion science and technology program and a global workforce of approximately 6,000 people. In his civilian capacity, General Goldstein is an industry executive with extensive leadership and management experience as well as engineering expertise. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles/book chapters and holds five U.S. patents on advanced topics in detection theory, information theory, data compression, ISR and communications systems. General Goldstein gave a terrific overview of the organization of SMC and the relation of the Space and Missile Center to other elements of the Air Force acquisition community. He also clarified the role of Air Force Space Command in setting requirements and budget priorities. The presentation was an excellent complement to the November presentation by Major General Roger Teague, USAF, Director, Space Programs (SAF/AQS). General Goldstein and his wife, Polly, have been closely associated with the Gabriel Chapter for many years and it was a pleasure to host them at our February meeting. Chapter Members Honor Veterans through Wreaths across America Gabriel Chapter Vice President Pat Rocke led a team of volunteers to distribute Christmas garland at the Wreaths Across America Event On December 10, 2015, Gabriel Chapter Vice President, Pat Rocke, organized a Truck Crew for the annual Wreaths Across America to show respect and honor our veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Pat was one of more than 50 crew chiefs for tractor trailers bringing wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. Gabriel Chapter members joined volunteers, family and friends to distribute nearly 5,000 wreaths to members of the public, who placed the wreaths on grave stones with a mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach. 4 of 14

5 As the host Chapter, the Gabriel Team invited Virginia AFA Chapter Presidents and the State Executive Council members to a reception and dinner Saturday night, where chapter members met State, National, and Chapter leaders. Gabriel Chapter President, Dallas Kennedy, helped load a dumpster with more than 5,000 wreaths recovered from markers of veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. In February, Pat was a dumpster crew chief for the recovery effort to clear the decorative wreaths from the grave markers, after they had served their purpose over the holidays. Marshalling on a bitterly cold morning, Pat led a team to collect wreaths for removal. More than 80,000 volunteers swarmed the cemetery and made fast work of the clean-up effort. They cleared the 230,000 gravesites in less than three hours. State AFA Meeting, March 2016 Each quarter, one of the nine Virginia chapters hosts the Virginia State Air Force Association Quarterly Meeting. In March 2016, Gabriel Chapter once again hosted the event. The event is attended by representative from each chapter and the State AFA Staff. Festivities began Friday night with a hospitality welcome. Business sessions occurred during the day on Saturday. The State Excom was treated to a visit by AFA President, General (ret) Larry Spencer, who addressed the Virginia team. AFA President General (ret) Larry Spencer Greets the Virginia State AFA Meeting General (ret) Larry Spencer, President of the Air Force Association, took advantage of the site of their quarterly meeting at the AFA Headquarters building to speak directly to the Virginia State Excom. With more than 9,200 members, the Virginia AFA comprises nearly 10% of the entire membership of the Association. Spencer noted that AFA has accomplished a great deal in support of the Air Force, most of which is not well known. The Community College of the AF, Chief Master Sergeant of the AF, the 12 Outstanding Airmen program, and the Air Force Memorial were all initiatives that came from the AFA and are executed with the support of AFA. Spencer is concerned about challenges recruiting and retaining members, particularly for our chapters not located near an active duty base. We have approximately 95,000 members in AFA. General Spencer expressed concern about the difficulty demonstrating the value we provide to active duty in terms they would understand. He noted that average age of an AFA member is 68 years old and that 55% of our members are retirees. In contrast only 15% of our members are on Active Duty, while Guard and Reserve comprise less than 5% of our membership. Gabriel Chapter Member, Eric Burke, asked if there is a way to network with the Military Enlistment Processing centers in order to recruit new Airman while they are awaiting entry and other recruits awaiting orders. General Spencer agreed to follow up on the suggestion. The AFA is a $20M organization with membership dues covering about 15% of the revenue. It s imperative that the Association develop other sources of revenue, like corporate sponsorship of the Annual Air, Space, and Cyber Conference each September. 5 of 14

6 Bomber Pilot Addresses March Chapter Meeting In conjunction with the Virginia AFA Quarterly State Meeting, the Gabriel Chapter hosted our monthly membership meeting, a dinner featuring Maj Gen Scott Vander Hamm, USAF, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Ruby Hovatter and Linda McMahon Trouble Chapter President Dallas Kennedy presents a Chapter Challenge Coin to Maj Gen Scott Vander Hamm at the March Membership dinner (HAF/A3). General Vander Hamm is a bomber pilot. Period. His background includes both flying and staff assignments and command at the squadron, group, wing, and numbered air force. As the 325th Bomb Squadron Commander, he employed the B-2 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and led a team during the initial phases of the operation that destroyed essential leadership and military targets. As the 7th Operations Group Commander, he led the expeditionary group of B-1s and KC-135s to combat in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and flew more than 900 combat and combat support missions. As the 28th Bomb Wing Commander, his wing supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and introduced the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod in combat, 55 days after the first training flight. As 509th Bomb Wing Commander, he directed B-2 strikes in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn that destroyed aircraft and hardened shelters in Libya. This Saturday evening dinner event was held in the ballroom at the top of the Key Bridge Marriott overlooking the Georgetown Waterfront in Washington, DC. More than 50 people attended from the Gabriel Chapter and the State Executive Council. General Vander Hamm and his wife Johanna were delightful guests and General Vander Hamm s presentation on the need for the long Range Bomber System was well received. Chapter President Dallas Kennedy presented General Vander Hamm with a numbered Chapter Challenge coin, in appreciation for his presentation and participation in the evening s festivities. Also attending the special event were AFA Chairman of the Board, Scott Van Cleef and his wife, Barbara. AFA National Director Peter Jones was also in attendance, but his better half, Louise, was under the weather. Gabriel Chapter favorite son and AFA National Director Lt Gen (ret) Chuck Heflebower celebrated the evening with his wife, Susan. Other notables joining the Chapter were AFA Central East Region President Gavin MacAloon and Virginia AFA State President Jimmy JR Ruth. Chapter Leaders Meet With Virginia State Delegates On Tuesday, March 29th, Chapter President Dallas Kennedy, Secretary Joseph Burke and VP for Government Affairs Lee Rizzo joined Virginia State AFA VP for Government Affairs Peter Jones to meet with Virginia House Delegates Tim Hugo and Richard Anderson. Delegate Hugo has represented the Virginia 40th district since 2002 and is a former Army NCO while Delegate Anderson has served Delegate Tim Hugo (VA 40) 6 of 14

7 Virginia s 51st district since retiring as a Colonel from the Air Force in During the meeting we discussed AFA s support to STEM education through the CyberPatriot and StellarXplorers programs, awards for teachers in Delegate Hugo s district, as well as numerous other key topics of interest at both the chapter and state level. The results of the meeting were highly positive and both representatives graciously offered to support AFA s activities in the future. Delegate Anderson is very familiar with the work of the Joint Leadership Council of Veteran Service Organizations in the State. He recited back to us the priorities of the JLC that our group had prepared to present to Delegates Hugo and Anderson. Both are committed to serving the Veterans of Virginia. Delegate Richard Anderson (VA 51) Who Will Be The Next CyberPatriot National Champion? The CyberPatriot VIII National Cyber Defense Competition will be kicking off their much anticipated National Finals April in Baltimore, Maryland. The competition, which grew by 55% with more than 3,300 teams registered, will feature challenges that require students to defend virtual networks and mobile devices from a professional aggressor team. Chapter Council Elections Coming Soon Do you ever say to yourself, "All this stuff is okay, but when is the Chapter going to do something I want to do?" "I am fed up with the same old stuff. Somebody should do something about it." "Heck, I could do a better job than the clowns running this Chapter!" Well, now's your chance to quit talking about it and DO something. In accordance with our Chapter Constitution, we are electing officers for the term beginning 1 October Article VI, Section 1 requires that "The election of officers shall occur once every two years in the third quarter of the second Operating Year." In accordance with Article VII, Section 1, we are accepting nominations for the four elected positions: President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Process. The election committee will accept nominations from the membership via . Any member wishing to be considered for one of the four elected positions should send an to john.kennedy@afa-gabriel.org. Nominations must be seconded by another member in good standing. The committee will put together a slate of all candidates in support of whom we have received at least two s. We plan to present the slate of candidates at our August 2016 meeting so please submit your nominations before the meeting. The election will be held by (IAW Article VII, Section 1) and the results will be announced before the AFA National Convention September. The new officers will assume their duties 1 October 2016 for a 2-year term. Chapter Council Vacancies The Chapter is in desperate need to fill the VP for Chapter Events. We are looking for volunteers to fill other vacancies on the Chapter Council, as well. Interested members should contact Chapter President Dallas Kennedy at john.kennedy@afa-gabriel.org or any member of the Chapter Council. 7 of 14

8 VP Chapter Events Vacant VP Awards and Recognition Vacant VP Veterans Affairs Vacant Save the Date Our next AFA Gabriel Chapter lunch meeting will be April 12, 2016 at Clyde s in Tysons Corner. Our annual Chapter Awards Luncheon is 10 May We are planning the event at Ciao Osteria, to recognize our Community Partner. Details are forthcoming. Honoring Our Fallen Comrades This is a new section of our newsletter to recognize the service and sacrifice of our fellow airmen and Gabriel Chapter members, who have gone to their final reward. If you would like to recognize a fallen comrade or family member in these pages, please send information to our VP Communications at afa_gabriel_chapter@afa-gabriel.org PAUL GOODRICH DWYER, COLONEL (Ret.) USAF died November 5, 2015 surrounded by family and friends at Reston Hospital Center. He was 75. His work as an Air Force officer specializing in communications took him around the world, and confirmed in him a sense of enduring patriotism and service. Born November 21, 1939, in Franklin, Pennsylvania, Paul (known to childhood friends as Punch ) served in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years, enlisting at age 17 upon graduation from high school. He worked first as a radio and navigational aids repairman, at Presque Isle AFB, Maine, where one day he and others watched from the tower as the renowned test pilot Jackie Cochran made an emergency landing in a top secret U2 spy plane. His next assignment took him to Berlin, Germany, where in 1961 he witnessed the construction of the Berlin Wall. Upon completion of the Air Force s Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 1962, Paul became a communications staff officer with assignments in South Carolina, Virginia and at the Pentagon. By 1964 Paul was sent to Viet Nam where he installed Direct Air Support and Close Air Support Nets for the South Vietnamese Army and their U.S. Army advisors. He loved dangling his legs from helicopters, and later described this as an assignment where he felt he made a real difference. In 1977, after four years near Stuttgart, Germany, Major Dwyer was working for the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) in Colorado Springs, when he met and married his wife Cynthia. In 1978, Paul was stationed at a site on the Shah s private game preserve outside Tehran, Iran, just prior to the Iranian Revolution. One night he phoned Cindy to tell her he would be late for dinner because a lion was blocking the door to the building. Both he and Cindy were evacuated from Tehran in 1979, Paul on the last military plane out of the country. He felt the film Argo captured perfectly his experience at the airport where he was detained at gunpoint as a suspected CIA agent. Paul later served in the Reagan White House as Deputy Director of the White House Communications Agency, and retired from the Air Force in 1987 after his final assignment in Sembach, Germany. Paul earned degrees from the University of Nebraska, Webster University and the Air War College. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the 8 of 14

9 Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Paul and Cindy dedicated the past 12 years to supporting wounded warriors and their families at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Ft. Belvoir. Paul s off-beat humor and curiosity put the young women and men he met at ease. Paul and Cindy hosted many soldiers and their family members in their home, often sharing holidays with them. They organized 76 clothing distributions to provide gently-used clothing, including thousands of suits, to soldiers beginning new lives and careers. They also provided ball gowns for various military balls and other occasions in the DC area. A two-time cancer survivor, Paul was an avid skier and runner for more than 60 years. He completed more than 40 marathons, ran numerous 50-mile races, and completed the Umstead 100-mile race in Raleigh, NC, at the age of 65 in just over 28 hours. He loved traveling with friends, visiting destinations as far flung as Russia and Patagonia. Ironically Paul was not fond of flying, preferring long road trips throughout the U.S., especially Alaska, the Rockies and the national parks of the west. Beloved by those who knew him, Paul will be remembered for the twinkle in his eye, his mischievous sense of humor, his love of music, his annual Christmas poem, his compassion for the less fortunate, and his ability to put anyone at ease, particularly the young soldiers at Walter Reed and Fort Belvoir. A celebration of Paul s life was held at Westwood Country Club, in Vienna, Va., on Saturday, November 21 at 11:00 am. Paul will be buried with Full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery at the Old Post Chapel at 11 AM on March 10, with internment immediately afterwards. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Other Items in the News AFA Renames Premier Annual Conference The Air Force Association s guiding purpose is to promote a dominant United States Air Force - one that wins in air, space and cyberspace. Cyber is a critical aspect of everything we do as a nation, and we see a strong need to provide emphasis to this mission area in our flagship event. We are pleased to announce the new name of our premier conference as the AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference! Registration opens May1. Visit afa.org/airspacecyber now. AFA and Virginia Veterans Your AFA is represented by Governor s appointment to the Joint Leadership Council (JLC) of Veterans Services Organizations. This Council gives one voice to the interests of more than 840,000 Virginia veterans. The JLC supports the Department of Veteran Affairs and provides direct input to the Governor and General Assembly for annual budget items and legislation to further the interests of veterans and their families in Virginia. The stated goal is to make Virginia the most veteran friendly state in the union. Major programs of interest are the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (not to be confused with the national Wounded Warrior Project), the construction of two new Veteran Care Centers (one in Hampton Roads), the maintenance of three Veteran Cemeteries (one in Suffolk), support for the Virginia War Memorial, and specific programs like the Veterans, Education, Training and Employment. 9 of 14

10 For questions about the JLC or to make input, contact Bart Barton, Virginia Department of Veteran Services Re-brands Program for Wounded Veterans Virginia State AFA VP for Veteran Affairs, Bart Barton discusses the difference between the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program and the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Basically, the former is administered by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and the latter is a national non-profit. The two are distinct veteran support programs with different means and target audiences. DVS has recently announced the rebranding of the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program as Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS). The name change is effective on October 1 and all the contact information is available on the DVS website at So you ask why change the program s name? DVS strives to take a wellness approach to their services to veterans and families. Over time, the words wounded and warrior have been over-used and can be a distraction for those vets and family members that are looking for support from the Virginia program. For example, a vet coping with behavioral health concerns may not identify with the wounded label unless they are physically injured or disabled. Additionally, the term warrior may either be inaccurate or, worse, not apply to all those eligible for assistance. Finally, nonveterans served such as family members do not see themselves as wounded or warriors. The name change will also avoid the continuing brand confusion with the WWP. This national organization has many objectives that are not the same as the Virginia program. By offering a comprehensive approach of behavioral health, rehabilitative and support services to all Virginia vets, the Virginia program stands apart from the national one. As this is simply a branding change, all the previously offered services will remain the same. The VVFS will continue to serve Virginia s veterans coping with the impact of military service, deployments, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and stress or trauma related conditions such as PTSD from military service. VVFS with continue to be the health-care safety net for all Virginia veterans, including National Guard and Reserve Component service members and their families. VVFS will also continue to provide a dedicated outreach to Virginia s most vulnerable vets including those experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness or those incarcerated. You can help by getting the word out to those who would benefit from these services. To reach a VVFS office in your area or for further information or assistance, call the VVFS toll free number or the VA Veterans Crisis Line Wounded Airmen The Wounded Airman Program s MOU was signed in October, 2013, and since then we ve been spreading the word about the program, diligently reporting our efforts to the Air Force, fundraising, and supporting Airmen where there s need. Our partnership with the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program continues to strengthen. For those unfamiliar with the AFW2 Program, the program works hand-inhand with the Air Force Survivor Assistance Program and Airman and Family Readiness Centers to ensure Airmen receive professional support and care from point of injury, through separation or retirement, for life. Chapters have taken it upon themselves to fundraise and plan for the year ahead based on events, need, and Airmen in their local areas. They have also responded financially, and with time, manpower, and other resources when called upon, to reach out in their local communities. We continue to build guidelines to best work together. The Gabriel Chapter is looking for volunteers to help build our own program to support the work of AFW2. If you are interested in helping develop this program for the Chapter, contact afa_gabriel_chapter@afa-gabriel.org Chapter Corporate Sponsor: General Dynamics Mission Systems Through the special efforts of Chapter Member Al Moore, General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) in Crystal City, Virginia has become a Silver-Level Chapter Sponsor. 10 of 14

11 In recognition of designation as a Silver-Level Chapter Corporate Sponsor, GDMS will receive: Identification as a Community Partner of the Gabriel Chapter with a Cherrywood plaque and two individual memberships to the Air Force Association Recognition as a Chapter Corporate Sponsor on the Chapter Website afagabriel.org. Invitations to all Chapter events and one reserved seat at monthly membership luncheons Invitations to Chapter membership meetings If you would like more information on the Gabriel Chapter Corporate Sponsor program, contact afa_gabriel_chapter@afagabriel.org Highlight on Community Partner Ciao Osteria The Gabriel Chapter is proud to acknowledge Ciao Osteria restaurant in Centerville Virginia ( as a Community Partner. The owner, Sal Speziale, USAFA Alum ( 78) is former USAF fighter and test pilot. The food is excellent and they have a wonderful wine list. But make sure you reserve a table on the weekends because it is the most popular new restaurant in our AOR. Gabriel Chapter Welcomes Community Partner PowerTek Powertek Corporation is a creative and innovative women-owned business with service solutions spanning the entire life cycle of Information Technology. The company supports U.S. Government customers in the defense, law enforcement, and civilian sectors. Powertek perfects partnerships among personnel, team members, and the customer to transform technology challenges into advanced business process solutions. Projects range from design and development to integration and operations. The company s core service areas include Enterprise Infrastructure Services; Systems Architecture and Application Engineering; Program and Performance Management; and Cyber Security and Information Assurance. Leveraging technology since 2001, Powertek has a Top Secret facility clearance and was named by CIO Review as one of the 20 most promising defense solution providers in The company is International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000:2008 and ISO :2011 registered, and has been appraised at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Maturity Level 3 (CMMI ML3). We are delighted to welcome local technology leader Powertek Corporation as a Gabriel Chapter Community Partner. By affiliating with AFA, our Partners join with other AFA members worldwide to support policies and programs that provide the Air Force with the trained men and women and the modern weapon systems needed to fulfill its missions and help assure America has a deterrent force sufficient to ensure this nation s peace and security. Partners designated members receive AFA s monthly publication, Air Force Magazine. The magazine allows them to keep abreast of AF matters through an informative and entertaining mix of articles on a wide variety of subjects, including new weapons and aircraft, national defense issues, legislative reports, first-person 11 of 14

12 accounts of air operations, book reviews, and much more. Gabriel Chapter Welcomes Community Partner Synaptek Synaptek Corporation is an 8(a) certified small disadvantaged business (SDB) established in 2008 to provide imaginative and innovative IT services and solutions to the Federal Government. Synaptek a full spectrum Information Technology services provider, focused on providing mission-aligned, costeffective enterprise solutions and support that enable the Government to leverage advanced technologies to improve services, increase efficiencies, and better perform their missions. Their expertise spans IT service solutions, technical support, strategic planning, systems and software engineering, design and development, integration, implementation support, architectural development, data migration, enterprise architecture, training, enterprise network engineering, cyber security, and operations and maintenance. We are delighted to welcome local technology leader Synaptek Corporation as a Gabriel Chapter Community Partner. Gabriel Chapter Welcomes Community Partner MSAG MicroSystems Automation Group (MSAG) is a service disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) providing subject matter expertise, program management, and technological solutions for government and commercial clients since MSAG has a rich history of working with customers to understand their business problems, and leveraging technical expertise and knowledge to deliver solutions that improve business performance, reduce costs, and most importantly, allows its clients to serve better their customers. The MSAG philosophy is to develop a long-term working relationship and work to understand the customer s long-term goals beyond the requirements. MicroSystems Automation Group (MSAG) with a Top Secret facility clearance has been leveraging technology to help Federal, state, and local government clients work more effectively and efficiently for more than 28 years. MSAG is one of the Washington region s Fastest Growing Companies (number 9), is International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000:2008 registered, and has been appraised at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Maturity Level 2 (CMMI ML2). MSAG was recently awarded the Department of State (DoS) Small Business Contractor of the Year Award of Excellence for 2015 and continues to be in the Inc 5000 for the 3rd year in a row. We are delighted to welcome local technology leader MicroSystems Automation Group (MSAG) as a Gabriel Chapter Community Partner. Gabriel Chapter Welcomes Community Partner Link Solutions At our June Awards Luncheon, the Gabriel Chapter was pleased to recognize our Community Partner. David Joslin, COO, for Link Solutions accepted a handsome Cherrywood plaque to be proudly displayed in their business area to instantly identify our Partners. With this identification, military members and retirees in Northern Virginia will recognize our Partners as supporters of Gabriel Chapter and AFA programs. Since inception, LSi has developed expertise in the design, development, and management of IT applications and systems, management of business operations, and delivery of development services. We partner with our clients to deliver state of the art services that exceed current needs and meet all long term business objectives 12 of 14

13 Air Force Association e-membership AFA is announcing a new membership option, the emember. This is an exciting new initiative brought forth by our national Membership Committee. emembers will be identical to a traditional member in every way except they will not receive the print copy of Air Force Magazine. Instead, they will receive an online version of the magazine only. They will receive all other current member benefits. emembers are eligible to hold office, vote, and in every way enjoy the benefits of an AFA membership. For now, ememberships will be available as one-year memberships only and will cost $30. We are entering a new and exciting period in AFA in which we aim to turn around membership decline, attract younger members who prefer the digital format, and expand AFA s outreach to influence the public through digital content. We believe the emember option will provide a valuable addition to your membership recruitment efforts in the Field. Spread the word among your friends and neighbors who want to support America s air arm at a discounted price. For more information go to Chapter Finances Gabriel Chapter Treasurer, Nancy Cribb, reports on the Chapter s Finances: Chapter Financial Activity *Current values are as of date of newsletter publication* Inflow: AFA Quarterly Rebate Chapter Membership Meetings State Meeting and Donations Outflow: CyberPatriot Sponsorship- Chantilly Academy and Battlefield High School Chapter Membership Meetings State Meeting Administrative Expenses 13 of 14

14 Update Your Information Please visit the Chapter web site at to update your contact information and gain access to additional information on the Gabriel Chapter s history, meetings, and events. Suggestions? Do you have a suggestion for the newsletter or a Chapter initiative? Please feel free to contact us at afa_gabriel_chapter@afa-gabriel.org. Executive Committee President Emeritus Gen (Ret.) Ralph Ed Eberhart President Dallas Kennedy John.Kennedy@afa-gabriel.org Vice President Pat Rocke Pat.Rocke@afa-gabriel.org Treasurer Nancy Cribb Nancy.Cribb@afa-gabriel.org Secretary Joe Burke Joe.Burke@afa-gabriel.org VP Membership and Community Partners Al Ballenger Al.Ballenger@afa-gabriel.org VP Salute and Military Affairs Rick Larson Rick.Larson@afa-gabriel.org VP Aerospace Education Mike Winters Michael.Winters@afa-gabriel.org VP Aerospace Education Brad Wilkins Brad.Wilkins@afa-gabriel.org VP Chapter Events VACANT VP Chapter Communications Jack Diamond John.Diamiond@afa-gabriel.org VP Leadership Development VACANT Webmaster Filip DaSilva Filip.Dasilva@afa-gabriel.org VP Awards and Recognition VP Veterans Affairs VACANT VACANT VP Government Affairs Lee Rizzo Lee.Rizzo@afa-gabriel.org 14 of 14