2022 E-NEWSLETTER

AFA National appointed a Space Advisory Group in 2020 to recommend changes to the organization to best support both the Air Force and the new Space Force. Among the group’s recommendations was a name change. AFA Chairman Gerald Murray offered a motion seeking approval of the Delegates to AFA’s annual National Convention in September 2021 authorizing the Board of Directors to approve such a change after further investigation. The Board voted March 5, 2022 to approve the name change, retain the AFA acronym, and adopt a new logo representing the interests of both services. Final decision authority over the logo was delegated to the Board’s Executive Committee which approved the design March 30, 2022. 

The decision was made in late 2021 to temporarily put Chapter 237 into a "suspended status" and combine the membership of the 2 northern Chapters into one group.  By utilizing a "suspended status", this allows flexibility to make boundary changes without impacting the legal status of the existing Chapter. There are many reasons for this evolution. The 4 most significant reasons are:

1. People are pulled in many directions and getting volunteer hours to support the 2 separate Chapters was challenging in today's busy environment
2. When working with our corporate partners, they often have to decide which Chapter to support (since the geographical area was the same). Our corporate partners are a huge part of how we are able to serve our military community and we desire to eliminate this issue
3. When partnering with HAFB leadership for various events, we were not always as efficient as we could be with 2 Chapters sometimes overlapping and unintentionally causing confusion
4. AFA does not have any active membership in the far southern portion of Utah, yet that area has exploding growth to include a large percentage of veterans. We desire to serve that population and moving boundaries is much more simple than starting a new non-profit chapter from scratch. 

Our thoughts are to realign the boundaries and move the already existing legal framework of Chapter 237 down to the southern portion of the state. The final layout would like like this:

• Chapter 235 (with membership from current 235 and previous 237) serving HAFB, and all of northern Utah, Davis County from the south up to the Idaho border on the north
• Chapter 236 serving SLC, UANG, Utah County and central Utah
• Chapter 237 serving St George / Cedar City area with a rapidly growing Veteran population

Not only does this make sense for the two Chapters in northern Utah, but it makes sense to better serve the entire state of Utah. It is not realistic for the SL Chapter (236) to reach the far southern portion of the state. 

As stated above, 2023 is our year to begin AFA growth in southern Utah. If you have contacts there, or know of people who would like to have input in this process, please send them our way. 

On 26 March 2022, thirteen members from the Utah Air & Space Forces Association traveled to Utah

State University to support the annual AFROTC “Tri-Det” competition between Utah State University,

The University of Utah and Brigham Young University cadets.

The Tri-Det competition, which resumed after a 2-year COVID-19 hiatus, pitted over 100 cadets and

cadre members against one another in a series of physical, academic, and professional military

competitions.

Utah AFA members provided vital scorekeeping, referee support and refreshments, contributing to a

highly professional and exciting event. Utah AFA members also coordinated JROTC cadets from the Utah Military Academy to post the colors and sing the National Anthem to open the games.

In addition to direct event support, it was an outstanding opportunity for AFA members to interact with the cadets, share stories and relay AFA’s mission to these future Air Force and Space Force

commissioned officers.

At the end of the day, AFROTC Det 860 (Utah State) emerged victorious, and their commander, Lt Col

Rich Reed, thanked the Utah AFA for significantly contributing to a highly professional and well-

organized event.

AFA-UTAH volunteered to participate in the judging for multiple Science Fairs in 2022: 

• Ritchey Science & Engineering Fair - Junior 

• Ritchey Science & Engineering Fair - Senior

• Science Olympiad - Southern Utah University 

• Uintah Elementary - Weber County 

AFA members reported that along with 5 people serving as judges in these events, they also made presentations to the winners of the AFA award category.  It was noted that the students were incredibly enthusiastic about the  events and the judges also loved participating. 

Additional details added shortly... 

AFA-UTAH members met with ICBM Sentinel Commander Col Clegg (NX) And ICBM Minute Man III Commander Col  Stores (NM) to provide an overview of AFA support to the local Airmen and preparation for the 2023 Scowcroft Award Banquet. 

The details for the 2023 event are being finalized and details will be added HERE. 

Due to the continuing Covid restrictions and uncertainty, the Scowcroft Event did not occur in 2022. 

Hill’s Heroes is a deployment personnel support project supporting the Hill AFB Airman & Family Readiness Center (AFRC). Each ‘doll’ is custom made for each deploying member’s family members. 

The ‘dolls’ are small pillows to provide comfort that have a picture of the deployed member’s picture on it. On the back side, fabric from donated BDU/ABU/etc. uniforms are used. 

A side benefit of the HH program is that in the process, donated uniforms are destroyed (to include name badges, unit patches, etc.), thus are ‘kept off the streets.’

Our AFA-UTAH members provide the project management, the fund raising and accounting,

the purchasing/acquiring of materials, and the organizing the volunteers who hand-make these

special dolls.

In CY22, our AFA Chapter supported the hand crafting of 131 Airman dolls to deployed member’s children prior to the member’s departure to an assignment. (In years prior to the pandemic, approx 800 per year were made.)  In addition, 2 other dolls were provided to an Airman’s children per a special request from AFRC. The mother of a military member died, and they wanted two dolls with her picture on them to provide some comfort to the children.

The kids love them, and it reminds them of their father or mother while they are away in service of our Nation. And the volunteers love making them. 

Note: Due to OPSEC, AFA-UTAH does not receive or relay information about deployment numbers, locations, dates or activities. Most of the deployed members are assigned to the 388th , the 419th , and the LRS. We do not provide pictures of these dolls with recognizable faces on them either. The picture provided below is one that was made 10 years ago for a now retired USAF veteran (and AFA member) who allowed us to share it.

AFA-Utah supported the HAFB Air Show on the 25th and 26th of June, 2022.  We were assigned "host" duty for the "Flightline Club."  This area was by reservation/payment only ($79 per person) and was open to the general public to purchase tickets.

Our duties were to welcome the attendees, introduce ourselves, and remind them of the perks of this area (dedicated toilets, Flightline seating, tables with umbrellas, a pulled pork sandwich lunch buffet, an open bar, and free bottled water).  

We also showed them around.  We told them if they had any questions about any airplanes, the HAFB mission, or the AF mission, that they are welcome to ask us.  We walked around and spoke to folks and asked if they were OK.  We had one "emergency" (more of an "urgency") on Sunday and had to get a teen to the hospital.  We arranged for a Base golf cart to get the the South Gate so that her mother could pick her up and get her to Urgent Care.  We typically told folks that we were volunteers from AFA.  We also assisted in getting a free pass (wristband) to the area for one handicapped veteran (US Army Special Ops).

We all really enjoyed our time there and look forward to the next one! 

Additional details added shortly...

Additional details added shortly...

In recognition of her support to Hill Air Force Base, Lacy Bizios was presented the prestigious Community Wingman Award Sept. 24 during Hill’s Air Force Diamond Jubilee Ball celebrating the 75th anniversary of the service. The award is presented annually to members of the community who have made significant service contributions to the installation.

“Lacy exemplifies everything that defines a Hill AFB Community Wingman,” said retired Maj. Gen. Pat Condon, community leader and former commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center. “She is the very definition of a private citizen who loves our nation, loves our military, and selflessly gives her time, talent, and resources to support those who are serving in uniform, our veterans, and their families.”

Bizios is a long-time member of the executive committee of the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee for the Ogden-Weber and Davis Chambers of Commerce. She coordinates the committee’s Patron Program, which raises funds from corporate and private sources to supplement and enhance the TOUMAC’s resources to support quality-of-life enhancements for Airmen and their families at Hill AFB. 

In addition to her exemplary service on the TOUMAC, Bizios has volunteered with the Air Force Association, serving as president of the Ute Rocky Mountain Chapter, as AFA state vice-president for community relations, and as AFA state president.  

“Lacy gives freely of herself in supporting those who currently defend our nation and those who have done so in the past,” Condon said. “She does this, not because she is obligated to do so, but because she values the rights, freedoms, and privileges that we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America.”

Members of AFA-UTAH had the opportunity to fly on a  Utah Air National Guard air refueling flight as they refueled F-15's over the Utah Idaho border. What a thrilling experience for those that participated. 

Additional details added shortly...

AFA-UTAH members participated in a Fun Run/Walk in November to raise money for  the Wahlen Veterans Home.  

In addition, an AFA-UTAH member sits on the Wahlen Board and regularly attends meetings and offers assistance as needed. 

We have so much talent, wisdom and experience within AFA-UTAH and are so grateful "our own" Gunny Béen (Chapter 236 President) was willing to share it all with us. Gunny was the speaker at a State Leadership meeting in October. AFA leaders and their spouses joined us as Gunny shared details  of the history and courage of the Doolittle Raids. He remined us the Airmen we serve today are just as courageous now as they were then. It was a delightful evening filled with great friends and great conversation. 

Congressman Blake Moore visited Secturion Systems, a company owned and operated by an AFA-UTAH member in May of 2022. 

In addition, on separate dates, AFA-UTAH members met with Congressman Moore and Congressman Chris Stewart to discuss how AFA can support the efforts of National Defense in Utah. 

Members of AFA-UTAH attended an event at Timbermine in Ogden Utah to hear from Lt. Gen. David Deptula, the Dean of the Mitchell Institute. 

AFA-UTAH made the following donations  in 2022:

• A donation of $500 from Secturion Systems, a company owned by an AFA-UTAH member, to the 388th FW supporting a family event for deployed Airmen.

• Secturion Systems also donated $500.00 to Wolf Creek Foundation to support retreats for deployed families. 

• A $1000.00 contribution was made to the National Guard Awards Event to assist in offsetting the cost for the Airmen and their families to attend.  An AFA member also attended this event and presented one of the awards. 

• A $1000.00 donation was made each to the 388th FW, the 419th FW and the 75th ABW Holiday Party supporting Airmen and their families. AFA members also volunteered time to serve at these gatherings. 

• A $2500.00 donation was made to the Pioneer Rodeo Day Celebration. This was used to defer the cost for Airmen and their families to attend the event. AFA members also attended this event. 

• Maverick Gift Cards totaling $500.00 was delivered to the First Sergeant's Association at Hill Air Force Base to be delivered to deserving families during the holiday.

• Donated $150.00 to the Chief Induction Ceremony. AFA members also attended this event in May. 

• A $250.00 hole sponsor was donated to the Chiefs Golf Tournament at HAFB in August to support the families of Airmen at Hill.

• $250.00 was donated to support the First Sergeants Cookies for Airmen Drive during the Christmas season.

• Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) graduation ceremony was held in the spring and fall. At each graduation a $250.00 Excellence scholarship was awarded along with a $750.00 Pitsenbarger Award. The Pitsenbarger Award is donated by  KIOMAC. You can learn more on that HERE. The two recipients of the Excellence Awards were SSgt Nina Beverly Belen and SrA Anthony Mason. SSgt Belen was also the recipient of the Pitsenberger Award.  Chapter 235 President was on hand to make the presentations and AFA members also attend to support this event. 

• Airmen Leadership School (ALS) graduation was held in the spring and fall where a  $200.00 scholarship was awarded at each graduation.

• $1000.00 was donated to the Air Force Ball Event in September.

• A $100.00 donation was made to the Weber County STEM Fair.

The following donations were graciously given to AFA-UTAH:

• We were absolutely stunned and so grateful when an AFA-UTAH member anonymously granted UTAH a $20,000 cash gift to use as needed. 

• $2500 – Lockheed  (confirm details)

• $2500 – BAE to Scowcroft Award Funds  (confirm details)

• $5000 – KIOMAC to Pitsenberger Scholarships (confirm details)

Five members of AFA-UTAH represented Utah at the National Convention in National Harbor, MD. 

Additional details added shortly...

Aerospace Education Achievement Award was awarded to Chapter 236 for their outstanding support for Aerospace Education in Utah. 

Medal of Merit was awarded to Scott Warren and Terri Hensley for their work in the transition of combining chapter membership in 2022.  

It absolutely takes a village and these awards truly belong to every AFA member who supported the AFA vison in 2022. 

AFA-UTAH welcomed a new detachment commander, Col Jon Creer, to Det 855. We met with Col Creer monthly to see where we can support his detachment. We worked with him on a process to award two $1000 scholarships to cadets from Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University and are in the process of scoring and awarding those scholarships now. They will be awarded when the students return from Christmas break. 

AFA-UTAH also welcomes AAS/SW & ROTC leaders from around the state to our monthly meetings.  We look forward to coordinating through out the year on how to best support each other. 

WELCOME to all in each of the chapters! We are glad to have you! 

In June - Additional details added shortly... 

AFA-UTAH representatives attended monthly meetings with Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee  and also various events sponsored by TOUMAC. The committee is a sub committee of the Ogden-Weber-Davis Chamber of Commerce. The meeting helps establish and enhance business and military relationships to better support the Airmen and the families at Hill Air Force Base. 

In March - Additional details added shortly... 

Hilton Garden Inn Ogden has joined AFA as a Community Partner and allowed us to utilize their beautiful conference and meeting space for AFA monthly meetings.   

In addition, they have an excellent café where AFA members enjoy a bite before or after the meetings. 

Additional details added shortly...