The Langley Crier Newsletter of the Langley Chapter of the Air Force Association F A L L 2 0 1 4 General Longoria Speaks at July Chapter Meeting INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Gen Longoria Speaks at Meeting 1 ACC Political Advisor Speaks 1 From the President 2 National AFA Awards 3 2014 AFA Convention 3 Veteran’s Corner 4 Community Partners 4 Touch n’ Gos… 5 Chapter Sightings 6 Our luncheon speaker and Iraq as well as tellfor the July monthly ing us how the Theater chapter meeting was Brig Air Control System maGen (Ret) Mike Longoria. tured as the years went Gen Longoria retired in on. Throughout the 2009 as Commander of presentation he the 93rd Ground Operastressed the fact that tions Wing at Moody this was “one team— AFB, GA. He has also one fight” and used a Brig Gen Mike Longoria receives an AFA memento from Chapter President Vince Wisniewski commanded an air expequote from former Secditionary wing, an air experetary of Defense Donald ditionary group, an air support operations Rumsfeld who said: “This was not a war group, a combat control squadron, and a fought by the Army or the Navy or the Air special tactics squadron. Gen Longoria Force or the Marines. It was a war that’s spoke to the chapter on “Airmen and Airbeen fought by joint forces under excellent power in Iraq and Afghanistan from the leadership.” Our thanks to Gen Longoria Command and Control Perspective.” He for sharing with us his perspective of the described for the audience the close air supwars in Iraq and Afghanistan from the perport (CAS)/interdiction war in Afghanistan spective of the airman on the ground. ACC Political Advisor Speaks at Meeting Dr. Albert U. Mitchum, the political advisor to the commander of Air Combat Command, spoke at the Chapter’s September membership meeting. Dr Mitchum is the command focal point and principal advisor to the commander and key senior staff on political perspectives, policy analysis, and positions on political-military issues. He is responsible for contact with other nations for research and data collection on matters of mutual special inter- est. Dr Mitchum presented an international affairs update. After setting the stage with some trends and background on globalization, polarization and power shifts throughout the world, he took the audience on a “trip” through a number of countries in Europe and the Middle East. He answered questions before receiving an AFA coffee cup from Chapter President Vince Wisniewski. PAGE 2 From the President... Langley Chapter #323 Chapter Officers 2014 Vince Wisniewski President Tyler Johnson Executive Vice President Mark Douglas Secretary Nikki Barry Treasurer Jerry Levesque VP-Aerospace Education John Murphy VP-Communications Jimmy Ruth VP-Community Partners Timothy Howard VP-Govt. Relations Rick Jones VP-Membership JJ Blessing VP-Military Relations Harley Hammond VP-Awards & Recog. VACANT VP-Veterans Affairs LANGLEY What an uplifting couple of days at the AFA National Convention and the Air and Space Conference! I hope you read some of the summaries in the AFA Daily emails each day. See Mark Douglas’s article for details on the Convention in this issue! The SECAF, Secretary Debra James charged the 3000 attendees to be bold leaders and innovators to counter the many challenges and uncertainty. “Thank God for boots in the air,” she said. The future will not look like the past and “strategic agility” will be needed to stay ahead of the enemy. What won’t change is the need for airpower! General Dwight Eisenhower said about the D-Day landings when he revisited with his son, “Without airpower, I wouldn’t be here!” The Chief, General Mark Welsh, is always my favorite. He makes me cry at the courage and dedication of the young and old heroes he highlighted and helps me be a better AF supporter! He reminded all that the times are new but the problems are not… we need to be bold and fearless! Read the transcript at www.airforcemagazine.com to see why he says we are the greatest AF in How To Get The Crier CONTACT US: [email protected] THE Happy 67th Birthday Air Force! I write my last letter as the Chapter President after having attended the Team Langley Air Force Anniversary Tribute today! The number 67 is also the average age of the Air Force Association members! Can you believe that our average member, not senior member, was around when the AF became a separate Branch and General Jimmy Doolittle was running this organization? That tells me we really need to recruit some younger members! the world and how we are going to stay there! His last charge was “Help us become the AF we need to be, not the AF we used to be!” The third quarter ends with the Langley Chapter needing new leaders! Our Executive Vice President Tyler Johnson will lead the team with Mark “Buster” Douglas as his Executive VP! They need your help in keeping us a viable Chapter, they need volunteers in these leadership positions: VP Awards and Recognition, VP Military Affairs, VP Veterans and Retirees, and a new position VP Family Support! Please consider giving back in an area that interests you! The Chapter has been busy this quarter! We donated $2000 to Airman programs and presented awards at many Wing and ALS events! We helped sponsored the 30th Intel Squadron picnic and Tyler Johnson told the crowd about AFA! We had two excellent speakers at our monthly luncheons with Brig Gen (ret) Mike Longoria talking about outstanding airmen in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and COMACC’s advisor, Dr Albert Mitchum giving us the political-military perspective on world events! Let me close my last letter by saying a sincere thanks for giving me the honor of serving as your Chapter President! I step aside having been made a better person for our AFA experiences and look forward to serving in another capacity! Join us, you won’t regret it! Vince “Wiz” Wisniewski President, Langley AFA Chapter Our mailing is based on the computer generated list we get from AFA National. If National knows your email address then the Crier can be sent to you. If you need to change your email address, please see the comment on the index page of your Air Force Magazine or send an email to [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-727-3337 or visit the AFA Web Site Page for Address Change. All Langley Chapter AFA information is posted on our web site at www.langleyafa.org. CRIER PAGE 3 Upcoming Events November 10, 2014 Chapter Meeting Speaker Cong Rob Wittman Langley Club 11:30am Langley Chapter National AFA Awards The Air Force Association announced the MacAloon presented Leadership Recognition winners of its national awards recently. The awards to Chapter Executive VP Tyler Johnson Langley Chapter and our “webmaster” was recognized for Steven Bryan. Virginia “Sustained New State AFA President Member RecruitJim McGuire anment.” Two Langnounced numerous ley Chapter memindividual Virginia bers received naState award winners. tional awards. The Virginia State “JJ” Blessing, chapPresident’s Award ter VP for Military was awarded to Ellen Relations, garnered Merrilic for her outthe AFA Exceptionstanding work in supGeneral Gary North, AFA Director at Large and Chapter President al Service Award port of the Langley Vince Wisniewski present JJ Blessing with AFA Exceptional Service (ESA) for his outChapter. Virginia Award. standing support to Leadership Recognition the chapter. The ESA is awarded to individuAwards were awarded to Tom Woziak who sits als who have performed exceptional service on the AFA Veterans/Retiree Council and Bill for AFA in local, regional or national fields. JJ Etchison for his support of the chapters ROTC had been previously recognized with an AFA programs. Virginia Special Achievement CitaMedal of Merit as well as Region and state tions were awarded to George Zaniewski, Kevin awards. Howell and Chapter Secretary Mark Douglas for Rick Jones, chapter VP for Membership, reoutstanding support to the chapter. And finally, ceived an Air Force Association Medal of Mer- Langley Chapter Certificates of Appreciation it for his outstanding support to the chapter. were awarded to Mike Bideau, Jim Dunn, Tom The Medal of Merit recognizes Rick for his Bednarek, Keith Ebert, Barbara Elvington, Linda outstanding support of the Langley Chapter McMahon, Pic Forsythe, Maj Patrick Wolverton, over the past years. Rick had also previously Rebecca Kleinhample, Nikki Barry, and Clevereceived AFA regional and state awards. land White. Congratulations to all of the LangAFA Central East Region President Gavin ley Chapter winners! AFA 2014 Convention December 17, 2014 2014 ACC-TRADOC Leadership Professional Development and Social Bayview Commonwealth Center Langley AFB 3:00 - 5:00pm Social Begins at 5:00pm The Air Force Association held its annual convention September 13-14, followed by the Association’s annual Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition, September 15-17. The Langley Chapter was well represented and the Virginia State Delegation filled all of its 25 delegate positions. The convention kicked off on Friday evening with a naming ceremony for the AFA headquarters building in honor of General James Doolittle. The general’s granddaughter, Ms. Jonna Doolittle Hoppes thanked us for honoring the founder of the AFA 68 years ago! The business of the convention commenced on Saturday afternoon with the candidates for office each addressing the delegates. The vote occurred on Sunday with the following slate elected into office: Scott Van Cleef of the Roanoke Chapter for Chairman of the Board, David Dietsch Vice Chairman for Field Operations, Jerry E. White, Vice Chairman for Aero- space Education, Marvin L. Tooman, Secretary and Nora Ruebrook, Treasurer. General (ret) Gary North and Kent Owsley were elected National Directors at Large and Kevin Jackson was elected National Director, East Area. Many new support-oriented programs were briefed. The new “eMembership” for $30 allows full membership except for receiving an e-copy vice a paper AF Magazine. The one-year trial was approved as a permanent program. The second Wingman Magazine was recently published this quarter. This Airman focused publication highlights the contribution of individual Airmen and has been a popular publication. Anyone can contribute to it! The Wounded Airman program provides needed assistance for Airmen and their families in need due to injury or illness. 100% of your contributions go directly to the Airmen! The new Airman Transition Program provides networking and new resources for those moving into civilian workforce. PAGE 4 Veteran’s Corner Your AFA is represented by Governor appointment to the Joint Leadership Council (JLC) of Veterans Services Organizations. This Council combines the interest of the over 840,000 veterans in Virginia to one voice. In support of the Department of Veteran Affairs, the JLC 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. For questions about the JLC or to make input, contact Langley AFA Chapter member Bart Barton at [email protected]. Community Partner Corner Annual Renewals City of Hampton White Rhino, LLC www.VisitHampton.com www.realPING.com New Community Partners: Holiday Inn Express Hampton Holiday Inn Express Hampton Coliseum Central's outstanding customer service is the perfect match for its prime location near dining, shopping, entertainment, concerts, and conventions at the Peninsula Town Center, Hampton Roads Convention Center, and the Hampton Coliseum as well as area businesses and military bases. Chapter members, we need your help to recruit new Community Partners. As a Langley Chapter Community Partner you not only help support the local Air Force community, cadets and veterans, but you also highlight your company, business, or organization through the Langley Chapter web site. For more information visit the chapter website at www.langleyafa.org or email our VP for Community Partners at [email protected]. Thanks to all for your continued support in 2014! THE LANGLEY CRIER 5 Touch n’ Gos... PAGE THE AFA "Fly-In" In July, AFA Government Relations invited 12 AFA members to join them in DC to help us take the AFA message to Capitol Hill. They visited over 40 offices with the message of what sequestration has done and will do to our Air Force should it kick back in, as the law currently mandates, in FY 16. Before visiting Congress with our AFA members they heard briefings from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the USAF and the Center for Strategic and Budget Analysis to inform them of our message. Also in July, AFA Government Relations co-hosted the Senate Air Force Caucus Breakfast with USAF Legislative Liaison. With great turnout from Senators and USAF senior leaders, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James delivered a strong message to Senators and staff: When budgetary decisions come up, remember your Air Force and don't sacrifice readiness. AFA Selects Former Air Force EUCOM Chief of Staff as AFA Executive Vice President AFA announced the addition of Major General Mark A. Barrett, USAF (Ret.) as Executive Vice President to serve as the number two senior staff executive under President Craig McKinley. As Executive Vice President, General Barrett will serve as the principal deputy professional staff member to the President and will act as the Association's senior staff liaison with Boards, Committees and Councils as well as the Air Force, concerning Air Force budgets, programs, systems, operations and legal issues. Additionally, Barrett will assist in the oversight of AFA, AFA Veteran Benefits Association, and the Air Force Memorial Foundation. Annual Retiree Summit & Career Fair The Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic is hosting the Annual Retiree Summit & Career Fair on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Rockwell Hall gymnasium, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia Beach, VA. A series of speakers will provide information on: policies and current issues affecting retirees. Naval Medical Center Portsmouth will staff a health and information fair and administer free flu shots to eligible beneficiaries. Representatives from military, federal and community organizations will be on site to provide information about topics of interest to the retiree community to include Defense Finance and Accounting Services and legal assistance. A career fair will also be held in conjunction with the retiree summit. For more information, call 757-462-7563 or visit FACEBOOK. Air Force Magazine Access You may have noticed that access to the majority of the content on our AF Magazine website is now restricted to members only. Traditional members and eMembers have full access to everything. All you need to do is to log on to the website. It's easy and only needs to be done once. There's more information about this below. We hope this will encourage those who have been enjoying our magazine and website content for free in the past to now become members. Email Address Updates Keeping up with ever-changing email addresses for our membership is one of our biggest challenges. As we continue to move much of our business and information flow to the net, it becomes ever more important. At every opportunity--in meetings, through newsletters, snail mail...whatever it takes, make a point of asking your members to keep us up to date on their current email address. They can do so online using our "Members Area" page (left column of the AFA home page) Touch and Go Inputs If you have anything you’d like included in future “Touch and go” columns, please send your inputs to John Murphy ([email protected]). LANGLEY CRIER FALL 2014 PAGE Chapter Sightings 6