AFA Technology Symposium - September 26, 2008

AFMC, Anniversary Ball, Senior Leadership Conference (SLC) Golf Tournament, and Inaugural Technology Symposium a HUGE Success

By: Jeff Liffick – Vice President, Wright Memorial Chapter 212

During the week of September 22, 2008, the AFA Wright Memorial Chapter 212 and Air Force Materiel Command AFMC leadership jointly hosted a number of events. These inaugural events were held in conjunction with the AFMC Senior Leadership Conference (SLC). Because of this all of the events had unprecedented participation from AFMC leadership.

The HQ AFMC led Air Force Anniversary Ball held on 24 Sep was preceded by the AFA hosted Anniversary Ball’s Silent Auction and Social. The black-tie events took place in the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The Silent Auction had over 100 items, which ranged from Orientation Rides in the Wright “B” Flyer to an Apple iPod Nano. The items that were donated came from local companies and AFMC units across the country. After the Silent Auction and reception, The Air Force led Air Force Anniversary Ball included performances by the Air Force Band of Flight and the Maxwell Saber Guard. During the proceedings the yearly AFA awards were presented to this year’s recipients.

AMBASSADOR AWARD - Representative Michael R. Turner Accepted by Representative Turner’s wife Mrs. Lori Turner

HERITAGE AWARD - General Bruce Carlson

LEGACY AWARD - William U. Borger, PhD

The AFA Wright Memorial Chapter 212 was proud to make a donation of $10,000 to the AF Aide Society during the ball. This donation was funded via the proceeds from this year’s Ball, Golf tournament, and Technology Symposium.

The AFA Senior Leaders Golf Tournament held on 25 Sep at Wright Patterson AFB’s Prairie Trace had a beautiful day for golf and camaraderie. The outing was followed by a social at the Wright-Patt Club and Banquet Center.

The week’s activities culminated on Friday 26 Sep with the AFA Technology Symposium. The First annual AFA Technology was a huge success. Held at the Hope Hotel and Banquet Center the event had been coordinated with AFMC leadership to coincide with the AFMC SLC so that participants of the AFMC SLC could be in attendance. Many of the ~30 speakers and panel members at this event were representatives from the AFMC Commanders attending the SLC. The SLC attendees stayed for the entire event, providing an extraordinary opportunity to interact with numerous General Officers and Senior Leaders from across AFMC. Displays were provided by the Air Force Research Laboratories highlighting a number of technologies being developed within the Laboratories. Speakers included Gen Carlson (HQ AFMC/CC), all of the AFMC Center Commanders, Test Center Commanders and Product Center Commanders and many more. The luncheon speaker Lt Gen Thomas Stafford, USAF Ret provided a truly memorable perspective on the history of the US Air and Space missions. It is not often that you seen General Officers lining up to get someone’s autograph as they did for Gen Stafford.

The Wright Memorial Chapter really wants to thank both HQ AFMC and HQ AFRL for the opportunity to partner on such fabulous events and to the many other’s who provided support as well. Also Thanks to all of the Wright Memorial Chapter 212 Star Sponsors, who make it possible for events such as these to occur. As we look forward to next year’s events we will strive to build on this year and to make them even better. It is the Chapters’ goal in 2009 to provide wider opportunity for community participation in all of these events.