Highlights of the Quarter

• 2011 AFA Kellogg-Loos Annual Awards Banquet 
• 2011 Alamo Chapter AFA Expo Breaks a Record
• AEF Announces 2011 Family Education Award
• President's Farewell to Mike Nishimuta

 RECOGNIZING ALAMO'S FINEST

2011 Kellogg-Loos Annual Awards Banquet

The Alamo Chapter held its annual Kellogg Blue Suit and Loos Civilian Awards Banquet at the Lackland Air Force Base Gateway Club on March 10.  More than 350 people attended ths special event, which honored the outstanding achievements of 112 military and civilian members from San Antonio's military community.  Our master of ceremonies for the evening was Buster Horlen, past AFA National Director.  

Chapter President Randy Coggins stated that this banquet is dedicated to the memories of Joe Kellogg and Charlotte and Carlton Loos.  These three life-long AFA members and volunteers played a very active role in defining the Alamo Chapter that we enjoy today.

While too numerous to name in this article, these awards recognized outstanding military members in six categories (Airman, Non-Commissioned Officer, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, Individual Mobilization Augmentee, Company Grade Officer and First Sergeant).  Three categories of outstanding civilians were recognized based on GS/WS/GM grades.  For a complete listing of award winners, please visit the link on our website 2011 Award Banquet winners.

The Alamo Chapter also took this opportunity to recognize our own members/volunteers for their outstanding support:

                                             -  The Dr. Kaye H. Biggar Member of the Year is Mike Nishimuta

                                             -  Officer of the Year is Lt. Col. Deborah Landry, AFPC

                                             -  NCO of the Year is MSgt. Ernest Castillo, AFRS

                                             -  Military Organization of the Year is Air Force Recruiting Service

                                             -  AFROTC Cadet of the Year is Cadet Marissa Smith, UTSA

                                             -  Community Partner of the Year is L3 Link Simulation and Training

                                             -  Civilian of the Year is Paul Weseloh, AFISR Agency

                                             -  Teacher of the Year is MSgt. Lisa Moberly, O'Connor High School AFJROTC

                                             -  Earle North Parker Essay Contest winner is Jacob Walters, Randolph High School

A recognition event of this magnitude is only possible with the support of our banquet sponsors -- Col. and Mrs. James Kellogg, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Loos, Standard Aero, San Antonio Federal Credit Union and Decypher Technologies, Ltd.

Our special awards' presenter for the evening was Maj. Gen. James Whitmore, Director of Intelligence, Operations and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters AETC.  We'd like to thank Gen. Whitmore for his support and stamina in recognizing each of our award winners.

The Alamo Chapter is extremely thankful for our Awards Banquet project officer, 1st Lt. Manuel Ramirez and the Randolph AFB Company Grade Officer Council.  Manny did a yeoman's effort in planning, orchestrating and executing this year's banquet.

2011 Alamo Chapter Officer Elections

The Alamo Chapter conducted annual officer elections in conjunction with the Annual Awards Banquet.  Past Chapter President, Gary Copsey, presided over the election of the chapter's new slate of officers for 2011.  This year's officers are President, Randy Coggins; Executive Vice President, Al Swaim; Secretary, Tom Peterson; and Treasurer, Alan Beaty.  Good luck and best wishes to our new officers as they lead the Alamo Chapter into what promises to be another banner year.

EARLE NORTH PARKER ESSAY CONTEST WINNER

 Maj. Gen. James Whitmore, Director of Intelligence, Operations and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters AETC, presents the Earle North Parker Essay Contest award to Jacob Walters who attends Randolph High School.  Chapter President Randy Coggins (left) and Texas State AFA President Kelly Jones look on.

           Alamo Chapter President Randy Coggins discusses the program with Awards Banquet project officer 1st Lt. Manuel Ramirez (left) and emcee for the evening, past AFA National Director Buster Horlen (right).

Chapter News

2011 AFA Exposition Largest Ever

More than 3,800 people gathered in San Antonio for the Alamo Chapter AFA Exposition, supporting the Air Education and Training Command 2011 Symposium at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, Jan. 20-21.  The exposition was open for 22 hours, and included 71 AETC booths, 57 vendor booths and the 9 sponsor booths covering more than 37,000 square feet of convention hall.   L-3 Link Simulation and Training led the exposition as title sponsor, along with eight other industry sponsors.  The Air Force Recruiting Command provided outstanding displays with the "Inspire Tour" and full-scale F-16, the Chevrolet Suburban "Raptor," X-1 Ford Mustang and Vapor Dodge Challenger.  The Alamo Chapter conducted a competition for the other military units and recognized three units for their superior booths.  First place was presented to the 59th Medical Wing Critical Care Transport Team.; second place went to the 17th Training Wing "Sensor to Shooter" display from Goodfellow AFB; and third place to the 82nd Training Group at Sheppard AFB.

Chapter President Randy Coggins said this year's exposition was the largest ever and most successful, with Executive Vice President Mike Nishimuta leading exposition planning in coordination with AETC.  "The Alamo Chapter appreciates the opportunity to partner with AETC on the Symposium and support them with the industry exposition," Nishimuta said.  "The funds raised will be distributed to the Alamo Chapter Education Foundation and used to support education grants and morale activities for our local units, airmen and their families."  Thanks to the major sponsors and all civilian and military vendor booths for their outstanding support.

The intensive four-day event began with an executive dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 19, planned by Dave Pope.  On Thursday, the exposition floor opened at 7 a.m., followed by a full day of symposium presentations, including the primary sponsors in an industry seminar.  The keynote speaker on Thursday was the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy.  Mike Nishimuta presented the Chief with a $1,000 education grant to an Air Force ROTC cadet at UT San Antonio.  Thursday evening included a reception for vendors and attendees, plus an executive reception at the F-16 display.

Friday's events kicked off again at 7 a.m. and the lunch speaker was Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander of U.S. Southern Command.  Randy Coggins presented Gen. Fraser with a $1,000 education grant to an AFROTC cadet at Texas State University.  Coggins presented the emcee, retired Lt. Gen.  John Hopper, with a $1,000 education grant in his name to an AFROTC cadet at Angelo State University.  The AFA hosted an executive reception on Friday evening prior to the AETC Gala Dinner.

On Saturday, the Alamo Chapter Executive Committee was invited to a breakfast meeting with Sanford "Sandy" Schlitt, AFA chairman of the board.  Sandy gave an excellent recap of AFA National issues and had time for some questions from the group. 

Coggins offered thanks to the many volunteers from the AFA chapter who assisted in planning or working at the exposition.  Joe Diana coordinated the sponsor seminar, Meghan McCormick, Eric Estrada and Imogene Goodman assisted with the general officer tours.  Alan Beaty assisted with the executive receptions.  Booth volunteers included John Shroyer, Tom Peterson, Terry Ross, Al Swaim, Ron Colunga, Bill Croom and Sean Habina.  Gary Copsey ordered the mementos for the executive dinner.  John Politi handled all issues related to the sponsors.  Douglas Nelson organized the military booth recognition program.  Cadets from Texas State University and UTSA assisted on both days at the booth. 

The AFA Exposition is the chapter's major fundraiser of the year, and now in the fifth year, the learning curve is becoming a little easier.  Nishimuta cited the use of MC2 as the exposition service contractor to handle routine vendor coordination.  He also offered thanks to AETC for an outstanding planning effort led by Mr. James Sturch.  With the departure of Nishimuta from the San Antonio area, new volunteer opportunities to assist with this significant chapter event are open to anyone interested.

                        General Douglas Fraser, Chairman of the Board Sandy Schlitt, General Rice and Randy Coggins

 First Place Military Booth Award at the Expo went to the Critical Care Action Team of the 59th Medical Wing.

 The 2011 Expo included more than 37,000 square feet of sponsor, vendor and military displays.

Chapter Events

     Calendar of Events

• Alamo AFA Executive Committee Meeting at Sushihana - Apr 12
• Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio - AT&T Oaks Course - Apr 14-17 
• JBSA Spring Diploma Recognition - May 4 
• Alamo AFA Executive Committee Meeting at Sushihana - May 10 
• NCOA Class 11-4 Graduation - May 12 
• Alamo AFA Executive Committee Meeting at Sushihana - Jun 14 
• NCOA Class 11-5 Graduation - Jun 25 
• AFA Texas State Convention, Fredericksburg, TX - Jul 22-24 

Link to the Online Calendar

President's Column...

So Long to a Selfless Leader

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 Steven Hall

Alamo Chapter Air Force Association

P.O. Box 34261
San Antonio, TX 78265-4261

www.alamoafa.org