Get the 411: F-35 Legislative Update
The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to address the F-35 program the week of June 13th providing us with another window to encourage our elected officials to support the President's budget request for 32 F-35 aircraft.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a substantial amount of discussion on this program, including hearings in the House Armed Service Committee and the House Appropriations Committee on Defense.

Here are a few noteworthy updates to keep in mind:

  • Lockheed Martin and the thousands of businesses nationwide that supply components for the F-35 are committed to pushing the program across the finish line. Now is the time to stress that we are ready to go above and beyond expectations.
  • Since the Pentagon conducted its required evaluation of the F-35 program, required by the Nunn-McCurdy provision and the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act, efforts to improve cost and schedule performance have dramatically improved. Contrary to popular belief, production costs are, in fact, systematically coming down.
  • On the same note, operations and support costs are overstated in the Selected Acquisition Report (SAR). The validity of such a long-range estimate is imprecise. The report does not capitalize on all the cost-saving design elements and is based on 4th generation legacy aircraft data.
  • Testing of the crucial F-35B Short Take Off and Landing (STOVL) variant for the Marine Corp is moving ahead rapidly and going very well. True, there have been some setbacks but the tests are progressing at a solid pace with many of the tests required for the aircraft to go to sea trials already complete.

The bottom line is that we need your support to keep the F-35 program affordable. Any significant reductions will delay deliveries and increase costs and risk to the program. Further, it will send the wrong signal to our international partners and allies, who depend on us to lead the way.

Reach out to our elected officials and urge them to support the F-35 program as part of the Senate version of the FY12 National Defense Authorization Bill.

Contact:

    The Honorable Frank Lautenberg
    One Gateway Center, 23rd Floor
    Newark, NJ 07102

    The Honorable Steven R. Rothman
    25 Main Street, Suite 101
    Court Plaza North
    Hackensack, NJ 07601

Read:

September 19 - 21, 2011
Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition
Be a part of the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition, September 19 - 21, 2011. The conference will once again be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac, in National Harbor, just across the river from historic Alexandria and minutes from downtown Washington, DC. This is THE one-of-a-kind event where AFA brings together Air Force leadership, industry experts, academia and current event specialists, from around the world to discuss the issues and challenges facing America and the aerospace community today. Registration is now available online at www.afa.org.

Three days of addresses, forums and workshops on relevant topics:

  • Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Ashton Carter
  • Four Star Forum hosted by CSAF Gen Norton Schwartz
  • Command Chief Master Sergeants Forum hosted by CMSAF James Roy
  • Pulitzer-prize winning writer/commentator Charles Krauthammer
  • Medal of Honor Recipient George "Bud" Day
  • Commander, 17th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Africa, and the first female in U.S. history to oversee an air campaign, Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward

See the full agenda online.

Meet bestselling authors at our multiple book signings:

  • Bing West
  • Nathan Hodge
  • Robert Kaplan
  • John Olsen

See the full list of authors online.

The exhibits at AFA's Technology Exposition highlight the most current developments in aerospace technology and education. Nowhere else will attendees find over 50,000 square feet of the most exciting aerospace exhibitors assembled to display and demonstrate the latest breakthroughs in air and space technology.

Register today!

Air Force Memorial's Summer Events
Check out all of the great summer events at the Air Force Memorial at http://www.airforcememorial.org/dedication/happenings.asp.

New AFA/USAA Credit Card
 AFA is pleased to expand our relationship with USAA to provide the Air Force Association USAA Rewards World MasterCardฎ. If you currently hold the AFA credit card issued through Chase, you should have already received a letter from Chase with information about continuing with a Chase credit card not affiliated with AFA. We will send you information on the new AFA/USAA credit card in July, but in the meantime you can review the new credit card design choices at http://www.afavba.org/aboutus/memben/usaa_cc.asp.

AFA's Pitsenbarger Awards Aid CCAF Graduates
AFA announced $88,000 in funds awarded to the 2011 Spring graduates of the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) for AFA's Pitsenbarger Awards. A list of the 2011 Pitsenbarger Award recipients can be found at http://www.afa.org/AEF/aid/pitwnrs.asp. The award is named for William H. Pitsenbarger, an Airman First Class who gave his life in Vietnam saving others. For his heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. AFA Pitsenbarger awards honor top Air Force enlisted personnel graduating from the CCAF who are pursuing a baccalaureate degree. Each of the recipients receives a special one-time grant and a certificate of achievement. The award is based on distinguished activity encompassing leadership, teamwork, citizenship, community service, dedication, personal development and academic achievement, along with a Commander's endorsement.

Wings Club Bulletin
 The Wings Club Bulletin was mailed out to many of our active supporters describing some of our recent activities and programs. If you didn't receive the bulletin, or you'd like to forward it on to your friends, please go to http://www.legacy.vg/afa/giving/5.html and click "Wings Club Bulletin".

AFA, MLB Pitcher Unveil New Scholarship to Honor Legacy of Service
AFA is proud to announce the Michael Wilson Scholarship, a new fund that awards scholarships to AFROTC cadets throughout the country. This remarkable scholarship was established through Brian Wilson, pitcher for Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, reflecting the honor, commitment to service, and legacy of Brian's father, Michael Wilson. The gift is the largest scholarship given by an individual to be administered by AFA in its 65 year history. Two scholarships will be awarded each year for the next five years (2011 to 2015) and is open to any Air Force ROTC cadet in the U.S. More information on the Michael Wilson Scholarship can be found at www.afa.org/MichaelWilson. Information on AFA's other scholarships and grant opportunities can be found on AFA's Awards, Scholarships and Grants site.

TRICARE Covers Additional Cervical Cancer Screening Test
More than 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, and 4,000 women die from this disease. Once the leading cause of death among women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the number of cervical cancer deaths have decreased dramatically as a result of regular cervical cancer screening. TRICARE has added coverage for an enhanced cervical cancer screening test that helps detect the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV DNA test is done to find a high-risk HPV infection that can cause cervical cancer. For more information, visit http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=712

Blue Star Museums Offers Free Admission to Active Duty Military Families
Blue Star Museums is a program that offers free admission to museums for all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 30, through Labor Day, September 5, 2011. More than 1,300 (and counting) museums in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are participating in Blue Star Museums. These include children's museums, fine art museums, history and science museums, and nature centers. The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, including those stamped URW and DB. These include active duty military National Guard and Reserve members and up to five immediate family members. For more information, visit http://www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2011.php

AFA Bank Checks
AFA check designs celebrate the powerful heritage of the United States Air Force. Our checks are produced and sold through Identity Check Printers™, and guaranteed to meet or exceed your bank specifications. As an added benefit, since you are ordering directly from the manufacturer, you are not paying the bank's mark-up prices. Choose from classic planes, modern classics, and today's aircraft. Special new-customer offer - receive your second box for only 95 cents! Click here for complete details and to order. To redeem this offer, enter OFFER CODE 9KW1128 during online checkout or call 1-800-874-5910 and mention the offer code above.

Dell Discounts to Members
AFA Member exclusive discounts from Dell for June include:

  • Get an additional $75 off select systems $899 or more with coupon. Use coupon code 4XX7DXNS59H934.
  • Get an additional 10% off select electronics and accessories with coupon. Use coupon code 4G23HC2FQ5Z4B9.
  • If you have a student in the house, Dell has a special deal for students only - Buy select Dell PCs with Windows 7 for $699 or more, get an Xbox 360ฎ 4GB.

Visit www.dell.com/afa, call 1-800-695-8133, or click here for a .pdf flyer. Provide Member ID# DS15645360.

AFA Merchandise - CLEARANCE SALE!
We are determined to clear the AFA store of all existing merchandise!!
Sale prices are now 20% off while supplies last. Everything must go! Visit www.afa.org/store. Not all sizes and colors are in stock. Your credit card will not be charged if your order is not in stock.

Attention One & All - AFA-NJ License Plates
Our organization needs 175 sets of plates for this to come to life. Please consider this addition, as your continued support of the Air Force Association of New Jersey. These will make a bold and proud statement of our support and continued success in our mission to succeed.

The cost will be $15 for each set of plates. If you are planning to participate these are the instructions that must be followed per NJDoMV:

  • A check made out to AFA-HighPoint Chapter #374, in the amount of $15.00 USD
    HighPoint Chapter #374, is the handler and dispatcher of all license plates. Contact person is me, >Doc Ball< information to follow.
  • Also need a copy front and back of your current New Jersey drivers license (must be a photo ID)
  • Also same as above Insurance ID Card and your NJ Registration
  • Copy all 3 documents on 1 sheet of paper front and back
  • All these documents must be current though to the end of 2011 at this time

Please mail check and documents to:

    Chaplain Richard F. Ball
    235 Main Street
    Madison, NJ 07940

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at afadocball@gmail.com or 973-580-8091.

Thank you, your support will be greatly appreciated.
Be Well and God Bless,

Chaplain Richard F. Ball - Air Force Association
President - HighPoint Chapter #374
Sussex County, New Jersey

AFA New Jersey State Executive Board Meeting Minutes - 4 June 2011

Present:

Hangar One – Chapter 192
Shooting Star – Chapter 195
McGuire - Chapter 360
High Point – Chapter 374
North East Region President – Eric Taylor

Members in attendance: Richard Ball, Bob Hodges, Howard Leach, Nick Mullaney, Eric Taylor, Peter Varsalona, Amos Chalif, Jennifer Condon-Pracht, and Monte Lower.

1. Opening

  • Acting President, Howard Leach called the meeting to order at 10:26 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Ball led the Invocation. The POW/MIA candle was lit. There was no guest speaker.

2. Minutes

  • The minutes of the February 12th, 2011 meeting were distributed via email. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the minutes as emailed.
     
  • It was noted that the Norm Matthews is doing well. He was unable to attend due to other commitments, but he is out and about.

3. Treasurer's Report

  • Nick Mullaney reported that cash on hand, receipts, disbursements, for the 1st quarter have been reported and the final balance is $5590.47. We did receive national's check from the 3rd and 4th quarters of $1229.27. This will be reflected on the 2nd quarter statement. A motion was made to approve the report, a second was made, and it was approved to accept the report of the Treasurer. The CD is still only at 1% with Nick looking into different banks to invest in starting the 2nd quarter.

4. Region President's Comments & Review

  • All chapters should have received their backlog checks. Checks will be issued as soon as the quarter closes out from now on.
     
  • Chapter Rosters on the internet are dated 31 March look for updates soon. National is having issues with updating membership rosters with new folks. Call Mary N. with questions or concerns such as individuals or companies not receiving their magazines or membership cards. The way national pays out is by head count and by activities. For the 3rd quarter McGuire brought in the most money for the state and for the 4th quarter McGuire again brought in the most money for the state. Tax Filing--have not received word back from Chapter 190 on when their year starts with filing the paperwork.
     
  • Annual Awards – Gave 7 Medal of Merit and 1 Exceptional Service Medal-submitted to national. At the national Convention during the business meetings the individuals will be recognized.
     
  • National Convention - held at the National Harbor, Sept 17-18 are the business meetings and 19-21 is the Air and Space Conference. National is putting together a list of cheaper hotels in the area for those who pay their own ways to the convention.

    Constitutional Changes to be voted on at the convention:

       — Nomination Process: To set-up a nomination committee to vote in members, but a search committee will actually search for the candidates. --There have been issues in the past with individuals selecting friends and then promoting them at the convention.

       — Dues: Process of reviewing dues every 3 yrs with the possibility of increasing.

       — Relooking at membership and how to get younger members
     
  • Counsels: The Aerospace Counsel is putting together a guide on how to approach different programs in the community to promote aerospace education. Working with surrounding museums may be a great way for the AFA chapters to promote aerospace education. The field organizations pay out at least $700,000 to Air Education with National putting out $1.3M. This is raised from the previous years. National needed to match at that of the field units. The Field counsel is putting together a training DVD for chapter officers to correlate with the field books.
     
  • Teacher of the Year – Chapter 192 is looking to appoint the last year's cyber space winner's teacher as their chapter teach of the year. Other chapters are encouraged to participate and submit their teachers at the state, region and national level.
     
  • Newsline - National Newsletter, is on the national website and should have made it by email as well.
     
  • Think about "Who am I training to take my spot when I leave?"

5. President Kleiman's Goals:

  • AFA Magazine Articles – none reported in the course of this quarter
     
  • CyberPatriot – 680 schools enrolled, 200 with just JROTC. High School entry fee is $350 if there is no ROTC or CAP program. New Jersey only has one school. In order to promote this outstanding event each chapter will contact at least 5 schools in their area. Please use Howard's template to send out the email. There will be a cash reward for the most schools enrolled and a cash reward for having a school enrolled by October.
     
  • Volunteers were requested for State VPs for Leadership Dev, AE, and Membership.
     
  • Reports/plans are due at State 15 days prior to the Region deadline.
     
  • Vanguard Program – How do you recruit younger people to get involved? There was discussion on AFA's many areas of interest that might appeal to that group.

Break for Lunch

6. Chapters Reports
Each Chapter in attendance reported on their activities over the past qtr.

7. Old Business

  • State Constitution & By-Laws Review – Nick Mullaney and Chaplain Ball will be heading the constitutional changes. There will be a review process between the two and then the constitution will be sent out for review. Discussions and voting will be held in October at the EXCOM meeting.
     
  • Personalized AFA Auto License Plates – AFA members can obtain AFA personalized plates, with the AFA logo, at a cost of $15 + the cost of the plates. There must be a
    minimum of 175 plates ordered to get this rate. Chapters need to go to their membership to see if there is any interest so that the minimum order can be met.
     
  • Chapter & State Goals – can be found on the AFA website, Field Ops, Field Support.

8. New Business

  • The next EXCOM meeting will be in conjunction with the State Convention scheduled for 6 August. Chapter 360 will be putting the festivities together. There will be meetings from 10-12 and a tour of the C-17 and KC-10 starting at 1300. We will have two guest speakers as well as the Cyber Patriot Champions from last year. Registration is $35 per individual and $50 per couple.
     
  • Discussion and a motion was made to nominate Chapter 374 President Richard Ball as the NJ State Chaplain. It was seconded and approved.
     
  • Chapter 192 President Nick Mullaney agreed to nominate the Red Bank Regional High School CyberPatriot III Open Division Champs teacher/advisor as their Chapter Teacher of the Year.
     
  • Discussion and a motion was made to nominate the current State staff for next year's ballot. It was seconded and approved.

9. Adjournment
A motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 13:52.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Condon-Pracht, State Secretary

 

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