Air Force Association National Convention 2014 Dignitaries including AFA Chairman of the Board George Muellner (front left), Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh (right), CMSAF James Cody (far left), and industry execu- tives formally open the Air Force Association’s Technology Exposition at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Md. 70 AIR FORCE Magazine / November 2014 Air Force Association National Convention 2014 ore than 6,500 attendees gath- Air Force Band provided entertainment ered for the 2014 Air Force As- during the evening’s festivities. Msociation National Convention Thanks to fi nancial support from Lock- and the Air & Space Conference and heed Martin, the 12 Outstanding Airmen Technology Exposition, dedicating time attended events in and around Washington, to better understand Air Force issues. D.C., throughout the conference. The Top USAF leaders, such as Secretary of “golden dozen” toured Capitol Hill and the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Chief Arlington National Cemetery and visited of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, and the Pentagon. CMSAF James A. Cody, took the stage at The conference acknowledged the pro- the Gaylord National Resort and Conven- found challenges facing today’s US defense tion Center in National Harbor, Md., just complex and celebrated the achievements outside Washington, D.C. Secretary of of the airmen operating within it. The event Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson, who concentrated its focus via military leaders was DOD general counsel from 2009 to and national defense and policy experts 2012, and Frank Kendall, undersecretary on subjects ranging from cyber, space, of defense for acquisition, technology, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnais- and logistics both gave A&SC keynote sance to nuclear and energy issues. The addresses. All speakers shared with audi- fi rst day of the conference, Monday, saw ences their present challenges as well as much focus on European affairs as they their visions for the Air Force’s future. affect USAF. Tuesday was heavy on the The 66th annual AFA National Con- force’s modern obstacles and challenges. vention began Saturday, Sept. 13, with Twelve senior leaders discussed every- two days of AFA business, followed by thing from training to innovation during three days of conference activity, fi lled the Four-Star Forum. At the Command with 50 speaker sessions. Chief Master Sergeants Forum, leaders The conference commenced with addressed areas such as professional welcoming remarks by Welsh and an development, readiness, resiliency, and awards ceremony highlighting more force management, offering insight into than 40 individuals and groups for their what affects airmen. contributions to the aerospace commu- James, joined on the main stage by nity. James, Welsh, and major command Welsh, Cody, AFA leaders, and AFA in- leaders presented citations of honor and dustry supporters, snipped the ceremonial Air Force crew and team awards, Air red ribbon with oversized scissors—a sign National Guard and Air Force Reserve of the offi cial opening of the technol- awards, and professional, civilian, edu- ogy exposition—on Sept. 15. More than cation, management, and environmental 100 exhibitors showcased their products. awards. Additionally, James and Welsh Highlights included dogs with the War- presented AFA’s outgoing Chairman of rior Canine Connection, a program that the Board, George K. Muellner, with provides therapy dogs to help vets with the Distinguished Public Service Award. post-traumatic stress disorder. AFA formally honored the Air Force’s The event also celebrated Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year with a heritage. On Friday evening in Arlington, ceremonial dinner following a reception Va., convention guests held a ceremony sponsored by Northrop Grumman on Sept. naming AFA headquarters as the James 15. Cody congratulated the 12 airmen H. Doolittle Building. Medal of Honor during his keynote address at the dinner recipient Jimmy Doolittle was AFA’s ceremony. MSgt. Tessa M. Fontaine, one fi rst president. His grandaughter, Jonna of the 2013 Outstanding Airmen of the Doolittle Hoppes, helped unveil the Year, acted as master of ceremonies, and building’s name plaque at the Sept. 12 Chaplain William Evans led the gather- commemoration. ing in prayer. The US Air Force Honor A wreath-laying ceremony took place USAF photo by Michael J. Pausic Guard presented the colors and the US Sunday morning, Sept. 14, at the Air AIR FORCE Magazine / November 2014 71 P h o o b D a n H i g g i n s Force Memorial. Muellner paid tribute USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh (l) and Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee to the lives and contributions of AFA James (r) were key speakers at AFA’s Air & Space Conference. members and friends who have died in the last year, and he encouraged the most outstanding contribution by in- of Deborah Lee James, Gen. Mark A. audience to honor them by carrying on dustrial leadership to national defense; Welsh III, and CMSAF James A. Cody, their work. Retired Maj. Gen. William The DOD STARBASE program, respectively—shared personal stories of J. Dendinger, AFA’s national chaplain, recognized with the AFA Chairman’s resiliency and the issues they focus on in conducted the invocation, homily, and Aerospace Education Award, for long-term meetings with Air Force families around benediction for the event. Muellner commitment to aerospace education with the world. A working lunch followed, read a memorial tribute list of the de- a significant nationwide impact. with a closing by speaker Dan Clark, after ceased, along with Scott P. Van Cleef, AFA Lifetime Achievement Awards which attendees toured the new Airmen Vice Chairman of the Board for Field were presented to: retired Brig. Gen. James & Family Programs Pavilion, now part of Operations, and Jerry E. White, Vice A. McDivitt; the Civil Air Patrol for its the Technology Exposition. The program Chairman of the Board for Aerospace contributions during World War II; and exhibited tools and resources families Education. Assistant Vice Chief of Staff American Fighter Aces. can use in recovering from deployments, Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog, Cody, and This year’s annual Spouse and Family injuries, or day-to-day realities. Muellner closed the ceremony, laying Forum focused on the resiliency of our a ceremonial wreath in memory of and Air Force families. After hearing from AW AR I G E U CAT IO in honor of all Air Force Association James, Welsh, and Cody, attendees par- Kaci Heins, a teacher at Northland members and supporters who have ticipated in interactive resiliency training Preparatory Academy in Flagstaff, Ariz., passed away in the last year. with Ottis West and learned about suicide was honored as the 29th recipient of AFA’s AFA’s Air Force Anniversary Gala prevention, intervention, and postinterven- National Aerospace Teacher of the Year toasted the service’s 67th anniversary tion with Mary Bartlett. Frank Beatty, Award. Heins distinguished herself by on Sept. 17. Kenneth Goss served as Betty Welsh, and Athena Cody—spouses integrating aerospace into her classroom, master of ceremonies. During the event, the following were saluted with national aerospace awards: Retired Gen. C. Robert “Bob” Kehler, former commander, US Stra- tegic Command, with the H. H. Arnold Award, recognizing the most significant contribution to national security by a member of the military; Ashton B. Carter, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, with the W. Stuart Symington Award, recognizing the top contribution by a civilian in the field of national defense; Boeing’s C-17 Globemaster III, with the John R. Alison Award, for the CMSAF James Cody entitled his conference presentation “The Enlisted Perspective.” He also delivered the keynote address at the Outstanding S t a f f h o o b ri s t i n a a rri l l Airmen of the Year banquet. 7 2 AIR FORCE Magazine / November 2014 S t a f f h o o b ri s t i n a a rri l l P h o o b D a n H i g g i n s school, and community. Her entire sci- Above left: Barbara Taylor, managing director of the Air Force Memorial, speaks ence curriculum has NASA and science, with airmen at the technology exposition. Above right: Nora Ruebrook (l), who was elected AFA National Treasurer during the convention, catches up with retired Gen. technology, engineering, and mathematics John Shaud, former AFA executive director and now senior advisor. challenges integrated to provide hands-on and real-world experiences for her sixth- management. In concert with AFA’s mis- Marvin L. Tooman, of West Des Moines, grade students. The award recognizes sion to educate, advocate, and support, the Iowa, was elected for a second term as educators for their accomplishments and delegates approved a Statement of Policy National Secretary. Nora Ruebrook, of achievements in promoting and engaging and Top Issues for 2015, a document that Honolulu, was elected for a first term as today’s youth in STEM. As AFA’s top represents AFA’s position on topics of National Treasurer. teacher, Heins received a $3,000 cash importance to the Total Force, veterans In other elections, national directors award and plaque. and retirees, and Air Force civilians, as elected for a three-year term were: Kevin In addition, AFA honored Ken Steffey well as key modernization and national L. Jackson, of Washington, D.C., East Area from Winter Park, Fla., as the CyberPatriot security issues. Director; Gary L. North, of Fort Worth, VI Coach of the Year. Ron Woerner, of Bel- Texas, Director at Large; and Kent D. Ow- levue, Neb., was named CyberPatriot VI’s AFA E EC IO S sley, of Dayton, Ohio, Director at Large. Mentor of the Year.