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| TUCSON CHAPTER CHAPTER - Dec 12, 2013 |
Commercial Space Travel Design and Simulation |
In December, the chapter hosted Col. Keith Colmer, USAF, Air National Guard adviser to the commander, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), who spoke on engineering design and simulation for Virgin Galactic. Col. Colmer is an Air Force test pilot with more than 5,000 hours in more than 110 different types of aircraft. He was selected as the first Virgin Galactic test pilot and enthralled the audience with the design and capabilities of this innovative commercial venture, including flight footage of White Knight 2 and Spaceship 2. He also highlighted the value of military test experience in adding controls for the test flight evaluations and in creating a state-of-the-art simulator. During the luncheon, Larry Bingaman, regional vice president, presented the AFCEA coin for Outstanding Service to Col. Dick Palmieri, USAF, and Capt. Stacie Voorhees, USAF. Furthermore, the chapter awarded its Armed Forces Leadership in Technology Award (AFLITA). The AFLITA recognizes a top performer pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree in each of the University of Arizona's ROTC detachments with a $500 scholarship. |
Event Photographs: |
 Col. Keith Colmer, USAF, Air National Guard adviser to the commander, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), presents on engineering design and simulation for Virgin Galactic during the chapter's December luncheon. Col. Colmer is an Air Force test pilot and was hired by Virgin Galactic to pilot its White Knight 2 and Spaceship 2 and is currently on military leave. |
 Chapter leaders, ROTC instructors and recipients of the chapter's Armed Forces Leadership in Technology Award together in December are (l-r) Capt. Matt Kahley, USAF, vice president for Young AFCEANs; Maj. Brian Sroufe, USAF, chapter president; Maj. Keith Moreno, USAF; Cadet Alejandro Castanos, Air Force ROTC, scholarship recipient; Midshipman Lauren Morford, Navy ROTC, scholarship recipient; Col. Michael Kuhn, USMC; Cadet Anna VanCleave, Army ROTC, scholarship recipient; and Lt. Col. Benjamin Walters, USA. |
 Larry Bingaman (r), regional vice president, presents the AFCEA coin for Outstanding Service to Col. Dick Palmieri, USAF, for his dedication in developing Young AFCEANs. The chapter has both a chapter and regional distinguished Young AFCEAN this year for the first time in its history. |
For more details regarding this event contact: Stacie Voorhees 4029806772 |
