Chapter Grows Community Reach

Members of the chapter visited Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, and leadership from the 17th Training Group to promote AFCEA as the professional organization of choice for military personnel training and working in the intelligence field.  Representatives from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps intelligence training units attended, along with representatives from Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas. Col. Jeffrey Sorrell, USAF, deputy director for operations and communications, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command (AETC), opened the luncheon with welcoming comments and introduced distinguished guests including Col. Robert Ramirez, USAF, vice commander of the 17th Training Wing; Col. Tony England, USAF, commander of the 17th Mission Support Group; and Maj. David Cote, USAF, commander of the 17th Communications Squadron. Col. Sorrell, who also serves as the chapter vice president of military affairs, briefed attendees on the AFCEA organization. Chapter President Rick Lipsey provided a short slide presentation and described the many benefits trainees and cadre would receive by joining AFCEA, such as professional development, mentorship opportunities and networking with other military and industry professionals in the intelligence, cyber and information technology career fields. As lunch wrapped up, Shawn Cressman, vice president of Young AFCEA, gave a brief description of the activities and opportunities associated with joining a robust and active Young AFCEAN community. As an example, Senior Airman Christine Park, USAF, 68th Network Warfare Squadron and a graduate of the Intelligence training pipeline at Goodfellow Air Force Base, gave a testimonial of her journey from training to participating in active missions to her role as secretary of the chapter Young AFCEANs. After the duty day, members of the chapter hosted a happy hour at the Casual Pint in downtown San Angelo, Texas, which was attended by a variety of personnel from Goodfellow Air Force Base and several community leaders, who voiced their support for AFCEA establishing a permanent and growing presence in San Angelo, Texas.