Welcome to 2018…..
Hopefully everyone had a Happy Holiday Season and are looking forward to great things in 2018.
Before I launch into what’s planned for 2018, how about a little recap of everything that happened the last three months of 2017.
October had several significant events: I was finally able to present the Chapter’s K-8 Teacher of the Year award to Tonya Connelly of Copper Ridge Elementary School in Coro- na de Tucson, after finally finding an opening in her busy schedule.
We held our chapter elections during our October 27 luncheon with the following re- sults: President – Wally Saeger, Vice Presi- dent – Mark Koechle, Secretary – SSgt Mark Lindsay, and Secretary – Marie Lankford. We were fortunate to have our own chapter mem- ber Congresswoman Martha McSally as our guest speaker. She gave an enlightening presentation on what is happening in our Na- tion’s capital and on meeting President Trump for the first time.
We also sponsored the Phoenix Military En- trance and Processing Station “Haunted House” at the request of chapter member Cap- tain Sandra Spoon who is assigned there. The haunted house raised $486 of which we donat- ed $480 to the MEPS morale fund.
Things didn’t slow up in November as there was an ALS graduation on November 2 to attend and hand out the distinguished graduate awards and then the ALS school house renam- ing ceremony the next day. The D-M ALS is now known as the CMSgt Carl E. Beck Air- man Leadership School in recognition of the numerous contributions by CMSgt Beck (both on active duty and after he retired) to the suc- cess of the ALS. Chief Beck was also an ac- tive member of Chapter 105 serving as the chapter’s treasurer. The 433d Airlift Wing Civic Leaders from San Antonio Texas were in Tucson Nov 16-17 and I participated in a welcome social where I had the chance to discuss AFA, what we do as a chapter to sup- port our airmen, and how to get in contact with their local Alamo Chapter. Finally, the Tucson Military Affairs Committee sponsored a Thanksgiving Lunch for the dorm residents which the chapter helped sponsor financially and several members pitched in on the dayto
set up, serve and cleanup after feeding approxi- mately 500 of the dorm residents.
December saw our annual Daedalians/AFA Christmas Dinner and Awards Presentations. This is an opportunity for members of both or- ganizations (a lot of whom are members of both) to get together and celebrate the holidays and make some special presentations. The Daedali- ans presented their scholarships to the aviation cadets from the three ROTC programs at the U of A, while our chapter presented a scholarship to a non-aviation cadet from the AFROTC program. In addition, the Daedalians presented their “Pilot of the Year Award”. There were numerous other “social” opportunities in December including another ALSgraduation.
Looking forward to 2018, we will journey to 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron’s am- munition storage area, more popularly known as the bomb dump for our January chapter meeting, January 23. While we haven’t finalized our Feb- ruary chapter meeting, March will be busy with the Heritage Flight 2-4 March and Luke’s Air Show 10-11 March. Unfortunately, D-M’s Air Show which was scheduled for 17-18 March had to be cancelled when the Blue Angels unexpect- edly cancelled their participation. I’ve already been approached by the Frank Luke chapter to provide volunteers from our chapter to help them man what should be a very busy AFA booth, so more details to follow.
Our annual Golf Tournament will be Friday, April 13 in Green Valley at the Haven Golf Course. Even if you don’t golf, you support the event in other ways; to find out how, contact me or Dick Roberts.
And long range planning, we will be looking for your help in identifying outstanding STEM teachers to be considered for our chapter Teach- ers of the Year. We can select one K-8 teacher and one high school teacher by March31st.
Our chapter is hosting the Southwest Region Conference June 23, so expect more information on that.
There is never any lack of things to do in the chapter to help make us better and help us better support our airmen so feel free to contact any of the people on left to find out how you can help.
Remember EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, SUP- PORT
Wally Saeger, President
Tucson Chapter’s October Meeting Presentation Congresswoman Martha McSally
Congresswoman and Tucson AFA Member Martha McSally addressed the October 27th luncheon meeting of the Tucson Chapter 105 at the Club Ironwood at Davis-Monthan AFB.
The Congresswoman noted that Con- gress understands the needs of the Air Force and that operations can’t continue “on the cheap”. Sequestration has cut approximately 20% in needed military funding, but it is anticipated that FY18 will see an increase in $70B, over se- questration, for the Air Force.
Rep. McSally noted that both the A-10 and EC-130 need replacements, but at the present time that doesn’t appear that will happen.
Presently there are 283 A-10s in inventory in 9 operational squadrons.173 aircraft havehad
wing replacements and could fly into the 2030s. The other 110 need wing replacement at a projected cost of
$103M. The funding to support the A-10 Warthog was included in both the House Defense Appropriations bill and approved by the House
Know your Tucson Chapter 105 Officers
V. P. Community Outreach—Heidi Goldman
A graduate of the University of Arizona, Heidi has a teaching degree, but couldn't find work fresh out of college. When one door didn't open, she built a window of opportunities. And so
began a series of entrepreneurial careers:
First as a make-up artist, landing her a key position as the East-Coast National Training Executive with Christian Dior in
NYC. When Heidi moved back to Tucson, she taught over 2,000 students as a remedial tutor and piano teacher. Heidi discovered universal problems with her music students and ventured forth to create a unique line of teaching tools for students age 3 and older
that were sold nationwide and in Europe to motivate students and help them learn in an exciting
way. PureGold Teaching Tools, Inc. was then created out of love and necessity. Her teaching methods won rave reviews as one of the year's top educational resources in Scholastic's Instructor
magazine. Her teaching tools have been recognized in The Arizo- na Daily Star and a number of national magazines. Heidi won Make A Difference Award in 2013 at Sunrise Elementary School in Tucson.
Heidi was the publisher for WHERE magazine & Tucson GuestBook, responsible for increasing revenue, creating new
Armed Services Committee.
The A-10 provides the close air support and combat search & rescue and survivability that other aircraft
L-R: V.P. Mark Koechle, Rep. Martha McSally, Pres. Wally Saeger, N/L Editor Dick Roberts
marketing strategies, taking care of social media, blogging for
local businesses to help increase their visibility and revenue, and was recruited by AFA Chapter 105 to be their Vice President of Community Outreach.
lack. When asked by President Trump about the F-16/F-35 vs the A-10, Rep. McSally noted they were not as good in the mis- sion that the A-10 was designed for. When asked specifically by the President, about the A-10, Rep. McSally stated that the A-10 was a “bad-ass airplane with a biggun”!
Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. McSally has consistent- ly advocated for necessary funding to keep the A-10 fleet and EC
-130 operational. Rep. McSally also effectively preventedthe proposed premature retirement of the A-10 fleet under the previous administration. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, located in Rep. McSally’s district, houses 83 A-10 Warthogs.
When asked about the prospect of the F-35 for D-M, she noted that it is not currently in the running.
Rep. McSally is presently the only female Republican veteran in Congress and sits on the Armed Services and Homeland Secu- rity Committees.
Heidi Goldman can be found out and about networking with The Tucson Hispanic of Chamber, Southern Arizona Concierge Network and Visit Tucson events, traveling the world, ballroom dancing in Vienna, singing off key, looking for her next adven- ture.
Chapter Helps Raise Money for Homeless Vets
Your chapter sponsored a hole at the Raytheon golf tournament held Friday, November 10 at the Forty -Niner Golf Course. The tournament was sponsored by the Ray- theon Women’s Network and Raytheon Employee Veter- ans’ Network to raise funds for the Primavera Founda- tion’s work to help the homeless and other less fortunate
people within the Tucson area. In- cluded in this group are the many homeless veterans in the Tucson ar- ea.
Supporting the effort on the day were
Left to Right: Mark Koechle, Vicki Jo Ryder and Wally Saeger
Vicki Jo Ryder, Mark Koechle, and Wal- ly Saeger. During the tournament, we talked to each foursome about the bene-
fits of being an AFA member and informing them about our 2018 golf tournament. About
half of the teams took entry blanks so they can participate in our tournament so a win-win for us and the Raytheon tournament which raised $3,266 for the Primavera Foundation.
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Chapter AFROTC Scholarship Winner
This year, the chapter awarded a $500 scholarship to University of Arizona AFROTC Cadet Zachary Dunn. Cadet Dunn, a Cadet Colonel in AFROTC Detachment 020, is in his senior year at the University of Arizona where he is studying Economics. Cadet Dunn is the vice wing commander in the fall semester which has been great preparation for him to move up to wing commander for the spring semester. Cadet Dunn was selected by Colonel Thomas Nicholson, the detachment Professor of Aerospace Studies, based upon his academic and military studies performance, and his potential as an officer in the United States Air Force. Cadet Dunn’s career choice is cyber security/operations. After he graduates and is com- missioned in May 2018, Cadet Dunn will journey to Maxwell AFB, AL to start his formal training and his Air Force career.
AFROTC Cadet Zachary Dunn is awarded his scholar- ship by Chapter 105 Presi- dent, Col (Ret) Wally Saeger at the 2017 Daedalians/AFA Christmas Party and Annual Awards Program at Club Ironwood on December 7, 2017.
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Air Force Association
Tucson Chapter 105
Annual Golf Tournament
Haven Golf Course—Green Valley Friday, April 13, 2018
8 AM Registration, 9AM Shotgun/Scramble Registration Form
Individual players are welcome and will be matched with a foursome Name:Phone: Name: Phone: Name: Phone: Name: Phone:
Registration Fees:
$70 per player or $260 for a foursome, if registered prior to March 17th.
$80 per player or $300 for a foursome, if registered after March 17th.
Registration deadline: April 6, 2018
All registrations include lunch following the tournament.
For lunch only, cost is $10.
Amount enclosed:$
Please make out checks to: AFA Tucson 105
Mail to: Dick Roberts, Chair, 1319 W. Mariquita St., Green Valley, AZ 85622 For tournament information: 520-648-5749,
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Chapter’s K-8 Teacher of the Year: Tonya Connelly
Although the chapter selected Tonya Connelly as our Chapter K-8 Teacher of the Year back in April, due scheduling conflicts we were not able to present her award until October. Tonya teaches STEM and Ad- vanced Math for grades K-5 at Copper Ridge Elemen-tary School in Corona de Tucson which is part of theVail Unified SchoolDistrict.
This was the first year (2016-17) for the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) program at Copper Ridge since it was the first year that Copper Ridge was open. Mrs Connelly was asked by the school’s principal, Erica Irby, to establish the program and curricu- lum from scratch. While Art has only been recently associ- ated with the other elements of STEM (Science, Technolo- gy, Engineering and Math), Tonya sees STEM as a way inspire the Art portion of the program. She also sees STEAM as a way for her students to discover things or view things differently than they had in thepast.
According to Copper Ridge’s principal, “Mrs. Connelly’s greatest accomplishment is the creation and development of the STEAM and Advanced Math programs. These programs provide an educational opportunity to foster the love of math and science while encouraging the positive self-
concepts, creative expressions, critical thinking, and academic excellence of students as they are challenged to reach their highest individual potential. Mrs. Connelly always seeks to provide an exciting learning environment to challenge, enrich, and accelerate each student.”
Tonya Connelly proudly displays her Chapter TOY Certificate
Tonya received a Teacher of the Year Certificate signed by then Chapter President, Mark Koechle, a TOY pin, and a check for $150 from thechapter.
“A Little Bit of History”
Northrop F-89 Scorpion
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was an Amer ican all-weather interceptor built during the 1950s, the first jet-powered air- craft designed as such from the outset to enter service. Though its straight wings limited its performance, it was among the first USAF jet fighters equipped with guided mis-siles and notably the first combat aircraft armed with air-to- air nuclear weapons (the unguided Genierocket).
Production was authorized in January 1949, with the first production F-89A flying in Sep-
tember 1950. Only 18 F-89As were completed, which were mainly used for tests and trials, before the type was upgraded to
the F-89B, with new avionics. The type entered service with the 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in June 1951.
The major production model was the F-89D, which fir st flew 23 October 1951 and entered service in 1954. Arma- ment was two pods of 52 2.75 in (70 mm) "Mighty Mouse" rockets, for a total of 104. A total of 682 were built. In Au- gust 1956 a pair of F-89D interceptors were scrambled from Oxnard Air Force Base to shoot down a runaway F6F-5Kdrone leading to “The Battle of Palmdale” incident *.
The final variant was the F-89J. This was based on the F- 89D, but replaced the standard wingtip missile pod/tanks with 600 gal (2,271 l) fuel tanks and fitted a pylon under each wing for a single MB-1 Genie nuclear rocket (sometimes sup- plemented by up to four conventional Falcon air-to-air mis- siles). The F-89J became the only aircraft to fire a live Genie as the John Shot of Operation Plumbbob on 19 July1957.
A total of 1,050 Scorpions of all variants were produced.
General characteristic
- Crew:2
- Length: 53 ft 9 1⁄2 in (16.40m)
- Wingspan: 59 ft 8 1⁄2 in (18.20m)
- Height: 17 ft 6 in (5.33m)
- Max. takeoff weight: 42,241 lb (19,161kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Allison J35-A-35 afterburningturbojets
Performance
- Maximum speed: 635mph
- Ferry range: 1,366 mi (1,188 nm, 2,200km)
Armament
- Rockets:
- 104 × 2.75 in "Mighty Mouse" folding-fin aerialrockets
- 16 × 5 in aerial rockets on underwingracks
5*
Community Partner Program
For more than 40 years, businesses have been joining the Air Force Association to support both AFA National and local AFA chap-
ters. Becoming a Community Partner is a great way to get your business involved with your local Air Force Community. Community Partners are partnership businesses that want to assist both AFA National and the local AFA chapters by becoming involved in Community efforts to support the United States Air Force.
By forming a partnership with your local AFA chapter, your business will help AFA fulfill their mission to promote a dominant Unit- ed States Air Force and a strong national defense. Any business or organization can become a CP and have two options for member- ship:
Category One (CP I) $90.00 annually- Business can designate one person to receive AFA Membership and enjoy all benefits thereof.
Category Two (CP II) $180.00 annually- Business can designate two people to receive AFA Membership and enjoy all benefits thereof.
Not only does a Community Partner receive all the benefits of an AFA membership, such as a variety of product and service dis- counts, insurance programs, and much more, but the partner will also receive the following upon joining AFA:
Date Medallion Wooden Plaque
8”x5” “Our Business Supports Our Troops" Window Decal
If your business is interested in becoming a Community Partner, you should first contact your local chapter.
For questions or for more information on the program, please contact: Dave Carrell, , (520) 305-4407
Have your business become a part of a great cause and show your patrons that you support our Air Force!
Tucson Chapter’s Community Partners
A & E Specialty MarketingElliott M. Klahr / Chick-fil-A
Matt Hountz / La Posada Lodge & Casitas
Juan Loo, Sales & Catering Mgr
P. O. Box 4423 / 3605 E. Broadway Blvd / 5900 N. Oracle Rd
Rio Rico, AZ 85648 / Tucson, AZ 85716 / Tucson, AZ 85704
520-281-1369 (P) / 520-321-4232 / 520-887-4800 (P)
520-980-0515 (C) / 520-293-7543 (F)
/ Ciruli Brothers / ascendcollection.com
5 Calle Cristina
Chick-fil-A / Rio Rico, AZ 85648 / Jackson Oil Company
Dave Carrell / 520-281-1456 / Robert Ferretti
6675 E. Grant Rd. / 623-217-8005
Tucson, AZ 85715 / Vantage West Credit Union
520-305-4407 / Cindy Brainer
P.O. Box 15115
Tucson, AZ 85708
Chick-fil-A520-298-7882
Jim Paine800-888-7882
4885 N.OracleRd.Vantagewest.org Tucson, AZ85705
520-408-2456
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Davis-Monthan
Airman Leadership School Renamed
The Davis-Monthan Airman Leadership School (ALS) was renamed the CMSgt Carl E. Beck Airman Leadership School in a ceremony on November 2, 2017 attended by about 75 friends and family of Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Carl Beck and the Airman Leadership School. The ALS is the first for- mal professional military education course for the Air Force enlisted corps and provides airmen with the knowledge and