Air Force Association

A New Way to Join the Air & Space Forces Association Free!

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The Air & Space Forces Association has introduced something completely new.

For the first time, AFA now offers a free Mission Membership. This new membership makes it easier than ever for anyone with an interest in our Air Force, Space Force, aerospace, aviation, STEM education, or national security to become part of the AFA community. Again, membership is open to everyone.

Mission Membership provides access to AFA news, educational programs, webinars, research, national events, and local Chapter activities. Whether you have served in the military, work in aerospace, are a student, educator, or simply support the mission of the Air & Space Forces Association, there is now a place for you in AFA at absolutely no cost.

This is also a tremendous opportunity for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Every new member strengthens our Chapter and helps us expand our educational programs, CyberPatriot, community outreach, aerospace education, and partnerships throughout the Coachella Valley. The more members we have, the more we can accomplish.

If you are already an AFA member, thank you for your continued support.

If you know someone who has ever thought about joining AFA, now is the perfect time. Invite your family, friends, neighbors, fellow veterans, active duty military, educators, students, pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in aerospace and our nation’s defense.

Joining is easy.

Simply visit:

Join AFA

When completing your registration, please be sure to select Palm Springs Chapter 134. That simple step helps strengthen our local Chapter and ensures you receive information about our activities, meetings, educational programs, and special events.

It costs nothing.

It only takes a few minutes.

We look forward to welcoming many new members to AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Thank You!

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From the Air Force Global Strike Command by Airman 1st Class Bryan Crane, 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs – December 6, 2012

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. —  “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan,”- Franklin Roosevelt.

President Roosevelt uttered these well-remembered words the day after the Pearl Harbor attacks.

Seventy-one years later, we still remember the fallen victims of that day.

The Pearl Harbor attack, at the time, was the largest enemy assault on United States territory. By the end of the day, more than 2,000 individuals had lost their lives.

Today, we thank those that gave their lives that day, those who defended our home and who would continue the fight throughout World War II.

At 7:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, a Japanese force of 183 airplanes attacked U.S. military and naval facilities on Oahu without warning.

For 30 minutes, dive bombers, level bombers and torpedo planes struck airfields and naval vessels. Not only did the attack hit the fleet at Pearl Harbor, but also air bases at Ford Island and Kaneohe Bay, the Marine airfield at Ewa and the Army Air Corps fields at Bellows, Wheeler and Hickam.

After a 15-minute lull, another wave of 170 planes launched a second attack at 8:40 a.m. Japanese aircraft destroyed 151 U.S. planes on the ground and sank or damaged all eight U.S. battleships anchored in Pearl Harbor.

However, not all American assets were damaged in the attack.

“The Japanese success was overwhelming, but it was not complete. They failed to damage any American aircraft carriers, which by a stroke of luck, had been absent from the harbor,” according to the Naval History and Heritage Command.

The next day, the U.S. declared war on Japan and entered World War II, changing the trajectory of the war, and of history.

This flag was flown on the U.S.S. St. Louis at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, the day of the Japanese attack. It was later flown on the U.S.S. Iowa in Tokyo Bay at the time of the Japanese surrender in 1945. – National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Veterans Day – A Moment of Honor and Reflection

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Today, we pause to recognize the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform and carried its responsibilities with courage, commitment, and sacrifice. Veterans Day is not simply a date on the calendar—it is a reminder that freedom has a cost, and that cost has been paid by generations who stepped forward when the country needed them most.

The image here was photographed yesterday at the Fields of Valor installation in Cathedral City. Among two thousand waving flags, each tribute tells a personal story. This one honors a Vietnam veteran who earned the Purple Heart—an unmistakable reminder of the human toll of service and the quiet strength that defines so many who return home carrying both visible and invisible wounds.

As we mark Veterans Day, AFA Palm Springs extends our gratitude to every veteran, from every era, and to the families who stood beside them. Whether you served overseas or stateside, in combat or in support, your service continues to shape the freedoms and security we depend upon today.

We invite our community to take a moment—today and every day—to reflect on that service, to thank a veteran, and to carry forward the respect they deserve.

Keep Watching The Skies!

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“Watch the skies. Everywhere. Keep looking. Keep watching the skies!”. This iconic line is from the 1951 science fiction film “The Thing from Another World”. But in this case many of these launches are clearly seen all the way out here in the Coachella Valley.

Starting in 2026, The U.S. Air Force has approved SpaceX’s proposal to increase launch rates from Vandenberg Space Force Base to up to 100 rockets per year, doubling the previous limit. This approval allows SpaceX to use a second launch complex, SLC-6, which will support up to five Falcon Heavy launches and landings per year, alongside increased Falcon 9 activity at SLC-4. This expansion follows the completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and a Record of Decision signed on October 10, 2025.

Launch increase: The annual cap will increase from 50 to 100 launches, combining Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy missions.
New launch complex: A second launch complex, Space Launch Complex (SLC)-6, will be used for up to five Falcon Heavy launches and landings annually.
Facility upgrades: The approval includes authorization for new infrastructure, such as a new hangar, to support the increased activity.
Environmental review: The decision was based on a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a Record of Decision signed in October 2025, which concluded that noise impacts would not be significant, though mitigation measures will be implemented.
State opposition: The California Coastal Commission previously opposed the expansion, citing concerns about noise and environmental impacts, but the federal government maintains that launch operations are exempt from state oversight. 

The Day NASA Went to Space… with a Corned Beef Sandwich

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Astronauts Gus Grissom (foreground), command pilot; and John Young, pilot, are shown inside their Gemini III spacecraft as they prepared for their launch from Cape Kennedy, Florida, on March 23, 1965. (NASA)

Gemini III was supposed to test spacecraft maneuvers and prove America could handle two men in orbit. Instead, it became famous for something far more down-to-earth: a smuggled corned beef sandwich.

Astronaut John Young tucked the deli special into his spacesuit pocket, courtesy of Wally Schirra, and surprised Gus Grissom mid-flight. For a moment, outer space smelled like a New York deli. But the laughter didn’t last — crumbs floated free in zero-G, raising alarms about what could happen if one drifted into the controls.

Congress wasn’t laughing, NASA tightened the rules, and the “space sandwich” went down in history as the snack that changed spaceflight policy.

👉 Want the full bite-by-bite account? Read NASA’s official story here:
https://www.nasa.gov/history/fallout-from-the-unauthorized-gemini-iii-space-sandwich/

Freedom, Air Power, and Palm Springs: A 4th of July Reflection

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This Independence Day, while we gather with family and friends, it’s worth remembering that Palm Springs played a direct role in defending freedom in the air.

In 1941, as the world plunged into war, the War Department certified improvements to Palm Springs’ small municipal airport, transforming it into the Palm Springs Army Air Field. The clear skies and proximity to March Field and Los Angeles made it ideal for emergency landings and training missions. By early 1942, a new, larger airfield was completed, becoming a staging field for the Air Corps Ferrying Command. Crews trained here, aircraft were serviced here, and the skies above the Coachella Valley filled with the sounds of engines working to secure freedom far from home.

Personnel lodged at the nearby La Paz Guest Ranch, and Western Airlines landed daily under a government license, showing the intersection of military preparation and civilian life that helped sustain the war effort. By the war’s end, over 1,600 acres were used for runways, taxiways, hangars, barracks, and the infrastructure necessary to support Airmen on their missions.

When you see the fireworks this July 4th, remember that the freedom they celebrate was, and still is, safeguarded in part by the airpower that took off and landed here in Palm Springs.

The Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter continues that legacy of service, community, and education, supporting today’s Airmen and preserving the stories of those who came before.

Happy Independence Day!

Smash Burgers, Fries, and Good Times with Air Commandos

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We did love the Smash Burgers today for our casual “Air Commandos” meet-up at ROC’S Firehouse Grille. ROC’S is the best!

Join us every other Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’S Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street, Palm Desert, CA 92211. You’ll meet some interesting people while enjoying lunch and good conversation.

Over the summer, please send us an email at AFAPalmSprings@outlook.com first, as there are no special programs until fall—just lunch and good times together.

Only cost is your own lunch. See you there!

AFA Air Commandos Lunch Recap – Maj. Lee Cohen Shares His Honor Flight Experience

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On Wednesday, June 18, the Palm Springs Chapter of the Air Force Association hosted Maj. Lee Cohen, USAF (Ret.) as our featured speaker at our Air Commandos Luncheon at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

Maj. Cohen shared stories from his recent journey with Honor Flight Southland Mission 18, a trip to Washington, D.C., with fellow veterans. The Honor Flight experience included visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery—culminating in an emotional “Welcome Home” reception at LAX.

For Maj. Cohen, a veteran of 119½ combat missions in Vietnam, this trip served as both tribute and healing. For those in attendance, his presentation offered insight into what the Honor Flight means to veterans.

One of the touching moments shared was how each veteran received a bag filled with handmade cards and letters from local schoolchildren—many expressing gratitude, drawing American flags, and writing simple but powerful messages like “Thank you for your service.”

About Honor Flight
The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization that honors America’s veterans by providing free trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service. The program focuses on veterans from WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Honor Flight Southland, which coordinated Maj. Cohen’s flight, serves veterans from across Southern California and relies on volunteers and donations to make each mission possible. From airport send-offs to school letters, the experience is designed to give these veterans the tribute they never received.

Thank you to Maj. Lee Cohen for sharing this journey and for his decades of service to the United States Air Force.

For more information or to get involved, visit:
https://www.honorflightsouthland.org

AFA Air Commandos Lunch – Maj. Lee Cohen’s Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

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Join Us – AFA Air Commandos Lunch: Major Lee Cohen’s Honor Flight

On Wednesday, June 18, we welcome Maj. Lee Cohen, USAF (Ret.), for a special AFA Air Commandos luncheon at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert. He’ll be sharing highlights from his recent Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where veterans visited memorials in their honor and experienced a long-overdue welcome home.

Maj. Cohen’s story is one of service, sacrifice, and reflection—from the Vietnam War and Red River Rat sorties to being recognized decades later during this moving tribute to veterans.

Date: Wednesday, June 18
Location: ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook St., Palm Desert, CA
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
No RSVP required

There is no event charge—just pay for your own food and beverage.

This is a unique chance to hear a veteran’s powerful journey from combat missions to an Honor Flight homecoming. All are welcome—bring a friend or fellow aviation enthusiast.

June 18 AFA Air Commandos Lunch – Maj. Lee Cohen’s Vietnam Combat Missions and More

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PLEASE NOTE CORRECTION… WEDNESDAY JUNE 18TH THANK YOU

Join us for the next AFA Air Commandos Luncheon on Wednesday, June 18, featuring Maj. Lee Cohen, USAF (Ret.), as he recounts his extraordinary experiences during the Vietnam air war—including Red River Rat sorties and missions supporting Operation Rolling Thunder.

This is a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from a combat-proven Electronic Warfare Officer who flew 119½ missions over North Vietnam and served across the Cold War and Southeast Asia theaters.

Highlights of Maj. Cohen’s service:

  • Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Enlisted in the Air Force in 1957 while still in high school
  • Began as an Airborne Radio Operator on C-119s
  • Took and passed the U.S. Air Force Academy exams at Offutt AFB
  • Trained as an Aviation Cadet and graduated Navigator Flight School (Harlingen, TX, 1958–59)
  • Completed Electronic Warfare School at Keesler AFB, Mississippi in 1960
  • Served at Stewart AFB (1960–63), then Elmendorf AFB in Alaska with the 317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
  • Deployed to Southeast Asia during 1966–67, flying from Takhli, Korat, Udorn, and Ubon in Thailand

Aircraft flown: A1E, EB-57, EB-66, F-102, F-105, T-33
Combat operations: Operation Rolling Thunder, Red River Rat sorties

Post-Vietnam assignments:

  • After 119½ combat missions, returned to the U.S.
  • Assigned to Norton AFB, CA (MAC, “Wing EWO”)
  • Served at McGuire AFB, NJ (MAC, 21st EWO)
  • Participated in operations supporting the return of U.S. POWs from Vietnam
  • Completed training, operations, and planning roles until retirement
  • Decorations: Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and nine Air Medals

Maj. Cohen retired from the Air Force in June 1978 with the rank of Major.

Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Location: ROC’s Firehouse Grille 36891 Cook St., Palm Desert CA
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
No RSVP required and no event charge other than your own food and beverage.

Come hear this remarkable veteran share a story of duty, danger, and dedication. All are welcome—bring a friend or a fellow aviation enthusiast.