STEM education

Why Is AFA Palm Springs Investing in Cyber Education?

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Many AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 members have asked, “Why are we expending resources on a topic that seems removed from airpower?”

The answer lies in the vision of Gen. H.H. “Hap” Arnold, who recognized that airpower requires a technologically literate force. That requirement is even more critical today, as technology now fundamentally shapes how we work, live, learn, communicate, and conduct modern warfare.

To maintain our status as the world’s dominant military power, we must cultivate cyber proficient professionals capable of navigating an era defined by AI driven drones, sophisticated cyberattacks, and advanced weapons systems.

We cannot wait until students enter the U.S. Air Force to build these skills. Through our chapter’s support for CyberPatriot teams, summer cyber camps, and industry field trips, we are helping students develop essential cyber technology expertise early.

Our vision is to build a sustainable pipeline of 100 to 150 students from middle school through college. By preparing them to enter the workforce, we are helping address the national shortage of more than 460,000 cybersecurity jobs across industry, government, and the military. That is a vital contribution to our national security.

At the same time, we are introducing the Air & Space Forces Association to organizations throughout the Coachella Valley that previously had little understanding of who we are or what we do. Our recent award of a $20,000 Cyber Education Grant from the Anderson Children’s Foundation is clear recognition of the value and importance of these efforts to our community.

In future posts, we will explore the origins of our chapter’s cyber education program, its expansion into a Coachella Valley wide initiative, and how our programs help transform local students into technology proficient teams. We will also discuss how you, as an AFA member, can play a role in this important mission. Thank You!

About the Author

James (Jim) McFarlin is President of the Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134. He leads the chapter’s growing Cyber Education initiative, working with schools, industry, and community partners throughout the Coachella Valley to develop the next generation of cyber professionals and strengthen America’s future workforce.

Contact: mcfarlin.jim@gmail.com

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

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

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!

AFA Palm Springs Returns to Regular Chapter Communications and CyberPatriot Updates

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

One thing became very clear after many conversations at our Air Commandos lunches.

Our Chapter has been doing a lot of good things.

The problem wasn’t the lack of activity. It was the lack of communication.

Many of us simply didn’t know what was happening.

That changes now.

One of the best examples is our Cyber Education program under the leadership of Jim McFarlin. It has developed into one of the most exciting and successful parts of our Chapter, yet many members know very little about it. Over the coming weeks Jim will be introducing everyone to the program with regular updates explaining what it is, who is involved, what is happening, and where it is headed.

The next major event is the AFA CyberPatriot Summer Cyber Camp at College of the Desert, July 13 through 17. It introduces high school students to cybersecurity, operating systems, networking, cryptography, incident response, online safety, and much more. It is exactly the kind of program that helps prepare the next generation for careers protecting our nation’s digital infrastructure.

Our Chapter is a major part of making this camp happen, and it deserves our support.

So…find a clean pair of pants and maybe a shirt without chili stains. More information will be coming very soon.

As part of improving communication, I have once again assumed responsibility for the Chapter’s website, Facebook page, and online communications. As many of you know, I turned those responsibilities over to the Chapter in December 2025. Since then, our online presence has been largely inactive.

That changes today.

You can expect regular updates, timely information about Chapter activities, stories about our members and programs, upcoming events, photographs, and the kinds of things that keep us informed about what is happening throughout our organization.

There is a tremendous amount of positive momentum within AFA Palm Springs. Our job now is simply to make sure everyone knows about it.

More to come…

Dana Sanchez Named AFA California Teacher of the Year

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Each year, the Palm Springs chapter of the Air and Space Forces Association honors an outstanding K–12 educator who demonstrates exceptional commitment to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and positively impacts the lives of students. This year, that honor goes to Dana Sanchez, an Information Technology teacher at Coachella Valley High School.

Dana teaches courses in IT, cybersecurity (including CISCO certification), and business information systems. She also played a key role in our 2025 Cyber Cup Competition by coaching two student teams—one of which earned second place in our regional event.

Recognized first as our local Chapter Teacher of the Year, Dana went on to compete with teachers nominated by other California chapters and was ultimately selected as the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2025 California State Teacher of the Year.

In a May 8 awards ceremony held at Coachella Valley High School, Dana was honored in the presence of the school district superintendent and other officials. She received certificates of recognition from the Air and Space Forces Association and Congressman Ken Calvert. In addition, she will be awarded $750 in prize money and an official jacket from the national organization.

The presentation was made by Jim McFarlin, our chapter’s Vice President for Education, and Tony Della-Moretta, Chapter 134 President, with members Becky Humphreys and Phillip Spencer also in attendance.

Dana will further contribute her expertise this summer as an instructor at our inaugural Cyber Camp, taking place June 23–27 at the California State University, San Bernardino – Palm Desert Campus.

This marks the third consecutive year that our chapter’s Teacher of the Year has also received the statewide award—an inspiring testament to the high caliber of educators we are privileged to work with in the Coachella Valley.