1st Lt. Ahna Arcturus
Home State: Colorado
Chapter: Space Coast Chapter #309 (Fla.)
Joined AFA: 2016
AFA Offices: Treasurer (present), VP of Communications
AFA Awards: Chapter Member of the Year; Volunteer of the Year
Military Service: USAF (Active duty, 2009 to present)
Occupation: Officer, Intelligence, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., (prior enlisted)
Education: Master’s degree, Homeland Security Geospatial Analysis, Penn State; Bachelor’s degree, Political Science (minor Economics), University of Colorado
How did you first hear of AFA?
From my husband, who was serving as the President of our AFA chapter at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
What prompted you to join?
I initially joined for the leadership opportunities and to make a positive impact on and off base.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
The opportunity to lead projects and events that make a positive impact on Airmen, Guardians, and STEM education in the local community.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
I love the Aerospace Education programs for students, especially those which support students from disadvantaged communities with limited STEM access.
How has AFA helped you?
AFA has provided me with leadership opportunities both on base and in the community. As a young NCO, I learned how to lead teams, raise money for Airmen and community projects, execute events that support local education, and foster stronger military-civilian relationships.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
We organize events and opportunities that Airmen, Guardians, and community members are interested in (gaming, robotics, technology, etc). We build a wider Community Partner baseline, to include both defense and non-defense industry-related business, nonprofits, government organizations, institutions, universities, etc.
1st Lt. Savannah Wheat
Home State: Alabama
Chapter: Gen. David C. Jones Chapter #135 (N.D.)
Joined AFA: 2013
AFA Offices: Chapter VP Membership; Chapter VP of STEM Outreach
Military Service: USAF Officer
Occupation: ICBM Maintenance Officer (Munitions and Missile Maintenance Officer), Minot Air Force Base, N.D.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Psychology, Auburn University, Ala.
How did you first hear of AFA?
As an Arnold Air Society (AAS) cadet in ROTC.
What prompted you to join?
After AAS, I loved being part of the Aerospace Education mission. There is so much we, as advocates of the Air Force, can do to educate the general public on Air/Space Force capabilities. As they say, knowledge is power.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
I enjoy watching multi-functional individuals from around base and in the community join together with a common mission.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
I’m partial to STEM education. STEM outreach to the young kids in our community is a wonderful program to be involved with. They are our future and our future is growing technologically every day.
How has AFA helped you?
AFA has given me the opportunity to interact with leaders in the community and on base that I wouldn’t have otherwise have crossed paths with. Networking and becoming a family that loves the Air/Space Force had been a blessing.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
A pull to our organization is ‘passion’. Passion for the Air/Space Force and general service to our nation. If we are passionate about our AFA mission, we will spread awareness and passion to our communities.
MSgt. Kristine Richardson
Home State: California
Chapter: John C. Stennis Chapter #332 (Miss.)
Joined AFA: 2020
AFA Office: Chapter Vice President
Military Service: USAF, Active duty (15 years)
Occupation: Biomedical Equipment Technician, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
Education: Two Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) degrees (Biomedical Equipment Technology and Human Resource Management); completing Bachelor’s degree in Management (November 2021)
How did you first hear about AFA?
One of my mentors told me about AFA when I first arrived at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
What prompted you to join AFA?
Most private organizations do not have a STEM component in their mission. I thought this was amazing, and I wanted to take a deep dive into AFA and be a part of it.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
I really enjoy the camaraderie between members, interacting with people from all over the state, and learning from their perspectives.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
My favorite AFA event was when our chapter participated in the AFA Takeover on Instagram. I enjoyed the opportunity to showcase our members and highlight our activities.
How has AFA helped you?
AFA has given me the opportunity to learn from others and expand my network. There is so much history in this organization and listening to stories of how we have come to be is enlightening.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
I believe the best way to build awareness is through AFA’s educational programs, CyberPatriot and StellarXplorers. By introducing AFA at an early age, students can perpetuate our mission by sharing their experience with friends and family and familiarizing them with the organization.
MSgt. Tim Tanbonliong
Home State: Maryland
Chapter: Langley Chapter #323 (Va.)
Joined AFA: 2018
AFA Offices: Chapter Aerospace Education Committee member; Chapter Secretary
AFA Award: VA State Medal of Merit
Military Service: U.S. Space Force (February 2021 to present); United States Air Force (2007 to 2021)
Occupation: Imagery Analyst, Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) Training Manager at Headquarters, Air Combat Command, Readiness Division, Langley Air Force Base, Va.
Education: Master’s degree, Psychology, University of Phoenix; Master’s degree, Strategic Intelligence (China & East Asia Program), National Intelligence University, Bolling AFB, D.C.; Bachelor’s degree, Information Technology, AMA Computer University, Philippines; Associate degree, Intelligence Studies, CCAF, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
How did you first hear of AFA?
I first heard about AFA more than a decade ago through community announcements on base.
What prompted you to join?
Circa 2018, a request for volunteers to attend a local AFA chapter-sponsored professional development seminar was sent to our unit. I was curious and made it a point to attend. The organization’s mission and community programs resonated with me, and I was struck by the local chapter officials’ relentless desire to serve and elevate others (the former eventually became my mentors). Through frequent seminar participation and interactions with local chapter officials, I discovered that AFA’s values were compatible with mine: sharing knowledge; taking care of people; and giving back. All these prompted me to become a lifetime AFA member.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
The unique opportunity to help others and learn from people hailing from diverse backgrounds.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
There are several programs, but first one that comes to mind is supporting local AFJROTC programs (Aerospace Education). The joy and pride of the cadets and their families upon graduation is something you cannot buy. I hope my children get to experience what I have witnessed.
How has AFA helped you?
AFA has been a professional and moral compass for me: reminding me of my purpose and mission within the U.S. Armed Forces.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
I believe the broader military community, academe, and industry are key in promoting AFA’s agenda through major platforms (i.e. symposia, community programs, supporting base programs, and outreach). However, with the plethora of associations with competing interests out there, individuals may have difficulty discerning which organizations are worth their time and resources. I recommend that AFA … continue to do what it does best: build strong, multilateral partnerships with other organizations (e.g. other service-oriented associations, local councils, USO, sporting events, welfare programs, etc.) and take an integrated approach on efforts that benefit our communities. … AFA will continue to set the standard for others to follow suit, and perhaps attract future leaders and talent in the process.
TSgt. Damita Stevens
Home State: California
Chapter: Mile High Chapter #127 (Colo.)
Joined AFA: 2017
AFA Offices: Mile High Secretary; Mile High VP of Communications; Colorado State Secretary
AFA Awards: 2020 State Exceptional Service Award; 2019 State Medal of Merit
Military Service: USAF/U.S. Space Force (2012 to present)
Occupation: Flight Chief/Unknown Signals Analyst, Buckley Space Force Base, Colo.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Information Systems, Park University, Mo.
How did you first hear of AFA?
Mark “Buster” Douglas briefed my [Airman Leadership School] class at Langley Air Force Base, Va., about AFA. At the time, I thought he was talking about Air Force Sergeants Association [AFSA], … but then the local chapter funded the transportation to the Air, Space & Cyber Conference and my eyes opened, and that was it. I was sold.
What prompted you to join?
The ASC Conference is really what prompted me to join. I work in intel, and it can be hard to feel like you are involved in the “real” Air Force. Coming to that conference I got to meet CMSAF [Kaleth O.] Wright and all of these people from career fields I only remember hearing about from my recruiter.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
The real money in the membership is the relationships you build, the connections you make across the community, and the opportunities that grow from the cool work we do.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
ASC, no contest! It is such a cool event. No other service has another event that brings together nearly 15,000 people to get excited about their service!
How has AFA helped you?
AFA has helped me in many ways, but the biggest is in the mentorship opportunities. Meeting people like Linda Aldrich and Stephen Gourley has been so invaluable.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
The Active-duty Airmen and Guardians don’t know who we are. A lot of them get us confused with AFSA and while some know about our events, they don’t necessarily make the connection that AFA is behind them. I went to the AFA Convention and the vast majority of everyone I saw appeared to be over the age of 50; I think we are really missing the modern piece. Social media and branding is essential, and I think we have some room to grow.
Roman Hund
Home State: Minnesota
Chapter: Gen. E.W. Rawlings Chapter #213 (Minn.)
Joined AFA: 1989
AFA Offices: Chapter President, Chapter VP
Military Service: USAF, Colonel (Ret.)
Civilian Roles: Director, RSM U.S.
Occupation: Cybersecurity, Minneapolis
Education: Master’s degree, Strategic Studies, Air War College; Master’s degree, Management Information Systems, University of Montana; Bachelor’s degree, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota; Bachelor’s degree, Engineering, University of St. Thomas, Minn.
How did you first hear about AFA?
During an AFROTC program in college.
What prompted you to join AFA?
At that time, the free membership.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
The support AFA provided to Airmen across the various units I was a part of in USAF.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
The Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
How has AFA helped you?
The Rawlings Chapter was instrumental in helping me build my network from scratch in Minnesota after retiring from Active duty.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
Get involved with Active, Guard, Reserve, Civil Air Patrol units, their activities and priorities. Help the Air Force connect to communities, government, and industry.
Caty Rozema
Home State: Colorado
Chapter: Lance P. Sijan Chapter #125 (Colo.)
Joined AFA: 2018
AFA Offices: Colorado State VP for Aerospace Education; AFA National AEC member; Strategic Plan Committee member; Air Force Ball Chairwoman
AFA Awards: 2018 Chapter Citation; 2019 State Exceptional Service Award; 2020 Colorado State Member of the Year
Occupation: Associate Director, AT&T Air Force and Space Force Programs, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, English, Communications, and Art, Calvin University, Mich.
How did you first hear of AFA?
I was introduced to AFA after I was recruited in the hallway of my office building to join the Air Force Ball committee. I had to Google what AFA meant!
What prompted you to join?
I loved the energy of everyone I met through the AF Ball committee, so I transitioned onto the AFA board to serve alongside many of the same people.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
Those with whom I serve are incredibly dedicated to our Airmen, veterans, and their families. Their dedication is infectious and makes me excited to be part of it. As someone who’s never put on a uniform, I truly feel like my work with AFA allows me the honor of serving those who currently wear a uniform and those who wore one in the past. I don’t take that honor lightly.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
I have to pick just one? That’s tough! I love that AFA’s Aerospace Education programs like CyberPatriot and StellarXplorers make STEM accessible to young people around the country (and world!). I am overwhelmed by the outstanding service of our CAP cadets. I’m inspired by our Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings members. I’m in awe of our Outstanding Airmen, Teachers of the Year, and scholarship recipients. AFA puts the best of the best on full display!
How has AFA helped you?
AFA has afforded me the opportunity to sit among giants, people who have dedicated their lives to service in one form or another. It is humbling and inspiring, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from and serve alongside them.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
Relationships, relationships, relationships! We have the opportunity to build relationships with the next generation of leaders through AFA’s programs. We should preach the gospel of AFA to young people who attend CyberPatriot camps, participate in StellarXplorers, serve through CAP, receive a scholarship, and so on. We can learn from them where there are gaps in support, then enlist them to help bridge those gaps. We can forge connections across our community—from military members and their families to veterans hoping to serve or whom we can serve. We can connect talents and resources with areas of need. We need to be the eyes and ears of our community.