Air and Space Forces Association - Michigan

06/12/2026

Amy Ely - Michigan AFA 2026 Teacher of the Year!

Thanks to Ashlie and Colleen (previous Michigan Teachers of the Year) for joining us in celebrating Amy’s amazing impact on our next generation.

We had a great AFAing morning talking about MQ-9 worldwide operations as well as presenting Amy with her awards.

06/07/2026

Last Call to Register for this coming Friday's AFA breakfast featuring the topic "Worldwide MQ-9 Operations". CSAF called it the MVP of the current conflict in Iran.

Email from Michigan Air Force Association Reminder to Register REMINDER TO REGISTER - TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY * FRIDAY, June 12th 2026 * 7:30 - 9:30am at Mission BBQ "MQ-9 Reaper ‘Most Valuable Player’ o

05/29/2026

Join us on Friday June 12th to discuss what the Chief of Staff of the Air Force calls the "most valuable player" (MVP) and unsung hero of the air campaign in Iran - the MQ-9 Reaper. Hear from the people who operate these amazing platforms all around the world.

All info and registration links = https://conta.cc/4nW8Azu

05/20/2026

Wow! We just had a discussion on this very topic during our last AFA breakfast. Timely :)

The Air Force plans to start buying advanced new handheld radios in 2027 for aircrew to communicate with search-and-rescue forces.

05/19/2026

* MQ-9 "Reaper" Worldwide Operations *
That's our topic for our next AFA breakfast on June 12th
All info and registration links = https://conta.cc/4nEqRB5
Straight to the registration link = https://afa-mi.org/product/2026-06-12-mq-9-reaper-worldwide-operations/
Open to the public! Join us to plug into all things air and space power :)

05/08/2026

Today was some excellent AFAing in Michigan!

Fantastic presentation on Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) from both the Sandy 01 perspective as well as the Command and Control (C2) aspects. It was directly applicable to current events, as well as insightful, and educational.

Next month we'll look at MQ-9/Reaper worldwide operations and capabilities. The bar keeps rising :)

05/03/2026

Prioritizing Humans over Hardware

Our USAF and Joint Forces CSAR capabilities have a rich heritage and history of hard-earned lessons that have helped hone the amazing skills and dedication we saw a peek of recently in Iran. Join your Michigan AFA for a look at both the sharp tip of the spear as well as the complex and capable command and control that saves lives. Why destroy C-130s and helicopters in the effort? . . . Because people/lives matter. No one left behind . . . and that others may live. It's foundational in the men and women who serve our country and why they are exceptional.

Hear first-hand from experts on CSAR. Join us - open to the public.

All info and registration links for breakfast this Friday at 7:30am =
https://conta.cc/4eXMFVU

AFA's story on the rescue of Dude 44 (The F-15E crew in Iran) = https://www.airandspaceforces.com/dude-44-rescue-massive.../

04/29/2026

A great article from "Ghost" aka - Lt Gen (Ret) Dave Deptula from the Mitchell Institute.
He's right . . . it's always about people

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula reflects on what the rescue of F-15E aviators in Iran reveals about aerospace power.

04/29/2026

Michigan AFA's May 8th Business Over Breakfast will take a look at Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). Diving into hard-earned tactics, techniques, and procedures as well as current events. You won't want to miss it! Open to the public.

Oh - and bacon, coffee, and all the required items from Maslow's hierarchy of needs :)

All info and registration links for the breakfast=
https://conta.cc/4eXMFVU

AFA's story on the rescue of Dude 44 = https://www.airandspaceforces.com/dude-44-rescue-massive-operation-iran-save-downed-airmen/

04/21/2026

Top Air Force leaders paid tribute to the "audacity" of Airmen past and present to at the Doolittle Raiders Memorial Toast.