Are you a member of the Air & Space Forces Association who hasn’t been involved with AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134? Perhaps you’ve recently joined, or you’ve been a member for years but haven’t had the opportunity to participate.

Well, there’s a lot happening at AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, and we’d like you to join us!

Under new leadership, we’re developing programs, expanding community partnerships, and putting our resources to work throughout the Coachella Valley. We’re doing more than holding meetings. We’re getting things done.

Cyber Education and CyberPatriot

One of our major priorities is expanding cybersecurity education for young people throughout the Coachella Valley. We’re actively involved in CyberPatriot, the Air & Space Forces Association’s national youth cybersecurity education program, which includes a competition where teams of students learn to identify and correct security vulnerabilities in computer systems.

CyberPatriot introduces students to real-world cybersecurity challenges while developing technical skills, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. It also introduces them to potential careers in cybersecurity, information technology, and related fields, including opportunities in the military and aerospace industries.

This year, we’re supporting two CyberPatriot competition teams from La Quinta High School’s Air Force JROTC and a team from the Palm Springs Civil Air Patrol. Our Chapter provides mentoring, technical assistance, equipment, and other resources to help these students prepare for and participate in the competitions.

An important part of our expansion is a new portable computer lab developed by our Executive Vice President, Iain Parsons, who leads our Cyber Education programs. The lab consists of four Dell notebook computers and supporting equipment, allowing us to bring hands-on cybersecurity instruction directly to students rather than requiring them to have access to a dedicated computer lab.

This gives us much greater flexibility in where and how we conduct training. We can work with students at schools, Civil Air Patrol facilities, community organizations, and other locations throughout the Coachella Valley. The portable lab is particularly valuable for reaching students who may not have access to suitable computers or established cybersecurity programs. It also allows our mentors to work directly alongside students as they learn and practice.

We’re also providing three new Dell notebook computers to the Palm Springs Civil Air Patrol Squadron. While these will be valuable for CyberPatriot training and competitions, they’re intended to support the Squadron’s broader needs as well, including cadet education, leadership development, training exercises, administrative activities, and other CAP programs. We recognize that Civil Air Patrol does much more than CyberPatriot, and we want this equipment to be a resource for the Squadron across its many activities.

This past summer, we conducted a weeklong Cyber Camp at the College of the Desert IT Center, bringing together students from several schools for cybersecurity instruction and hands-on activities. We’re planning to continue these camps and expand our educational outreach.

Looking ahead, we want to bring Cyber Education to additional schools and youth organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs and communities in the eastern Coachella Valley where transportation and access to technology can present challenges. We’re also looking for additional mentors, instructors, and volunteers with technical experience who would like to work with young people.

Mission Grant Program

We’ve launched a program providing one-time grants of up to $500 to veterans, active-duty military personnel, spouses, and family members facing immediate financial needs. Our first Mission Grant has already been approved and funded. We’re raising additional funds to continue helping people when a relatively small amount of assistance can make a significant difference.

Young Eagles and Aviation Education

We’re working with EAA Chapter 1116 at Jacqueline Cochran Airport in Thermal, supporting its Young Eagles program, which introduces young people to aviation through free introductory flights. We’re also exploring ways to expand aviation and aerospace education opportunities throughout our region.

And There’s More to Being a Member!

Our Air Commandos lunches bring together veterans, aviation enthusiasts, community members, and guests for interesting speakers, presentations, conversation, and good company.

Our Air Commandos lunches are held every other Wednesday, and our Chapter business meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Both take place at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 4, featuring Steve Garfein speaking about Artificial Intelligence. His background includes working with Microsoft on the launch of Microsoft Project and serving on the Hughes Helicopters management team that developed the Apache helicopter.

We Want You to Be Part of AFA Palm Springs!

Membership isn’t just about belonging to a national organization. It’s an opportunity to make a difference right here in the Coachella Valley. Whether your interests are aviation, aerospace, cybersecurity, education, supporting veterans, or simply connecting with people who share those interests, there’s a place for you in our Chapter.

Already an AFA member? We want to meet you! Your experience, ideas, and participation can help us expand these programs and develop new ones. You don’t need to be an Air Force veteran or have a technical background. Just bring your interest and enthusiasm.

Not yet a member? Now is an excellent time to join the Air & Space Forces Association and become part of Palm Springs Chapter 134. And membership doesn’t have to cost anything! AFA even offers a FREE Mission Member tier, making it easy for anyone interested in our mission to become involved.

Join AFA here: https://www.afa.org/join/

Your membership connects you to a national organization dedicated to supporting our Air and Space Forces while giving you the opportunity to participate in programs making a difference in our own community.

Visit our website at https://AFAPalmSprings.org to explore our programs, and see our upcoming meeting schedule.

Better yet, come to our next lunch or meeting. Bring a friend, introduce yourself, and find out how you can participate.

We’re building an active, involved Chapter, and we’d like you to help shape its future.

Join us. Get involved. Help us make things happen!

Thank You!

Our next Air Commandos Lunch is this Wednesday, October 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

As usual, no formal agenda. We’ll catch up on what has been happening with AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, update everyone on the progress of our programs and initiatives, and talk about what is coming next.

But this time we also have a two-part program that I think everyone will find especially interesting.

First, Iain Parsons will demonstrate and explain CyberPatriot, the national youth cybersecurity education and competition program supported by the Air & Space Forces Association.

We have been talking quite a bit about CyberPatriot, our local teams, and the equipment and training we provide. I know that for most of our members, exactly what these young people do in the competitions remains a mystery. Iain will show us how it works, what the students are learning, and why this program is so important.

Then we are going to do something a little different.

I am going to introduce everyone to Emily, my AI assistant, in person.

For some time now, Emily and I have been working together on many of our Chapter activities, including communications, research, planning, and developing new programs. She has become a regular part of how I get things done.

Rather than just talking about artificial intelligence, I thought it would be much more interesting to demonstrate it. Emily will introduce herself, talk about how we work together, and then take questions directly from everyone at lunch.

You can ask her about AI, what it can do, how it works, or just about anything else you might be curious about. It should make for an interesting conversation, and perhaps a few surprises!

As always, our Air Commandos lunches are informal, and guests are welcome. You don’t have to be an AFA member to join us.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
ROC’s Firehouse Grille
36891 Cook Street
Palm Desert, CA 92211

Can’t attend in person? Join us on Google Meet!

Video call: https://meet.google.com/ake-vjgx-vda

Or dial: (413) 351-4266
PIN: 483 207 635#

Additional dial-in numbers: https://tel.meet/ake-vjgx-vda?pin=5799834573812

Come join us for lunch, conversation, a look at what our young CyberPatriot competitors are doing, and an opportunity to meet Emily!

www.AFAPalmSprings.org

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 17, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1116 will be hosting another Young Eagles event at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal, introducing young people to the excitement of aviation through free airplane flights with volunteer pilots.

The Young Eagles program gives young people ages 8 through 17 an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane and learn more about aviation firsthand. EAA Chapter 1116 has introduced thousands of young people to flying, including celebrating its 5,000th Young Eagle flight earlier this year.

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is pleased to support these opportunities to introduce young people to aviation and encourage their interest in future aviation and aerospace careers.

Visitors are welcome, but please contact us in advance so we know you are coming.

Activities begin around 8:00 a.m., with most of the flying taking place during the morning. The event is expected to conclude around noon or 1:00 p.m., so an early visit is recommended.

Location:
Thermal Aviation, Hangar 2
56-935 Warhawk Way
Thermal, California

Use the west entrance gate indicated on the accompanying map. Someone is normally available to admit visitors. Once inside, follow the EAA signs toward Hangar 2. The usual meeting room entrance is at the southwest corner of the hangar.

For information or to arrange a visit, contact Ian L. Sitren, President of AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, at ian@AFAPalmSprings.org.

We look forward to seeing another group of young people discover what flying is all about!

Thanks!

Today, October 16, is National Veterans BBQ Day!

There is something very American about getting together around a barbecue. Good food, good conversation, and an opportunity to spend time with friends, family, and neighbors.

For veterans, those gatherings can mean something more. The friendships and bonds formed during military service often last a lifetime. Sometimes getting together over a plate of barbecue is all it takes to reconnect, share a few memories, and enjoy the company of people who understand those experiences.

At the Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134, bringing people together is an important part of what we do. Our Air Commandos lunches and Chapter meetings give veterans, active-duty service members, aviation enthusiasts, and members of our community an opportunity to connect.

And while barbecue is the theme of the day, we want to give a special thank you to ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert, where we hold our regular gatherings. Their hospitality and welcoming atmosphere have made ROC’s a great meeting place for our Chapter, and we appreciate having them as part of our community.

So on National Veterans BBQ Day, fire up the grill, invite a veteran, and enjoy some good company. And remember, you don’t need a special day to do it!

Learn more about our Chapter and activities at https://afapalmsprings.org

Thanks!

On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the purchase and outfitting of two armed vessels to intercept British supply ships. That decision marked the beginning of what would become the United States Navy, even before the United States declared its independence.

From the wooden sailing ships of the Revolutionary War to today’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, submarines, and advanced naval aviation, the Navy has played an essential role in American history.

One of the most remarkable connections to that history is the USS Constitution, launched in 1797 and still a commissioned U.S. Navy warship. Known as “Old Ironsides,” she remains a reminder of the sailors, ships, and traditions that helped establish American naval power.

Over 251 years, the Navy has defended our nation, protected maritime commerce, maintained freedom of navigation, and responded to crises around the world. Its history is also the history of generations of sailors whose service has taken them far from home, often into dangerous and uncertain circumstances.

Today, the Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134 extends our congratulations and appreciation to the United States Navy, its active-duty sailors, veterans, and their families.

Happy Birthday, U.S. Navy!

The Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134 is now accepting applications for our new Mission Grant program.

For a veteran, active-duty service member, spouse, or family member, an unexpected expense can quickly become a serious financial crisis. Sometimes a few hundred dollars can make an enormous difference.

Mission Grant was created to help address those immediate needs by providing one-time financial assistance of up to $500 to eligible applicants facing a demonstrated critical need.

Our goal is to provide assistance where it can make a meaningful difference, through a confidential application and review process that respects the privacy and dignity of those seeking help.

We also encourage our members, community partners, veterans organizations, and military families to help spread the word. Someone you know may be facing a financial difficulty that Mission Grant could help resolve.

For more information about Mission Grant, eligibility, and the confidential online application, visit the Mission Grant page on our website https://afapalmsprings.org

We are putting our Chapter’s commitment to supporting those who serve into action.

Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Thank you for your generous support of our programs and community. Please click here… https://square.link/u/CD9bweYJ

Thank You!

This Wednesday is an important Chapter Lunch Meeting for the Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134, and everyone is welcome.

We will be joined by John S. Leyerle, Director of Honor Flight Southland, for a presentation about the work of Honor Flight and its mission of taking our veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.

Since 2005, Honor Flight has honored 339,226 veterans with this experience, bringing generations of veterans to Washington to see the memorials built in recognition of their service.

Honor Flight has a special connection to our Chapter. Our own USAF Major Lee Cohen was among the veterans honored with an Honor Flight experience. Lee recently spoke at one of our Air Commandos lunches about his own remarkable Air Force service, including his participation in Operation Nickel Grass. Having John with us gives us an opportunity to learn more about the organization that made Lee’s Honor Flight possible and what that experience means to veterans and their families.

We will also conduct our Chapter business meeting, and there is a great deal to talk about. In just the last several weeks, we have accomplished an extraordinary amount. New programs are moving forward, new relationships are being established, our Cyber Education efforts are expanding, our Mission Grant program is being developed, and we are creating new opportunities for our members and our community.

We will also be talking about our growing relationship with EAA Chapter 1116 at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport and its Young Eagles program, connecting young people with aviation through their first flight experiences and creating opportunities for us to work together in aviation, aerospace, STEM and Cyber Education.

We will review what we have accomplished and, just as importantly, what is next on our agenda.

Wednesday, October 7, 2026
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
ROC’s Firehouse Grille
36891 Cook Street
Palm Desert, CA 92211

Can’t join us in person? Join us remotely on Google Meet.

Google Meet joining info
Video call link:
https://meet.google.com/aru-tnqp-xfc

Or dial:
(US) +1 281-407-6747
PIN: 949 282 448#

More phone numbers:
https://tel.meet/aru-tnqp-xfc?pin=4912812776562

Come for lunch, hear an important presentation, meet some interesting people and find out what is happening at AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134. Whether you join us at ROC’s or remotely, we would like to have you with us.

Thank You!

Cyber and AI education continues to be an important and growing program for the Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134.

This past summer, students from schools across the Coachella Valley came together for our five-day Summer Cyber Camp at the College of the Desert Information Technology Center. A team of instructors and AFA members provided hands-on instruction and guidance in cybersecurity, computer technology and related subjects. The program also included presentations and discussions involving artificial intelligence, an increasingly important part of the technology skills young people will need for the future.

Now our attention has turned to CyberPatriot 19.

We are currently supporting three CyberPatriot teams with 15 students age 17 and younger. Two teams are from the Air Force JROTC program at La Quinta High School, and a third is from Civil Air Patrol Palm Springs.

Our involvement goes beyond financial support. Two AFA personnel are providing technical mentoring and general assistance. We have asked the teams to let us know about additional computer hardware, networking equipment or other technical resources they may need. We are also supporting activities that help build teamwork and cohesiveness as the students train and compete.

For the Civil Air Patrol team, we are prepared to assist with a meeting and training location if needed, including the networking capabilities necessary for the team to work together.

But CyberPatriot is only one part of where we are going.

We are looking beyond the schools and organizations that have traditionally participated in Cyber Education and exploring ways to reach more young people throughout the Coachella Valley. That includes potential partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs and other youth organizations, particularly in communities of the eastern Coachella Valley where access to technology resources and specialized Cyber and AI instruction may be more limited.

One concept we are exploring is a portable Cyber and AI computer lab. Laptops, networking equipment and related technology could be assembled into a system that could be taken to Boys & Girls Clubs, community centers, libraries, after-school programs and other locations where young people already gather.

Instead of always asking students to come to the technology, we can bring the technology and instruction to them.

Such a capability could support introductory Cyber and AI programs, workshops, multi-day programs and future Cyber Camps. It could also introduce students to opportunities for continued involvement through programs such as CyberPatriot.

The Anderson Children’s Foundation has provided important financial support for our Cyber and AI Education efforts. That support has helped make our activities possible and gives us resources to continue developing these programs as we identify additional students, organizations and communities we can serve.

Our goal is sustainable growth. We want to reach more young people while making certain they have the instruction, equipment, facilities and resources necessary to make their participation meaningful.

CyberPatriot, Cyber Camps, AI education and community-based programs are not separate efforts. They can become different points of entry for young people to discover technology, develop skills and find educational and career opportunities they might not otherwise have considered.

There is much more we can do, and we are working to build the partnerships and resources to do it.

We would welcome any of you who would like to join our AFA team and help us grow these programs. You do not need to have computer or technical experience. There is a place for you to help with organization, logistics and general support.

If you would like to be part of what we are doing, please send me an email at Ian@AFAPalmSprings.org

Thank You!

This trophy has become a visible reminder of what Cyber Education can accomplish here in the Coachella Valley.

The CV Cyber Cup is awarded through our local CyberPatriot competitions, supported by Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134. Today, the trophy is displayed front and center in the trophy case at La Quinta High School, where their AFJROTC CyberPatriot teams have earned their place on it as the 2024 and 2025 champions.

And there is plenty of room for more names.

CyberPatriot is about much more than winning a competition. Students develop practical cybersecurity skills, learn to work together under pressure, solve problems and gain experience in a field that has become increasingly important to our military, businesses, government and everyday life.

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is supporting a number of Cyber teams throughout the Coachella Valley and continuing to develop our Cyber Education programs. We want to help schools and other organizations establish teams, connect students with instructors and mentors, provide opportunities for competition and introduce young people to the possibilities available in cybersecurity, technology and related careers.

La Quinta High School has participated with us previously, and we are pleased that their AFJROTC program is continuing with CyberPatriot this year. Their commitment to the program is evident every time someone walks past this trophy case.

But we also want some competition for that trophy, and we are committed to that.

We would like to see more schools, other organizations and more students throughout the Coachella Valley become involved, build their own Cyber teams and come after the CV Cyber Cup.

There are six open spaces waiting for future champions.

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is ready to help fill them.

And we could use your help. If you would like to work with us as an assistant or mentor, we would welcome you. You do not have to be a cybersecurity expert. There is a place for non-technical volunteers as well, helping with organization, coordination and general program support.

If you would like to become involved, send me an email at Ian@AFAPalmSprings.org

Thank You!