Building the Future of Cyber and AI Education in the Coachella Valley

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

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!

The CV Cyber Cup and the Future of Cyber Education

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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!

Civil Air Patrol and a Mission of Service

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This is a remarkable piece of Civil Air Patrol history from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, civilian aviation across the United States was largely grounded. Yet on September 12, a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 172 Skyhawk, tail number N9344L, was authorized to fly over New York City.

The mission was extraordinary. New York officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency needed aerial photographs to assess the devastation at the World Trade Center. With authorization from the National Command Authority, three Civil Air Patrol officers took N9344L into the air. They made four orbits over New York City and photographed the destruction below. Those photographs were then provided to government agencies for analysis. 

That aircraft is now part of the collection of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, preserving an important example of Civil Air Patrol answering the call when the nation needed it. 

Stories such as this help explain why supporting Civil Air Patrol is part of the mission of AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

CAP serves as the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, but its importance extends well beyond that relationship. Its members provide emergency services, support communities and disasters, promote aerospace education and give young people opportunities to develop leadership skills while discovering aviation, aerospace and service.

Here in the Coachella Valley, we want AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 to be an active supporter of Civil Air Patrol and its local members. That means looking for opportunities to work together, supporting their programs, helping make connections within the community and making sure more people understand what CAP does and why it matters.

Our Chapter is placing an increasing emphasis on programs that introduce young people to aviation, aerospace, STEM and Cyber Education. Civil Air Patrol is an important part of that larger effort.

The aircraft in this video flew an extraordinary mission more than 25 years ago. The larger mission of Civil Air Patrol continues today.

Watch the video here Civil Air Patrol and 9/11

Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day

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Today is Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, a day of remembrance and a day to recognize the families who carry the loss of a loved one who died in service to our nation.

The Gold Star tradition reaches back to World War I, when families displayed service flags with a blue star representing each family member serving in the Armed Forces. When a service member died, the blue star was replaced by a gold star. From that tradition came the terms Gold Star Mother and Gold Star Family.

In 1936, Congress designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day. Over the years, the observance has broadened to recognize the families who have shared in that loss, and today we observe Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.

Behind every Gold Star is a name, a life, and a family. The star represents a sacrifice that does not end when the ceremonies and honors are over. For the mothers, fathers, spouses, children, siblings and other family members left behind, that loss remains a part of their lives.

Today, the Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134 joins communities across the nation in honoring our Gold Star Mothers and Families. We remember their loved ones and recognize the sacrifice of those who served and the families who carry their memory forward.

Their sacrifice. Our gratitude. Always.

Air Commandos Lunch and a Chapter Moving Forward

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Wednesday’s Air Commandos Lunch was a good example of what these gatherings are becoming for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134. It was not a formal Chapter business meeting, but it gave us an opportunity to hear an outstanding presentation, exchange ideas and bring everyone up to date on some of what has been happening within the Chapter in just the last two weeks.

First, a very special thank you to USAF Major Lee Cohen for his presentation on Operation Nickel Grass, the massive U.S. strategic airlift to Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Lee was personally involved in the operation, and that firsthand experience brought a perspective to the presentation that went far beyond simply recounting the history.

Lee took us through the enormous logistical challenges of the operation, including the refusal of most European allies to provide bases, which forced American aircraft to operate through the Azores and along a long Mediterranean corridor. He discussed the C-141s and C-5s that moved thousands of tons of supplies, equipment and even tanks, and an operation that at its peak was putting an aircraft on the ground in Israel about every 15 minutes. The C-5 proved particularly important, carrying nearly half of the cargo weight despite accounting for a much smaller percentage of the missions.

Everyone was very engaged. The questions and discussion continued well beyond the presentation itself, particularly as Lee talked about his own responsibilities, the people involved and what it took to keep such an enormous airlift operating under wartime conditions. That interaction is exactly what we want our Air Commandos Lunches to be.

But there was another important part of Wednesday’s lunch.

Although this was not a Chapter business meeting, AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is moving quickly on a lot of fronts, and we want to make sure our members know what we are doing.

Our new Mission Grant Program is moving ahead. The program will provide one-time grants of up to $500 to a veteran, active duty service member, spouse or family member facing a critical need. We are developing the online application and will establish a three-person committee to review requests so that decisions can be made quickly while protecting the privacy of applicants.

We are very pleased that Chapter member Joe Veca volunteered to serve on the Mission Grant Committee. Thank you, Joe, for stepping up and becoming part of this new program. We still have two positions to fill on the three-person committee.

We are also rebuilding and expanding our Cyber Education initiatives. We have been reaching back out to previous instructors and mentors while developing new ideas for shorter, focused Cyber programs that can reach students throughout the Coachella Valley. One concept discussed Wednesday was a half-day program that could bring students together for concentrated hands-on Cyber instruction. We are also looking at existing educational programs that can help us reach students at different age levels.

That work is already producing results and renewing relationships. La Quinta High School AFJROTC, which has participated with us previously, has told us it intends to register at least one CyberPatriot team again this year. We will be meeting with them this coming Tuesday. We are also continuing to develop our relationship with EAA Chapter 1116 at Jacqueline Cochran Airport as another opportunity to connect young people with aviation, aerospace, STEM and Cyber Education.

We are also looking for program volunteers. We do not expect everyone to take on a major job. What we need are people willing to take responsibility for specific pieces of these programs. We particularly need volunteers for the Mission Grant Committee and people interested in helping with our expanding education efforts. The need for additional volunteers was one of the clear priorities discussed Wednesday.

At the same time, there is a great deal happening behind the scenes. Nancy Parsons, Iain Parsons’ wife, is working to identify new grant opportunities that could help fund our programs. Although retired, Nancy brings 25 years of experience as a paralegal along with considerable experience in the world of grants. We are getting Chapter leadership and organizational information updated in AFA National’s online records. The Chapter now finally has a permanent mailing address at 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive #5811, Palm Springs, CA 92263-7254.

We are also working to improve our financial procedures and have now met with a possible bookkeeper to discuss professional accounting support. There are many more responsibilities and reporting requirements involved than simply adding and subtracting from a checkbook ledger. Having our financial records and reporting handled properly is very important to our credibility and our future success.

Fundraising will become increasingly important as these programs grow. We discussed crowdfunding, greater member participation and the need to build sustainable funding for both Mission Grant and our education programs. With more than 500 Chapter members, even relatively small individual contributions can collectively make a significant difference.

There is a lot happening, and much of it has come together in a very short period of time. We are building programs, developing new partnerships, improving the way the Chapter operates and looking for new ways to put our resources to work in the community.

That is why we want to keep everyone updated even when we are not holding a formal business meeting.

And again, thank you to Major Lee Cohen for an informative and engaging presentation, and to everyone who joined us, asked questions, offered ideas and became part of the discussion.

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is moving forward, and there is much more to come.

Thanks!

Air Commandos Lunch Tomorrow

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Our next Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow Wednesday, September 23 at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert, please join us.

We will be joined by USAF Major Lee Cohen, who will discuss Operation Nickel Grass, the extraordinary 1973 U.S. airlift that delivered critical military supplies to Israel during the Yom Kippur War.

As always, Air Commandos is an opportunity to get together for lunch, conversation and camaraderie. But this Wednesday we also have some important things to talk about as we continue moving AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 forward.

We will be discussing ideas for our new Cyber Program initiatives and where we want to take our youth education efforts. We will also talk about our new Mission Grant program, providing one-time grants of up to $500 to a veteran, active duty service member, spouse or family member facing a critical need.

And we need some help. As these programs begin to take shape, there are opportunities for Chapter members and friends to become involved as program volunteers. You do not need to make a major commitment. Sometimes having the right person willing to help with one part of a program can make all the difference.

There is no charge to attend. You only pay for your own lunch and beverage, and everyone is welcome.

If you cannot join us in person, join us by Google Meet:

Video call:
https://meet.google.com/xad-gpux-okz

By phone:
(US) +1 661-615-8143
PIN: 228 789 989#

More phone numbers:
https://tel.meet/xad-gpux-okz?pin=3132595125246

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
11:30 a.m.

ROC’s Firehouse Grille
36891 Cook St.
Palm Desert, CA 92211

Come for lunch, hear a fascinating piece of Air Force history, bring your ideas, and help us build what comes next for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Thanks!

EAA Chapter 1116 Reaches 5,000 Young Eagles

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Congratulations to our friends at EAA Chapter 1116, Jacqueline Cochran Airport, Thermal, California, on an extraordinary milestone. In January, the Chapter flew its 5,000th Young Eagle!

For years, EAA Chapter 1116 has been giving young people in the Coachella Valley something that can make a lifelong impression: the opportunity to get into an airplane and experience flight firsthand.

With 5,000 Young Eagles flown, this is by far the most established, successful and accomplished program in the Coachella Valley for introducing young people to aviation. Behind that number are thousands of individual experiences that may have sparked an interest in flying, aerospace or a future career.

Our AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is proud to now be involved with EAA Chapter 1116. As we expand our education efforts throughout the Coachella Valley, working together opens even more doors for students to explore STEM, Cyber Education, the Air Force and Space Force, and the many paths available to them.

Five thousand Young Eagles is a remarkable accomplishment. Congratulations to the pilots, volunteers and everyone at EAA Chapter 1116 who made it possible.

We are proud to be working with EAA Chapter 1116 as they head toward 10,000 Young Eagles.

Learn more about EAA Chapter 1116 and its programs at chapters.eaa.org/eaa1116.

Thanks!

Operation Nickel Grass A Firsthand Account

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Our next Air Commandos Lunch will take us back to a critical moment in U.S. Air Force history.

On Wednesday, September 23, AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 member USAF Major Lee Cohen will talk about his role in Operation Nickel Grass, the massive American airlift that supplied Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

When the war began on October 6, Israel was rapidly consuming ammunition and other military supplies. The United States responded with Military Airlift Command C-5 Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter aircraft flying thousands of miles to deliver urgently needed equipment and materiel.

Over 32 days, the Air Force delivered 22,395 tons of cargo on 567 missions. Nickel Grass demonstrated the reach and capability of American strategic airlift while also revealing lessons that would influence the future of U.S. air mobility.

Major Cohen was part of that operation, and on September 23 he will share his experiences and perspective on what it took to carry out this enormous mission.

For those who would like to know more about Operation Nickel Grass before joining us, Air & Space Forces Magazinepublished an excellent history of the operation by Walter J. Boyne, former director of the National Air and Space Museum and a retired Air Force colonel. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/1298nickel

The lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge to attend. You only pay for your own lunch and beverage.

Join us September 23 for an opportunity to hear the story of Operation Nickel Grass from one of our own.

Thanks!

Introducing Mission Grant

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today is an important day for the military community.

It is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, when we remember those who endured captivity, those who never returned home, and the families who continue to wait.

It is also the 79th birthday of the United States Air Force.

It seems like an especially appropriate day for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 to announce something new.

We are introducing Mission Grant, a program designed to provide one-time grants of up to $500 to veterans, active-duty service members, spouses and military family members facing an immediate and demonstrated financial need.

The idea behind Mission Grant is simple.

Sometimes a relatively small amount of money can keep a difficult situation from becoming a genuine crisis. It might be a $400 car repair that allows someone to continue getting to work. It might be groceries for the widow of a veteran trying to make it through the end of the month. It might be a prescription, a utility bill or another unexpected expense.

We cannot solve every problem. But sometimes as much as $500 can solve the problem that matters right now.

Requests will be reviewed by a small Chapter committee, and applicants and recipients will be treated confidentially. We do not believe someone should have to publicly share a difficult personal situation in order to ask for help.

We are still putting the final application procedures in place, and an online application will be available soon.

Today we have launched a new Mission Grant page on the AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 website where you can learn more about the program.

Visit AFAPalmSprings.org and select Mission Grant from the main menu.

The mission of the Air & Space Forces Association is Educate. Advocate. Support.

On a day when we remember those who served, honor those who never came home, and celebrate 79 years of the United States Air Force, Support seems like a particularly appropriate word.

Mission Grant is one more way AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is putting our mission to Support into action.

Thank You!

Happy 79th Birthday United States Air Force

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today we celebrate the 79th birthday of the United States Air Force.

On September 18, 1947, the United States Air Force officially became an independent military service with the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947. Until then, America’s military aviation had been part of the Army, most recently as the U.S. Army Air Forces. The experience of World War II had demonstrated the importance of air power and the need for a separate military service.

The organization we know today as the Air & Space Forces Association actually predates the Air Force. AFA was founded in 1946 under the leadership of General Jimmy Doolittle, with advancing air power and establishing an independent Air Force among its earliest priorities.

From its beginnings in the years immediately following World War II, the Air Force evolved through the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and decades of operations around the world. Today, its mission reaches far beyond flying aircraft, encompassing global mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber operations, nuclear deterrence and rapidly developing technologies.

Another major evolution came in 2019 with the creation of the United States Space Force as a separate military service within the Department of the Air Force. AFA now represents and supports both Airmen and Guardians.

For AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, this history is very much a part of who we are. Here in the Coachella Valley, we carry the AFA mission forward through Cyber Education, Teacher of the Year, our relationships with students and educators, Civil Air Patrol and aviation organizations, and our growing connections with veterans, active-duty military and military families.

Educate. Advocate. Support. Those three words defined an important purpose for AFA when it was founded 80 years ago, and they continue to define our mission today.

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 proudly recognizes the generations of Airmen who have served our nation and those serving around the world today.

Happy 79th Birthday to the United States Air Force!