35 th AWACS Anniversary Yes/No? and our Options? AWACS Luncheon 23 March 2012
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35th AWACS Anniversary
Yes/No? and our Options?
AWACS Luncheon
23 March 2012
Welcome to our Guests
Col Thomas E. Engle 552 ACW Vice Commander
and
Lt Col Greg A. Kent552 ACW Director of Staff
Agenda
Situation 2012 Our Case Options Decision (s)
Situation 2012
2012 marks the 35th Anniversary of the delivery of the first Boeing E-3A AWACS to the USAF and the 552 AWACW (now the 552nd ACW)
Situation 2012
Issue: The 552nd ACW is no longer strictly a flying unit. The 552nd Operations Group is the flying
arm of the wing with five flying squadrons, one training squadron and one support squadron
The 552nd Air Control Group is the ground control arm of the wing with five ground based air control squadrons and two support squadrons
Situation 2012
Due to the current makeup of the 552nd Wing Leadership feels it would not be appropriate to have an AWACS only reunion/anniversary
Additionally, the wing has questions regarding the timing of the previous Anniversaries Held in June in 1997, 2002 and 2007
March 1977 is when 1st E-3 Delivered and when the 1st Operational Flight occurred Thus 1977 is the base year and Summer (June) was
most likely chosen because it is the traditional time for vacations
In any case, the year is the correct starting point and the time of the year should not be the focal point for anniversary calculations
Situation 2012
We (the AWACS Community) are behind the power curve for any June Anniversary events
552 ACW has several change of commands scheduled for mid-summer
For de-confliction purposes: 2-5 Aug 2012: AEW&C Reunion in Colorado
Springs 17-20 Oct 2012: 623rd AC&W Reunion in OKC
Our Case
AEWA: Comprised of AEW Unit personnel The majority are E-3 AWACS veterans Many are also EC-121 Connie veterans
There has been an AWACS Anniversary every five years hosted by the 552nd since June 1997
Many AWACS personnel (current and former) look forward to this event
Our Case
The cycle of once every five years was purposely chosen so as not to place a burden on the current and former AWACS community and the wing
In 2007 we all closed the 30th events with the intent of meeting again at Tinker in 2012 for the 35th Anniversary
Since then little has been done to plan for any anniversary events in 2012
Our Case
No 35th Planning Committee formed No events are currently planned Yet there is an existing desire from
the AWACS community to have a 35th Anniversary and/or Reunion
Options
Contract with a Private Company who specializes in Organizing Military Reunions
For example: A Complete Reunion (Web Site) Military Reunion Planners (Web Site) Armed Forces Reunions (Web Site)
A Reunion Planner
Reunion planners can: Negotiate and arrange Hotel rates Arrange for Tours and Transportation Arrange for Social Functions
Dinners, Banquets, Social Hours, etc. Handle Registrations (Online
registration) On-site Check-in w/attendee Packets Etc.
Event Options Icebreaker Reunion Banquet Farewell Brunch OKC, Bricktown and National Memorial Tour(s) National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Tour TAFB Tour and/or 552nd ACW Tour E-3 Static Display (Dock 3) Golf Tournament BBQ
Any other ideas?
Event Options
Memorabilia: 35th Anniversary Print (in progress) 35th Anniversary T-Shirts 35th Anniversary Coins 35th Anniversary Ball Caps
Location Options
Oklahoma City, OK and TAFB Past reunions held here
Others locations mentioned: Dayton, OH and Wright-Patterson AFB Destin, FL and Eglin AFB Colorado Springs, CO and Peterson AFB Pensacola Beach, FL and Eglin AFB Las Vegas, NV and Nellis AFB
Issue: not much time to arrange for a new/alternate location
Decision ?
One, we do not officially represent the entire AWACS Community so what we decide here today is really just on us
Two, if we opt to do something then volunteers are needed to make it happen and a planning committee needs to be formed
Decision ?
If there is a decision to proceed with any 35th Anniversary events we will have to engage the local Air Force Association Chapter for non-profit top cover AFA Gerrity Chapter 215, TAFB, OK.
Volunteers will be needed even if we opt to go with a reunion organizer
Decision ?
Our Choices: Give Up? Go small but do something? Go a bit bigger and attempt several
events? Go for the gusto and see what
happens?
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