AACS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

 

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                 AACS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

www.aacsalumni.com

Comprised of over 2,200 members (Communications, Information/Cyber, Air Traffic Controllers, Air Field Managers, Maintenance & other Related Support personnel ) who have served or are serving in any communications or air traffic control unit.

The Term "Communicators" is all inclusive and includes all types of operational, maintenance and administrative skills.

Or hold or held a communications, information/cyber, air traffic control. maintenance or  related support skill set.

"Fellowship in the Company of Equals"

         LEGACY COMMANDS/AGENCIES
  • Army Airways Communications System (AACS) - Nov 1938
  • Army Airways Communications System Wing -  Apr 1943
  • Army Airways Communications System (AACS) - Apr 1944
  • Air Communications Service (ACS) -               Mar 1946
  • Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) - Sept 1946
  • Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) - July 1961
  • Air Force Communications Command (AFCC) - Nov 1979
  • AF Command, Control, Communications & Computer Agency (AFC4A) - May 1993
                 CURRENT COMMANDS/AGENCIES
  • AF Communications Agency (AFCA) -   June 1996
  • AF Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA) - Oct 1991
  • AF Cyber Command (Provisional) -       Oct 2007

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  • All  current and/or past Air Force/ANG Communicators, Information/Cyber, Air Traffic Controllers, Maintenance or related  support skills in any Major Air Command or Joint Command are eligible for membership.
  • Major Air Commands are colored DARK BLUE
 
  • Approximately 35% are Communicators, 35% are Air Traffic Controllers, and 30% are Commanders, Information, Cyber, Maintenance, Adminstrative and other MOS/AFSC's that were or are assigned to communications, information, cyber or air traffic control units. Our Association is approximately 85% Enlisted and 15% Officers.                                                                                                                          

The AACS Alumni Association is a Tax Exempt IRS Certified 501 (c) (19) Veterans  Organization

 

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      Association Links

Links to News, Events, and Membership Information

2008 Convention - Branson Missouri  Sept 24-28th, 2008 INFORMATION & FORMS

Membership Application   (printed cy or On-Line)


Name Change Rationale
Mailing & E-mail Address Changes
Current Officers
PX Order/Contributions
New PX Items-
Ham Radio Net Schedule
Scrapbook
Leadership List

Convention Proposal Form
More AACS Assoc. Info

A snap shot of Grand Island,NY
(2009 Convention)


AF Hall of Fame

POLICIES:

Constitution & byLaws

Hall of Fame Policy   (page of honor)   
Hall of Honor policy                  
Life Achievement policy
Thomas F. Buckley Service Award Policy
Convention Committee Charter
BOD Nominating Committee Charter
Fiscal Policy Charter                    

Position Descriptions      For the Board
Executive Director      Vice Director             Executive Secretary  Treasurer                 
Dir for Membership   Editor & Publisher           Sgt-at-Arms     
   
Membership Roster

ANG Comm Units

Sign the Guestbook
View the Guestbook

NOTE 1: When viewing the guestbook click on a person's name if it is underlined and you will receive their email address automatically. NOTE 2: IF YOU CLICK ON "PRIVATE" ONLY THE WEB MASTER CAN READ YOUR ENTRY !!!!!!!!!

Other Links
USAF Locator--If you are looking for ex personnel, links to AF sites, click here

AFC4A--Air Force Command, Control, communications, and computers Association
Rohna--The Rohna Survivors Memorial Association-"The story of some of our AACS Family"

Air Force Communications Agency--Current News

AF Hall of Fame    
1st MOB-1st Mobile Comm Sq Homepage
2nd MOB-2nd Mobile Comm Sq.
5th MOB-5th Mobile Comm Sq

AF CYBER COMMAND

Links to Other Military Associations-Courtesy of wiredawg.net
TUSLOG Det 150
Info on all AF Bases
1882nd Comm Sq-Phan Rang RVN
AF Caribbean Mapping
AACS C-47 Transport Plane
Live ATC

South Ruislp

Comm Troop

www.retirees.af.mil


Berlin Airlift GCA , please be patient, it may take a few seconds to load and requires a movie viewer, such as Windows Media Player in order to play the movie

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USAF Together We Served

 

Questions, comments, suggestions should be directed to Hank Sauer, DirAACS@comcast.net

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PURPOSE OF THE AACS WEB SITE, is to provide past and current Air Force Communicators, Air Traffic Controllers, Maintenance, Information/Cyber and other support skills with information to learn about the Alumni Association and who and what we are.   It also provides other useful information for our members concerning our annual conventions and other important news and announcements about the Association. Approximately 65% of our members have Internet access.

WHO TO CONTACT FOR AACS ALUMNI INFORMATION

Walt McLain:   For Information about the Association, conventions, membership and reporting members and spouses for the"Missed Roll Call" Listing..  aacsmbrship@comcast.net or call TOLL FREE 1-866-299-1045

Ray Sharpless: For Information about Donations, PX/BX Orders and Alumni Financial status. rayshrplss@kc.rr.com

Hank Sauer:  For Information about the WEB Site and "The AACS Communicator",  DirAACS@comcast.net                                                                                                        

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HOME PAGE WAS LAST UPDATED: 

March 7, 2008:  See the Link TOP LEFT FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2008 AACS CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN BRANSON, MISSOURI, SEPT 24-28, 2008 AT THE SETTLE INN (Name could change in 2008 to the Stone Castle Hotel) or click here:       2008 Convention - Branson Missouri 

April 3, 2008:  Two AACS Alumni Members have been promoted. Brig General Mike Basla to Major General and Colonel Earl Matthews to Brig. General.   Congrats to them both. 

April 25, 2008:  In 2004 the Association published a book that contained the history of AF Communications and Air Traffic Control, our Alumni Association and stories/pictures from our members of their days in AACS and/or AFCS and AFCC.  It also had bio's of those who purchased the book.  It was professionally done and is now on sale as they are removing all excess books from their warehouse. 

Standard binding:  Was $48.50, Now: $20.00 (Plus Shipping)
Leather Binding:  was $78.50, Now
$39.25 (Plus Shipping)

Email: SVOS@TURNERPUBLISHING.COM

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INDEX of Home Page Information

**Features**

**Convention News**

**Honors/Awards**

**Active Duty News & Leadership Changes **

**Membership Roster** if a member Click here

**Alphabetic Listings of Locations/Comm Units**CLICK HERE

**Missed Roll Call**

**How to Join**

**General Information/News**

**Alumni History/Information**

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FEATURES

See "Berlin Airlift GCA" under "other Links" below on the left hand side of this page.  See the GCA Approach to Templehof almost 60 years ago. or click here:   Berlin Airlift GCA , Please be patient, it may take a few seconds to load and requires a movie viewer, such as Windows Media Player in order to play the movie

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             See a Great old Air Force Tribute to the "Boy's in Blue"                  Click here    USANewSongSalutesAFBlueL.wmv

Please be patient, it may take a few seconds to load and requires a movie viewer such as Windows Media Player in order to play the movie.   The movie is old, but worth watching.

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AF Communications Command - Reins of Command Song

Side one       Side two

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Attention AF retirees: You can now go to www.retirees.af.mil and get all kinds of news and also subscribe to the electronic version of the "Afterburner"

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Proposed Name Change:

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL MEMBERS.  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE PROPOSING A NEW NAME FOR THE ASSOCIATION.   IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE FOR THIS CHANGE AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO REMAINING A VIABLE ORGANIZATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ONLY THING THAT WILL CHANGE IS THE NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THE WEB SITE ADDRESS.  OUR HISTORY STAYS IN TACK. Members attending the 2008 Convention in Branson, MO and absentee voters will vote on the changes to our Constitution and By-Laws.

NOTE:  After reading the " Name Change Rationale" file, if you want to email the Executive Director at the email listed at the bottom of the file, and if you left click and it does not open your email screen, RIGHT CLICK ON THE EMAIL ADDRESS AND THEN CHOSE "OPEN HYPER-LINK" TO OPEN YOUR EMAIL MESSAGE SCREEN.

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CONVENTION NEWS

The Convention Committee ANNOUNCED BRANSON, MISSOURI AS THE SITE FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL CONVENTION, SEPT 24-28, 2008 AT THE SETTLE INN.  Please note that the Settle Inn may change their name in 2008 to the "STONE CASTLE HOTEL".  The phone numbers will remain the same if the name changes.  Information and forms for this convention are now posted on the Convention Link. Click here for the Convention - Branson Missouri 

The Convention Committe ANNOUNCED GRAND ISLAND, NY (near Niagara Falls) AS THE SITE FOR THE 2009 ANNUAL CONVENTION, September 23-27, 2009 at the Holiday Inn. A snap shot of Grand Island,NY

The AACS Board of Directors have approved these two     sites and official contracts are in place.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE HOTELS AND LOCATIONS OF PAST AND PLANNED CONVENTIONS CLICK HERE

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The Ramey AFB Historical Association announces their 2008 reunion will be in Tucson, Arizona, April 15-19, 2008.  Contact Ken Coombs at 603-735-4291, ken-bon@msn.com or write to 412A Depot St, Andover NH 03216.

******************************************************************************* The 30th Comm Sq (SAC) is tentatively planning a "reunion" on 9-11 October 2008, in Miami, Florida.  For details contact John LaHiff, at Badge42@aol.com. John is also an AACS Member and his HAM Call Sign is WA6PHJ.

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HONORS/AWARDS

The following individals have been selected for induction into the Air Force Communications/Information Hall of Fame, Class of 2008.  All three of these outstanding leaders were inducted into the Hall of Fame at Andrews AFB, MD on April 30, 2008.

Maj General Alvin L. Pachynski (deceased)

Maj General Van C. Doubleday (AACS Life Member)

CMSgt Walter D. McLain (AACS Life Member)

Click here AF Hall of Fame   to see the Founders listing and all those inducted from 1999 to date. To see an individual's career summary, click on the year of induction.

Since the Hall of fame was created in 1999, 20 of the 32 Inductees have been or are Association Members.  Some incumbents passed away before 1977 when the Association was formed.

Association members wishing to nominate other members for this high honor (AF Comm/Info Hall of Fame) should click on the Hall of Fame Policy link on the left hand side of this home page.  The criteria for selection is Air Force Policy.  The AACS Alumni Association policy is how we review and approve any nominations to forward to the Air Force. This is an Air Force Program that we have been invited to participate in.  The Association can nominate no more than one person each year.  See the inside front cover of the  Communicator for the name and addresss of the Hall of Fame Committee chairman.

ALSO SEE THE POLICIES FOR NOMINATING MEMBERS FOR THE AACS HALL OF HONOR AND FOR THE AACS LIFE ACHIVEMENT AWARD.  "IF YOU DON'T DO IT !!  IT WON'T HAPPEN !!

The Board of Directors do not have the authoriy to approve any award that is NOT submitted by a member.

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The AACS Alumni Association 2009 Nominee for the Air Force Communications/Information Hall of Fame is Maj General Gerald Prather (USAF-Ret).  In addition to General Prather, we have several AACS Alumni Association nominees that remain on the Candidates list but not yet selected. The remaining AACS nominees still on the list are: MSgt Joseph Duffy (USAF--Ret) and Col Garland Hilton (USAF-Ret).  There are two other AACS Members that are on the list, they were nominated thru other USAF channels; Maj  General John T. Stihl (USAF-Ret) and Mr. Robert Feik (Deceased).  The 2008 Air Force "Spring Update" and the Air Force Communications/Information Hall of Fame Banquet (Inductions for the Class of 2008) is scheduled for April 29-30, 2008 at Andrews AFB, MD.

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ACTIVE DUTY HONORS PROGRAM

The AACS Alumni Association Board of Directors have instituted an honors program for our young active duty air traffic controllers and our communications/information professionals.  The Air Force Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA) and the Air Force Communications Agency (AFCA), will select from the major air commands and joint commands, an outstanding airman from the grades of E-1 thru E-5, to be honored by the Alumni Association.  The two selected airman will be presented with a trophy (an engraved Eagle), a $100 check and we make them AACS Alumni Life Members.  Presentations are normally at our annual banquet each year.  This program is keeping with our mission statement and core values to honor those outstanding young airman serving in today's Air Force.

The  2007 Air Traffic Controller of the Year:  SrA Sarah O'Brien, assigned to the 3 OSS, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

The 2007 Communications/Information Professional of the Year: SSgt Jaclyn Rutan, assigned to the 3 CS, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Sgt Rutan is on her 2nd deployment to Iraq and was not be back for the Las Vegas Banquet.  Her Mom and Sister accepted the award.

The 2006 Air Traffic Controller of the Year:  SrA Joshua A. Matias, (Air Mobility Command)

The 2006 Communications/Information Professional of the Year: SSgt Jacob Flores (Air Material Command)

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ACTIVE DUTY NEWS & LEADERSHIP CHANGES

Some active duty info/changes of senior leadership:

General William "Tom" Hobbins, CINCUSAFE, Life Member, retired on 1 February 2008. 

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Gen John Craddock, Commander of the US European Command and Gen Michael Mosley, AF Chief of Staff, Honoring General & Mrs.Hobbins during retirement ceremonies in Germany.

On November 19, 2007, the Enlisted Corps of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe inducted General Hobbins, into "The ORDER OF THE SWORD", the highest honor enlisted Airmen can bestow on an individual. This was an honor well earned. Over 950 people attended the ceremony.

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Maj General John Maluda   (SAF/XCI), an AACS Life Member presenting CMSgt Chuck Teston (USAF-Ret) the AACS Hall of Honor Eagle.  Chief Teston was inducted into the Air Force Communication/Information Hall of Fame, Class of 2007 and was not able to attend our 2007 Convention to accept the AACS Hall of Honor award.  The award was presented at a Air Force Scope Eagle session at Keesler AFB, MS.

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MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

YOU MUST  BE A MEMBER TO ACCESS OUR MEMBERSHIP ROSTER. THE ROSTER WAS UPDATED ON April 16, 2008 Some Computers can read The Roster in the PDF format or it can be downloaded to your computer.   If you can view the roster, use View to enlarge the text to 100% - 150% to read the listings better.   If you do NOT have Adobe Reader loaded on your computer, there is a FREE link to download Adobe Reader from our download page.    The Roster will usually be updated quarterly.  Click here to go to the roster selection page.   YOU NEED A USER NAME AND PASSWORD TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE ROSTER  (See a copy of a past AACS Newsletter or a copy of the new AACS Communicator for the correct user name and password).   If you have any problems contact Hank Sauer at DirAACS@comcast.net.  We have been informed that WebTV users can now access the site and download the roster.

IMPORTANT:  Some members have trouble getting past a menu screen asking for a authorization and will not accept the user name or password. One of the methods that works is:  check your internet tools-options-security-trusted sties list and see if our AACS URL is listed, if not, add it and then try accessing the membership roster.  It also helps to shut down your computer, including your cable or hi speed modem for a few minutes, then try again.
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Membership Report
(as of: April 24, 2008)

Current Active Members: 2158

Dues renewals since 1 Nov 07 - 330

New Members since 1 Nov 07 - 98

Members dues expired Dec 2007 - 199 (removed from active status)

NOTE:  199 members removed from active status have been removed from the AACS Communicator Mailing list beginning with the June 2008 issue. 

Members with just 08 in front of your first name on the June 2008 Communicator address label, your dues will expire on Dec 31, 2008. New members and renewing members will have dates like 0310 in front of their first name, which in this case indicates that dues expire on March 31, 2010.  We have changed the system to help prevent all dues expiring on December 31 of each year. It also insures a full year of credit for each $10 paid for each new/renewing member. 

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ALPHABETIC LISTINGS OF LOCATIONS/COMM UNITS

Updated February 26, 2008

Alphabetic listings of  LOCATIONS where Communication Unit designators were assigned has been posted.  Members are requested to review this listing and submit to Hank Sauer at DirAACS@comcast.net any additions or changesThis is an imperfect listing and your HELP is solicited.  As an example, many Vietnam and Thailand locations and units (Groups, Squadrons, Detachment and/or Operating Locations) are missing.  Locations are listed under categories: Africa, Alaska, Canada, Caribbean, CBI, Europe, Mexico, No. Atlantic, Pacific, So. America, UK and US. Many of the locations MAYBE listed in the wrong category. It was very hard to tell  what country or area a lot of the WWII locations were in.  Your HELP is again needed to make this an accurate listing.  "CLICK HERE"   for accessing the microsoft word listing.  IF YOU RECEIVE A MENU SCREEN ASKING FOR A USER NAME AND PASSWORD, CLICK ON CANCEL.

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MISSED ROLL CALL

The following members/spouses have Missed Roll Call since the November 2007 AACS Communicator.

Notify Walt McLain at aacsmbrship@comcast.net of those who have missed roll call.

NOTE: THE NOVEMBER 2007 AACS COMMUNICATOR LISTS STANLEIGH TURNER AS MISSING ROLL CALL. HAPPY TO SAY, HE IS STILL WITH US.

Allen, Mrs Raymond "Edna"
Anderson, Roland E.
Beatty, Gale
Berry, Carl W.
Blaase, Mrs Robert W. "Donna"
Brummitt, George D.
Bush, Mrs Robert, "Aleene"
Carlson, "Ted" (Charter Member of the AACS Alumni)
Courter, Mrs.Norman, "Charlotte"
Dillman, James P.
Eccleston, John B.
Ernst, Emil
Evans, Ed
Fitzgerald, Ed
Gaumer, Ray
George, Robert                               
Glettler, Barney (long time Treasurer)
Grundy, Francis C.
Hanson, Calmer
Harding, Warren W.

 

 

Horvath, James
Jeffers, William, J.
Kisliuk, Edward                                
Lamb, Gerald H.
Lyle, Donald W.
McAuley, Mrs Kenneth, "AnnieJo"
Payne, Mrs. Billy "Pat"
Reece, John B.
Renaldo, Mrs. Peter, Elizabeth "Liz"
Rhoades, Jackie L.
Sansone, Mrs Rocco, "Cordelia"
Shelton, Charles W.
Sprouse, William R.
Solov, Harry
VanDyne, Jim
Wheeler, Edward D.
Whetstone, Martin
Wilkinson, Thomas K.
Winters, Mrs. Ralph "Jean"

 

HOW TO JOIN

If you hold or held an Air Force Specialty code as a communicator, information (networks, programmer, systems, visual, multimedia, combat camera, etc), cyber, air traffic controller or assigned to a communications and/or air traffic control unit in any skill (commander, administrative, crypto, teletype, radio, radar, nav-aids electronic maintenance, etc), you are eligible to become a member of this great Association.  We would love to hear from you.  You can click on MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION on the upper left hand side of this home page for an application, either to download or to join On-Line. Membership dues are currently $10 per-year, payable in two year increments.   Dues are planned to remain stable for the next few years.  If you need more information, you can contact Walt McLain, our Director for Membership at  aacsmbrship@comcast.net or if you want to talk to Walt, call 1-866-299-1045 Toll Free

The AACS Alumni Association publishes two issues of its official Publication, the "AACS Communicator" a year, one in June (which includes convention information, forms, etc) and one in November (with photos of the convention). "The AACS Communicators" contain Association reports, news and lots of personal stories and photos from our members.   Other than the PX/BX items we sell at cost plus shipping, we do not advertise, barter for discounts or endorse any products. The "AACS Communicator's" have become the "glue" that holds our Association together. Each issue runs around  72 pages, with 24 pages in color.  When you join, and our Director for Membership receives your dues payment, we will mail you a copy of the Membership Roster and a copy of the latest AACS Communicator.  More often than not, you will receive two copies of the AACS Communicator if we still have copies on hand from the previous issue. REMEMBER ONCE YOU JOIN ------"YOU ARE THE AACS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION"

                                                    "TYPICAL COVERS"

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GENERAL INFORMATION/NEWS

NOTICE:  IMPORTANT: When using the "CLICK ON" to go to an INTERNAL web site page from this Home page, you may receive a menu screen asking for a "User Name and/or Password"... if so, just click on CANCEL.......(Except for the membership roster, where you do need a user name and a password.  See our old newsletters or the new AACS Communicator for the current user name and password). 

John Watson, Chair of the BOD Nominating Committee has a new email address:  jdcfwat@comcast.net.  Nominations for the Board should be sent to John.

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:  We want your stories and photo's FOR THE AACS COMMUNICATORS. Try to keep stories to one page. Send to Hank Sauer, at 111 Carson Lane, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7626 or email stories with JPEG attachments to DirAACS@comcast.net  Submit early as first in first published is the process due to the many stories and photos we receive. INPUTS FOR THE JUNE 2008 AACS COMMUNICATOR ARE CLOSED.  WE HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH STORIES AND PHOTOS TO FILL THE 72 PAGE LIMIT.  THOSE STORIES AND PHOTOS NOT INCLUDED IN JUNE WILL BE IN THE NOVEMBER 2008 ISSUE. 

View The AACS Online Scrapbook to see pictures from past events and activities. The scrapbook also contains information on how to submit pictures for display.

From the Air Force Communications Community Archives you can view the outstanding leadership that we have had over the years for AACS, AFCS, AFCC, AFC4A, AFCA & AFFSA.  Visit the Leadership List page now!

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HISTORY/INFO

The AACS Alumni Association was formed on September 30, 1977.   Larry and Doris Camp were visiting Dux and Pearl LeDoux in Eunice, LA in the fall of 1976 when the subject of old WWII friends came up. Larry and Dux were assigned to the 5th AACS Wing in Europe . What began as an invite to a "Poker Weekend" in Columbus, Ohio, (Larry and Dux were part of a London, England  Poker group for AACS Det Commanders) to be hosted by Larry and Doris Camp, resulted in what turned out to be the "first AACS Annual Reunion".    The Camp’s and the LeDoux’s contacted as many old friends as they could, who in turn contacted others, who in turn made more contacts. A large number of ex "AACS Troops" and their spouses made their way to Columbus and the result was the formation of what is now one of the strongest Air Force Alumni Associations going. The name "AACS Alumni Association" was adopted as the official title and was of course derived from the Army Airways Communications System (AACS) and the Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) organizational titles. Individuals who were part of the first "Convention/Reunion" had been assigned to AACS units before, during and after WWII, the Korean War and up to 1961 when AACS became a Major Air Command and was renamed the "Air Force Communications Service (AFCS). Over the years, because the missions were basically the same, the AACS Alumni Association, expanded membership to include AFCS, AFCC, AFC4A, AFCA, AFFSA, other Major Commands up to and including today's Air Force Organizational structure.  Over the years, the Association was incorported in the state of Michigan and obtained 501 (c) (19) IRS approved status.  There is an annual convention held in different cities each year.  Our conventions usually begin on the last Thursday of September (taking into consideration the Jewish High Holidays) and end on the following Sunday after a Get-Away-Breakfast and short briefing on the next years convention.  We do not advertise, barter for discounts or endorse any products.  We manage the Association on membership dues and member donations.   

What "AACS" stands for: In 1938 the Army Airways Communications System (AACS) was formed.  During WWII, for a short time it was renamed as the Army Airways Communications Wing and then the Air Communications Service, but that only lasted 9 months, when the clamor reached the halls of the Pentagon to retain the AACS designation and it was renamed as the Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) in 1946. This new designation was also a better fit due to the high volume of airplanes now flying thru US and US controlled airspace and the need to control "airways".  In 1961 AACS was elevated to Major Air Command status and it was renamed the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS).  This designation remained until 1979 when it was again renamed as the Air Force Communications Command (AFCC). AACS basically stands for both the Army Airways Communications System and the Airways and Air Communications Service.  The old blue original AACS Logo is our official Association logo. 

The Mission of the AACS Alumni Association is to foster continued awareness of the Air Force Communications & Air Traffic Control missions previously accomplished by AACS, ACS, AFCS, AFCC, AFC4A, AFCA, AFFSA , other Major Air Commands and todays Air Force organizational structure.  To provide a forum for educational and humanitarian services, to renew & make new friendships and to exchange ideas of common interest concerning people and activities associated with Communications and Air Traffic Control. To fully support the goals and missions of the United States Air Force and to honor each year at our annual banquet, the Air Traffic Controller of the Year and the Communications/Information Professional of the year (selected by the Air Force in grades of E-1 - E-5). Of significant importance is to ensure that a viable Alumni Association is in place for those serving today.

The AACS Alumni Association is an IRS approved 501 (c) (19) Tax-Exempt Organization. We DO NOT sell insurance or barter for discounts.   The PX/BX items (hats, shirts, jackets, patches, etc) we stock are sold to members at cost plus shipping and our volunteer host manages the annual convention on a "break even" basis. Our Dues are minimal, currently $10 per-year, payable in two year increments.  The membership dues are planned to remain as is for at least the next 4 to 5 years.    

From the Air Force Communications Community Archives you can view the outstanding leadership that we have had over the years for AACS, AFCS, AFCC, AFC4A, AFCA & AFFSA.  Visit the Leadership List page now!

HOW WE BEGAN
The AACS Alumni Association was formed on September 30, 1977.   Larry and Doris Camp were visiting Dux and Pearl LeDoux in Eunice, LA in the fall of 1976 when the subject of old WWII friends came up. Larry and Dux were assigned to the 5th AACS Wing in Europe . What began as an invite to a "Poker Weekend" in Columbus, Ohio, (Larry and Dux were part of a London, England  Poker group for AACS Det Commanders) to be hosted by Larry and Doris Camp, resulted in what turned out to be the "first AACS Annual Reunion".  The Camp’s and the LeDoux’s contacted as many old friends as they could, who in turn contacted others, who in turn made more contacts. A large number of ex "AACS Troops" and their spouses made their way to Columbus and the result was the formation of what is now one of the strongest Air Force Alumni Associations going. The name "AACS Alumni Association" was adopted as the official title and was of course derived from the Army Airways Communications System (AACS) and the Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) organizational titles. Individuals who were part of the first "Reunion" had been assigned to AACS units before, during and after WWII, the Korean War and up to 1961 when AACS became a Major Air Command and was renamed the "Air Force Communications Service (AFCS).

Eligibility to be a member was for an individual to have served in any capacity in an AACS or ACS organization. In 1995 and again in 2002, eligibility was expanded to include any service as a communicator, air traffic controller, maintenance or other support skills in the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS), Air Force Communications Command (AFCC), Air Force Command, Control, Communications & Computer Agency (AFC4A), Air Force Communications Agency (AFCA), the Air Force Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA) and any Major Air Command, past or current. 

In addition to the Camp’s and LeDoux’s, some other notables who were key players in the formation of the Alumni Association were: Eugene "Flash" Gordon, Haskell "Hack" Neal, Ken Klise, Paul Haas, Dick Dickerson, John Hoff, Glenn Turner, Don Donnell,Ted Carlson and George Yunker. This group, along with many others not mentioned here, set the standards that are sill in place today. Each member wishes to thank each and every individual who took part in the early days of our Alumni Association and helped to make it what it is today.

The first Board of Directors were:

Executive Director: Haskell "Hack" Neal

Executive Secretary: Mary Louise Gordon

Treasurer: Paul Haas

Publicity: Jean Winbigler

Newsletter Editor: Ted Carlson

Ham Radio Coordinator: George Walborn

Nominating Chairman: Larry Camp

In addition to the first Board of Directors, Regional Representatives were also created to coordinate and recruit ex-AACS members in the different parts of the country (Regional Representative positions have been eliminated):

Initial Regional Representatives:

Ken Klise and Glen Turner (Northwest)

John Hoff (Rocky Mountains)

Gene and M.L. Gordon (So. California)

John Stevenson (Southwest)

Larry Camp (Midwest)

Dick Dickerson (Greater Washington D.C. area)

Max Mankofsky (New York

Over the years, the composition of the Board has changed and the following individuals have served on the Board of Directors:   Current Incumbents are listed in RED

Executive Directors:

1977-1978  Haskell "Hack" Neal

1979-1980  Bob "Dick" Dickerson

1981-1982  Joe Beler

1983-1984  Don Donnell

1985-1986  Wally Bailey

1987-1991  Bob Brewer

1992-1993  Cal Venable

1994-1997  Jasper Vaughn

1998-2001  Richard "Hank" Sauer

2002 - 2005  Dick Frye

2006 - 2007  Richard "Hank" Sauer

       2008 -      Stan Phillips

Vice Directors:   Randy Randall, Bob Leske, Maurice Schuman, Gil Kania, Stan Phillips & Bill Bethea

Treasurer:   Paul Haas, Bob Brewer, Barney Glettler and  Ray Sharpless

Executive Secretary:   Jean Beler, E.O. Wogstad, B. Clair Lofchie, Ed Evans, Mary Lou Fitzpatrick and Bob Akard

Publicity:   Maxine Porter, Nancy Donnell, Shorty Bailey, Vietta "Offie" Dowd, Chester Hankins, Ed Hooker, Wilbur McCracken, Rich Kao and Dan Morabito (no longer a position)

Newsletter Editor:   Betty Doyle, Wally Bailey, Vietta "Offie" Dowd, "Smitty" McClellan, Mary Venable, Dewey McClellan, Ted Carlson and Hank Sauer

Communicator Editor/Publisher: Ted Carlson and Hank Sauer        NOTE: Editor/Publisher is  now one Position.

Historian: E.O. Wogstad, Dewey McClellan, Hank Sauer, and Gene Sheridan

Ham Coordinator:   George Walborn, Dewey McClellan, Ed Evans and George Reeves

Membership (was initially performed as an extra duty in the Executive Secretary position):

Ted Carlson, C.B. "Mac" Maginnis and Walt McLain

Air Force Liason: Gerald Prather (no longer a position)

Sgt-At-Arms: Hank Sauer, Bob Rimmer, Bill Bethea, & Gerald Prather

Judge Advocate:   John Milano

Chaplain:  P. C. Brown, Jim Burch

Director at Large (no longer a Board position): Vic Doyle (deceased)

NOTE:  The AACS Web Site Manager is Hank Sauer.  This is not a Board of Director's Position.  It is a appointed position by the Executive Director

For more information about the Association, please Click on More AACS Association Info

 

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