The Annual USAF Aircrew Life Support/Aircrew Flight Equipment Reunion

For the second time in two years, some AFE members and attendees of this year’s reunion will link up during a segment of the reunion.  We have been invited to join AFE Superintendents in Tempe, AZ, for their workshop. The reunion is scheduled for August 11-14, 2025. Monday, August 11, and Friday, August 15, are designated as travel days. Retirees and veterans interested in attending the reunion will be billeted at the Hyatt Place Tempe/Phoenix/University Hotel, located at 601 East 6th Street, Tempe, Arizona. The AFE members will be at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, less than a mile away, within walking distance, or a golf cart taxi ride away.

HOTEL REGISTRATION: The single or double occupancy hotel rate is $110 per day and includes a hot breakfast buffet. Self-parking costs $16.00 per day with in/out privileges, but I recommend not renting a vehicle since we will have vans available to transport us to reunion events. Additionally, please note that if you are flying to the reunion, don’t forget that you must have a Real ID, your military ID, or your flight will be delayed.  Additionally, remember that the Sky Harbor International Airport is just 10 minutes away by Uber or Lyft. Check-in at the hotel starts at 4 pm, and check-out must be completed by noon. Reservations should be made by July 20, 2025. Cancellation policy: 11:59 pm Hotel Time, 1 day before arrival, or pay a fee equivalent to one night’s stay. A credit card is required. Please call 888-591-1234 to cancel. Please refer to the registration form for complete hotel registration details.

REUNION REGISTRATION: Please complete the registration form below and mail it to the address indicated, along with a check or money order payable to Bob McElwain, by July 15, 2025. An alternative method of payment for the registration fee is via Cash App. To do so, mail or email your completed registration form to me and pay your registration fees via Cash App. To use Cash App, you’ll need to download it on your iOS or Android device and then link it to a debit card.  Allow it to access your bank account and then enter the amount you’re sending. Select me from your contact list. If I’m not in your contact list, add bob.mcelwain@charter.net. Once you have confirmed the transaction, authorize the app to debit the funds from your account and transfer them to me. The service is entirely free. To cancel your reservation and avoid losing your banquet fee, please contact Bob McElwain by August 1, 2025, via email or at 760-684-3790.

A special rate is available for residents of the Tempe, AZ area who would like to attend the reunion for just one day. For example,

  • If they would like to attend our Tuesday morning event on 12 August 25, the cost is $45
  • If they would like to attend our Wednesday, 13 August 25, activities, the cost is $45
  • If they would like to attend our banquet on Thursday, 14 August 25, the cost is $55.

If you are interested, please complete the registration form and send it to me as instructed.

2025 Registration Form

 

HELP US IF YOU CAN: If you or your company is interested in supporting this year’s reunion, please send a check or money order made out to Bob McElwain and mail it to the address below. The amount you choose to send is entirely up to you. You can also send your donation via Cash App or PayPal.  In appreciation of your generosity, we also invite you to attend the joint AFE workshop and reunion, where you can present your company’s product lines to all attendees. A poster board will be proudly displayed at the hotel entrance and hospitality suite, recognizing both corporate and individual generosity.  Available briefing time slots will be provided for our business day meeting; please look out for them. The reunion is open to anyone involved in the Aircrew Protection business.

The 2025 Reunion planning committee extends its gratitude in advance for your thoughtful support and generosity.  Please consider providing a donation and joining us later this summer in Tempe for the 28th Annual AFE Reunion.  Finally, feel free to share this request with other industry partners you believe would be interested in assisting, supporting, and attending.

All donations must be made out and addressed to me as indicated below. Thank you in advance for any amount you may send.

Send donations to:

Bob McElwain / 12320 Roadrunner Ln /Victorville, CA 92392

Donations Via Go Fund Me

Please consider donating via a GoFundMe fundraiser – no contribution is too small to help.
Sharing with your network also helps reach more potential donors.

Here is the link to the fundraiser: https://gofund.me/d6f3058f 

Notice to Bidders for Our Reunions

Click the above link to learn more about our reunion.  If you are interested in hosting our reunion in 2026, please download the worksheet below, complete it, and ensure that you have listed the years 2026 and 2027 on your proposals for the reunions.  Email the worksheet to bob.mcelwain@charter.net NLT 31 August 2025.  All proposals will be presented to attendees of the September 2025 reunion for selection of our 2026 reunion location.  The selected locations will be announced shortly after our 2025 reunion.

 

Worksheet-For-A-Future-Reunion

 

Past Reunions