My Fellow Aircrew Life Support, Survival Equipment, and Aircrew Flight Equipment Professionals, this year marks the 70th year of the existence of our profession and is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments that have been made from our beginnings to what we are now. We remain committed to the safety of our crewmembers and passengers through the diligence and professionalism you have shown over our 70 years of existence.

Today, as Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE), our profession continues that tradition. We continue the path of those who came before us and strive to build a better career field while maintaining quality equipment and training for our aviators. We acknowledge that this journey is not finished, yet we remain committed to the work ahead to ensure all can serve to their full potential.

As a new year dawns, we will again gather as a profession on October 9-13, 2023, in Virginia Beach, VA, for our 26th annual reunion being held in conjunction with the annual SAFE Symposium. This is a great opportunity to celebrate our 70th year as a profession, reminisce with old friends, meet some of the people who got us where we are today, and introduce us to the next generation.

Each of you is truly appreciated and valued. I would like to extend a very special thank you to those working to keep our aviators safe and secure throughout the years both at home and abroad. As we celebrate our 70th year as a profession, you remain an indispensable teammate to the past, present, and future providing our country and our Air Force with the airpower needed to defend our Great Nation.

Your Life is Our Business!

Respectfully,
William L. Ricketts, President
USAF Aircrew Life Support/Aircrew Flight Equipment (ALS/AFE)
Veterans and Retirees Group