Programs
Support
Northeast Texas Chapter 416 provides direct funds to support educational programs, robotics, drones, rockets, and other STEM activities. Interested educators should email or provide information on their program and detailed cost information for consideration. We support numerous K-12 educational, Civil Air Patrol, and Community efforts, and are always looking for dedicated local sponsors for selected programs. For further information, email TX416.Northeast.President@afa.org or call 903-274-9981.
Air & Space Forces
The importance of our active, reserve, and national guard members and their families cannot be overstated. Support to Airmen & Guardians is key to long term success of our nation.
Locally, recruiters, ROTC, reservists, national guard, and members of the 645th AESS (Aeronautical Engineering Systems Squadron) located in Greenville, TX, are the most prominent military in our area.
The chapter provides direct support to 645th AESS events, member awards, and families as requests are made. In 2024, the chapter is partnering with the squadron to execute a Golf Tournament to raise funds for squadron events, awards, and support to families, and to support AFA efforts. This event will be held in Rockwall, TX.
Support to our Air Force Auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), is thriving in Northeast Texas. The chapter provides annual funding and direct support for education, cadet events, flight & other training, and awards to three CAP squadrons, and others as deemed appropriate.
Requests for support should be sent to TX416.Northeast.President@afa.org for consideration.
Majors Composite Squadron, Greenville, TX (TX-645) https://tx645.cap.gov/
Lakeshore Composite Squadron, Rockwall, TX (TX-354) https://lakeshore.cap.gov/
Sulphur Springs Composite Squadron, Sulphur Springs, TX (TX-450) https://sulphursprings.cap.gov/
Learn more about CAP in Texas (https://txwg.cap.gov/) and nationally (https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/)
Community
We salute these communities and look forward to working with yours!
Commerce, TX, High School
Robotics. In 2016, teacher Earvin Larry approached AFA for support of the planned Commerce Robotics efforts. Larry, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, was aware of AFA and its mission to support academics. His proposal was accepted and the $5,000 funding springboarded the program to success. Since that time, a dedicated lab has been put into the school named after Lt Col Larry Ratliff, the chapter 416, Vice President for Veteran’s Affairs in 2016. He spearheaded chapter engagement in this effort. The program has expanded to include drones. Results? Students have gone on to the U.S. Air Force Academy, decided to pursue STEM related educational majors, and sought out careers related to these experiences. Teams led by Larry have won in several categories at state, region, and national competitions.
CHS College Scholarship. The Lt Col Larry Ratliff Family provides an annual scholarship for Commerce High School seniors. The $1,200 scholarship is given to a deserving student based on grades, activities, and essay. Chapter 416 is please to administer this scholarship redemption for the family.
Greenville High School
Veteran’s Day Celebration. Chapter is a key supporter of the annual Veteran’s Day event. We provide funding to support the event. Over the years, several of our officers and volunteers have been keynote speakers for the event. This type event is great to recognize veterans, those currently serving, and those who will join.
Robotics. Periodically funds are provided to support robotics team efforts at Greenville. A previous robotics teacher was a chapter ‘teacher of the year.’
Solar Car. The chapter purchased $4,000 batteries to support the outstanding solar car efforts. The purchase has provided numerous years of support to the program. A ‘teacher of the year’ was named from this program also.
Boles High School & Independent School District
The 2022 Teacher of the Year was selected from Boles High School. The STEM activities in the school and their desire to partner with our chapter inspire us.
Lone Oak, TX
Tango Flight. The Lone Oak superintendent identified the idea of ‘building an airplane’ to expose her students to the vast number of aviation related industries in their area. The Tango Flight (https://www.tangoflight.org/) program requires support from the community to fund and provide mentors from industry. Chapter 416 stepped up and was the 1st ‘First Founder’ of the effort.
The chapter has also provided a welding machine for use by students in other endeavors. Identification of needs that can improve our youth and promote positive community interaction and benefits is a key to national strength.
Rockwall, TX
Gene Burton College & Career Academy (GBCCA). Rockwall schools have a robotics/drone team and support CyberPatriot teams for the. The robotics lead has been a chapter ‘teacher of they year’ and the robotics team provides annual support to the chapter Golf Thing event.
Simms, TX
In 2024, a teacher at Simms, TX, Jim Bowie High School, used AFA national grant and Civil Air Patrol (CAP) educational products to fund and carry out a rocket and drone effort associated with stellar education programs in her class. This triggered notification to chapter leadership and efforts are underway to increase support to enhance the educational abilities in the classroom. This exemplifies how AFA national, chapters, and our Air Force Auxiliary, CAP, are tied together to positively impact or youth and communities. We look forward to more in the Simms, TX, area.
Sulphur Springs, TX
The chapter Essay Contest has had numerous entries and scholarship recipients from the high school. In 2023, two teams participated in CyberPatriot and we hope this continues.
Girls Recognizing Own Worth (GROW), at the elementary school for 4th & 5th grades, focuses on providing increased visibility to STEM activities and professional opportunities for women. The chapter provides funding through the Helm Hotel Group courtesy of Charles & Sharon Helm.