How it began ...
Formerly called the AACS Alumni Association (1977 to 2008), AACS stood for both the Army Airways Communications System and the Airways and Air Communications Service. Over the years, because the missions were basically the same, the AACS Alumni Association expanded membership to include AFCS, Air Force Communications Command (AFCC), Air Force Command, Control, Communications & Computer Agency (AFC4A), Air Force Communications Agency (AFCA), Air Force Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA), and other Major Commands up to and including today's Air Force organizational structure.
TAX STATUS
The Air Force Communicators and Air Traffic Controllers Association is an IRS Code 501(c)(19) organization. In accordance with current IRS tax regulations, donations to the Association are tax deductible when filing a IRS Form 1040.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HISTORY
The AACS Alumni Association was formed on Sept. 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 military friends came up. Larry and Dux were assigned to the 5th Army Airways Communications System Wing in Europe. What began as an invite to a Poker Weekend in Columbus, OH (Larry and Dux were part of a London, England, poker group for AACS detachment commanders) to be hosted by the Camps, turned out to be the first AACS annual reunion.
The couples contacted as many old friends as they could, who in turn contacted others, and so on. A large number of former 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. The name AACS Alumni Association was adopted as the official title and was derived from the Army Airways Communications System and the Airways and Air Communications Service organizational titles.
Individuals who were part of the first reunion had been assigned to AACS units before, during and after World War II, the Korean Conflict, and up to 1961 when AACS became a Major Air Command and was renamed the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS). Over the years, the AACS Alumni Association expanded membership to include AFCS, AFCC, AFC4A, AFCA, AFFSA, and other Major Commands.
The Association was incorporated in the state of Michigan and obtained 501 (c) (19) IRS approved status.
An annual convention is held in different cities each year. Conventions usually begin on the last Thursday of September and end on the following Sunday. The Association operates on membership dues and donations. Association dues are minimal, $15 per year, payable in two-year increments of $30.
ABOUT AACS
In 1938 the Army Airways Communications System (AACS) was formed. During World War II, for a short time it was renamed 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, it was renamed the Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) in 1946. This new designation was also a better fit due to the high volume of airplanes flying through 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 renamed the Air Force Communications Command (AFCC). The old blue original AACS logo is our official Association logo.
LEGACY COMMANDS/AGENCIES (dates created)
15 Nov 1938 -- Army Airways Communications System
13 April 1943 -- Army Airways Communications System Wing
26 April 1944 -- Army Airways Communications System
13 March 1946 -- Air Communications Service
11 Sept 1946 -- Airways and Air Communications Service
1 July 1961 -- Air Force Communications Service
15 Nov 1979 -- Air Force Communications Command
28 May 1993 -- Air Force Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Agency
13 June 1996 -- Air Force Communications Agency
15 July 2009 -- Air Force Network Integration Center
Click here to view list of AACS, AFCS, and AFCC communications units (by location and area), 1938-1993 (and beyond).
The first Board of Directors:
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 created to coordinate and recruit ex-AACS members in different parts of the country (these 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)
TAX STATUS
The Air Force Communicators and Air Traffic Controllers Association is an IRS Code 501(c)(19) organization. In accordance with current IRS tax regulations, donations to the Association are tax deductible when filing a IRS Form 1040.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HISTORY
The AACS Alumni Association was formed on Sept. 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 military friends came up. Larry and Dux were assigned to the 5th Army Airways Communications System Wing in Europe. What began as an invite to a Poker Weekend in Columbus, OH (Larry and Dux were part of a London, England, poker group for AACS detachment commanders) to be hosted by the Camps, turned out to be the first AACS annual reunion.
The couples contacted as many old friends as they could, who in turn contacted others, and so on. A large number of former 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. The name AACS Alumni Association was adopted as the official title and was derived from the Army Airways Communications System and the Airways and Air Communications Service organizational titles.
Individuals who were part of the first reunion had been assigned to AACS units before, during and after World War II, the Korean Conflict, and up to 1961 when AACS became a Major Air Command and was renamed the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS). Over the years, the AACS Alumni Association expanded membership to include AFCS, AFCC, AFC4A, AFCA, AFFSA, and other Major Commands.
The Association was incorporated in the state of Michigan and obtained 501 (c) (19) IRS approved status.
An annual convention is held in different cities each year. Conventions usually begin on the last Thursday of September and end on the following Sunday. The Association operates on membership dues and donations. Association dues are minimal, $15 per year, payable in two-year increments of $30.
ABOUT AACS
In 1938 the Army Airways Communications System (AACS) was formed. During World War II, for a short time it was renamed 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, it was renamed the Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) in 1946. This new designation was also a better fit due to the high volume of airplanes flying through 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 renamed the Air Force Communications Command (AFCC). The old blue original AACS logo is our official Association logo.
LEGACY COMMANDS/AGENCIES (dates created)
15 Nov 1938 -- Army Airways Communications System
13 April 1943 -- Army Airways Communications System Wing
26 April 1944 -- Army Airways Communications System
13 March 1946 -- Air Communications Service
11 Sept 1946 -- Airways and Air Communications Service
1 July 1961 -- Air Force Communications Service
15 Nov 1979 -- Air Force Communications Command
28 May 1993 -- Air Force Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Agency
13 June 1996 -- Air Force Communications Agency
15 July 2009 -- Air Force Network Integration Center
Click here to view list of AACS, AFCS, and AFCC communications units (by location and area), 1938-1993 (and beyond).
The first Board of Directors:
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 created to coordinate and recruit ex-AACS members in different parts of the country (these 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)
Click here to visit AFNIC's heritage web site.
Communications History items of interest.
Past leadership (contd) ...
Over the years, the composition of the Board changed and the following individuals have served:
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 - 2011 Stan Phillips
2011 - Doug Donnell
Vice Directors:
Randy Randall
Bob Leske
Maurice Schuman
Gil Kania
Stan Phillips
Bill Bethea
Doug Donnell
Gerald Sonnenberg
Treasurer:
Paul Haas
Bob Brewer
Barney Glettler
Ray Sharpless
Cindy Allison
Executive Secretary:
Jean Beler
E.O. Wogstad,
Clair Lofchie
Ed Evans
Mary Lou Fitzpatrick
Bob Akard
Publicity: no longer a position
Maxine Porter
Nancy Donnell
Shorty Bailey
Vietta "Offie" Dowd
Chester Hankins
Ed Hooker
Wilbur McCracken
Rich Kao
Dan Morabito
Newsletter Editor:
Betty Doyle
Wally Bailey
Vietta "Offie" Dowd
"Smitty" McClellan
Mary Venable
Dewey McClellan
Ted Carlson
Hank Sauer
Editor/Publisher:
Ted Carlson
Hank Sauer
NOTE: Editor/Publisher is now one position.
Historian:
E.O. Wogstad
Dewey McClellan
Hank Sauer
Gene Sheridan
Ham Coordinator: No longer a board position.
George Walborn
Dewey McClellan
Ed Evans
George Reeves
Membership (was initially performed as an extra duty in the Executive Secretary position):
Ted Carlson
C.B. "Mac" Maginnis
Walt McLain
Director of Information:
David Moore
Bill Mosley
Gerald Prather
Air Force Liaison: No longer a position
Gerald Prather
Sgt-At-Arms:
Hank Sauer
Bob Rimmer
Bill Bethea
Gerald Prather
Bill Bethea
Judge Advocate: John Milano
Chaplain:
P. C. Brown
Jim Burch
Fr. Donald Seeks
Director at Large: No longer a board position
Vic Doyle
Web Site Manager: Not a board of directors position; it is an appointed position by the executive director.
Hank Sauer
Lori Manske
PX/BX Supply Manager:
Ray Sharpless
Bill Cassatt
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 - 2011 Stan Phillips
2011 - Doug Donnell
Vice Directors:
Randy Randall
Bob Leske
Maurice Schuman
Gil Kania
Stan Phillips
Bill Bethea
Doug Donnell
Gerald Sonnenberg
Treasurer:
Paul Haas
Bob Brewer
Barney Glettler
Ray Sharpless
Cindy Allison
Executive Secretary:
Jean Beler
E.O. Wogstad,
Clair Lofchie
Ed Evans
Mary Lou Fitzpatrick
Bob Akard
Publicity: no longer a position
Maxine Porter
Nancy Donnell
Shorty Bailey
Vietta "Offie" Dowd
Chester Hankins
Ed Hooker
Wilbur McCracken
Rich Kao
Dan Morabito
Newsletter Editor:
Betty Doyle
Wally Bailey
Vietta "Offie" Dowd
"Smitty" McClellan
Mary Venable
Dewey McClellan
Ted Carlson
Hank Sauer
Editor/Publisher:
Ted Carlson
Hank Sauer
NOTE: Editor/Publisher is now one position.
Historian:
E.O. Wogstad
Dewey McClellan
Hank Sauer
Gene Sheridan
Ham Coordinator: No longer a board position.
George Walborn
Dewey McClellan
Ed Evans
George Reeves
Membership (was initially performed as an extra duty in the Executive Secretary position):
Ted Carlson
C.B. "Mac" Maginnis
Walt McLain
Director of Information:
David Moore
Bill Mosley
Gerald Prather
Air Force Liaison: No longer a position
Gerald Prather
Sgt-At-Arms:
Hank Sauer
Bob Rimmer
Bill Bethea
Gerald Prather
Bill Bethea
Judge Advocate: John Milano
Chaplain:
P. C. Brown
Jim Burch
Fr. Donald Seeks
Director at Large: No longer a board position
Vic Doyle
Web Site Manager: Not a board of directors position; it is an appointed position by the executive director.
Hank Sauer
Lori Manske
PX/BX Supply Manager:
Ray Sharpless
Bill Cassatt