Air & Space Forces Association - Tennessee Valley Chapter 335

04/22/2026

The Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Air and Space Forces Association is very proud to sponsor a $2,000 college scholarship each year for one deserving senior cadet from each of the three Air and Space Force Junior ROTC units in this area - Bob Jones, Mae Jemison and Huntsville High Schools. Each year we rank the nominated cadets from those three High School JROTC programs -- selecting a top cadet for an additional $500 bringing that total scholarship award to $2,500. Our organization named this top-cadet-scholarship-award in honor of Major Howard Christiansen, a decorated World War II veteran and life-long member of the Air and Space Forces Association. Although Howard passed away in 2014, his memory lives on by way of this scholarship supported by our chapter of the Air and Space Forces Association and the Christiansen family, represented by Howard’s son Dick living here in Huntsville. This year Huntsville High School Cadet Colonel Carson Mignano was selected to receive the “Howard Christiansen” scholarship award.

04/19/2026

Just after leading assembled chapter members in commemorating, and then toasting, the 1942 Doolittle Raiders, former Chapter President John Pennell Jr. (left) received a plaque in recognition of his 6 years of dedicated leadership of the chapter from current chapter President Rick Driesbach. JP, as he's known, ably led the Tennessee Valley Chapter through the "Covid" years and still remains an active member of the Executive Council of the chapter.

04/03/2026

Tennessee Valley Chapter Member Retired Colonel Daron Drown spoke at the first Chapter luncheon in 2026, held at the Redstone Federal Credit Union on 30 March. Daron spent 22 years in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot and during his distinguished career flew the F-15C and the F-22, but for this luncheon he chose to speak about the history of the F-117 Nighthawk and his personal experiences flying this very unique aircraft. Chapter President Rick Driesbach presented Daron with one of the new chapter coins at the conclusion of his presentation.

02/28/2026

Nathan Metzger, VP and General Manager of Cubic–GATR accepts the 2025/2026 Community Partner Renewal Medallion from the Air and Space Forces' Tennessee Valley Chapter President Colonel (Retired) Rick Driesbach. GATR has been a loyal Community Partner at the ACE-level for 14 years, supporting the Chapter’s Aerospace Education Program!

02/17/2026

Matt Broadhurst, one of the owners of Straight-to-Ale accepts the 2025 / 2026 Community Partner Renewal Medallion from Chapter President Rick Driesbach. The Chapter typically celebrates the remembrance of the 1942 Doolittle Raid on Tokyo each April and the US Air Force's birthday each September at Straight-to-Ale. Additionally, Matt's father, Guy Broadhurst, was Chapter Vice President for many years before moving to Georgia.

02/15/2026

Briana Fannin, Vice President of Finance and Administration for ALETA Technologies accepts the 2025 / 2026 Wingman Renewal Medallion from Air and Space Forces Tennessee Valley Chapter President Rick Driesbach. ALETA has supported the Chapter’s Aerospace Education Program for an amazing 12 years !!

01/11/2026

Lisa Philippart, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with Living Life Counseling Center in Madison, Alabama recently received her 2025 / 2026 Renewal Medallion. She has been a loyal Community Partner supporting the Chapter’s Aerospace Education Program for 10 years!

01/08/2026

Kelley Middlebrooks, Senior Assistant Vice President for Community Relations proudly accepts a 2025/2026 Air and Space Forces Community Partner Renewal Medallion on behalf of the Redstone Federal Credit Union from Tennessee Valley Chapter President Rick Driesbach. The Redstone Federal Credit Union has been a loyal partner with the Tennessee Valley AFA Chapter for the last 16 years !!

Thank you for the continued support the Tennessee Valley AFA Chapter!

12/10/2025

12/10/2025

Chapter President John Pennell recently presented a 2025–2026 ACE-level Community Partner Renewal Medallion and an official thank-you letter to Rob Robertson of R2 Consulting.

Rob, a retired USAF officer, leads his own consulting firm and has been a long-time, active member of the Executive Council for Chapter 335.

We extend our sincere thanks to Rob for his continued support of the Chapter’s Aerospace Education program. Your dedication truly makes a difference! ✈️

11/13/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring a Veteran: Col (Ret) Bob Hovde Receives a Quilt of Valor

We are proud to share that Col (Ret) Bob Hovde, USAF, of the Tennessee Valley Chapter AFA, was recently presented with a prestigious Quilt of Valor (QOV)!

The presentation was made by Kala Grice-Dobbins during a heartfelt ceremony at the Madison County Career Technology Center. The beautiful quilt itself was lovingly created by Ms. Grice-Dobbins' mother, Donna Grice, as part of her dedicated work for the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

What is a Quilt of Valor?

A Quilt of Valor (QOV) is a quality, handmade quilt, either machine or hand quilted, that is formally awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war.

It is a tangible message that says unequivocally, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.”

Note: To be called a Quilt of Valor, the quilt must meet specific size requirements, have a label with required information, be formally awarded (not gifted), and be recorded with the Foundation.

11/11/2025

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