Page 4 - Nov2023

Report
Passing the torch…
First, let me express my deepest gratitude to
our Board of Directors for selecting me for a
new position as AFCATCA Chairman Emeritus
and for voting Chad Raduege, Brig Gen (Ret),
as our new Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer.
I am privileged and honored to be a 30+ year
member of AFCATCA and am pleased that the
Board has asked Chad to lead AFCATCA into
our next 47 years of service, support and
camaraderie for our 912-member Association.
Before our newly elected Chairman and CEO
offers a few words, let me post some last
thoughts for my final report.
The 2023 annual AFCATCA Convention was
moved from our normal time frame of
September to the month of April this year. This
timing marked a very special historic setting at
Scott AFB, in part to celebrate the 80 th
anniversary of establishing the Army Airways
Communications System Wing in 1943 — a
foundational part of our heritage!
As you will see in the pages to follow, it was a thank all of our AFCATCA members and
very special time of gathering with all our
communities’ related organizations: the Air
Force Cyberspace Capabilities Center (our Host),
Air Force Flight Standards Agency, Air Force
Cyberspace and Communications Heritage
Center (AFCCHC), and the Air Force C4
Agency. Also part of this “Super Convention”
was the AFC4A “Spring Update” and Hall of
Fame inductions, and tours of the AFCCHC
where artifacts and key personalities of our
heritage are preserved and proudly displayed.
4 November 2023 Communicator
Harry Raduege
Additionally, our annual AFCATCA awards were
presented to active-duty enlisted members
selected for the awards of Air Force Cyberspace
Operations Senior NCO and NCO Professionals
of the Year, Air Traffic Control Enlisted Manager
of the Year, ATC Controller of the Year, and our
AFCATCA Hall of Honor recipient and
induction. Ken and Linda Reiff, with strong
assistance from Jay Adsit and Leslie
McCormick, performed host responsibilities for
this amazing AFCATCA annual convention.
Additionally, at our Saturday evening banquet,
we were all treated to an incredible 80 th
Anniversary presentation by Lt Gen (ret) John
Fairfield, who served in our highest Air Force
positions including last commander of AFCC,
Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for C4, and DCS
for Communications and Information (known
today as the A6). General Fairfield was also the
final recipient of AFCC’s Order of the Sword, an
honor bestowed by the enlisted members.
For my last paragraph, I want to sincerely
especially our Board of Directors for all that they
contribute to our amazing Association. I would
need lots more space to properly recognize each
individual, but I will let you read their reports
that follow and marvel at the amazing results of
their efforts — all as volunteers in dedicating
their time, resources, and love for this
Association and our membership.
Thank you everyone for your magnificent
dedication and support! Continue to Aim High!
HARRY D. RADUEGE, JR.
Chairman, Emeritus