Military Affairs Committee

Staff Liaison: Shirley Wilka, (520) 792-2250 X 132

Chair: Ellen Jimenez, Radisson Suites Tucson

The United States Air Force has a major presence in Tucson and Southern Arizona. So does the 162nd Air National Guard Fighter Wing. Our men and women in service to our country deserve the support of the business community. Military Affairs Committee activities include attendance at important military functions and workshops to help small businesses do more with the $1.5 billion of economic impact the Air Force brings to our community.

Military Affairs Committee Projects

Community and Military Partnership (CAMP)
A program that connects Airmen who are single and under the age of 24 with a family in Tucson.  The goal of the program is to decrease the gap between younger Airmen and decrease the growing PTSD and suicides on base.

Operation Zulu
A program that assists the Tucson business community in raising funds and collecting holiday gifts to send to local deployed Airmen in Afghanistan.

Tucson for the F-35
MAC has joined the coalition board to bring exposure to the project.  MAC has started and is maintaining a Facebook page and speaking on radio shows to bring more exposure.  We encourage the Tucson business community to continue to write letters to our local politicians and letters to the editors of publications about this matter.

Operation Otter Pop
A program that provides monthly hands on visits to local military with donated items such as otter pops, cold water, hot cocoa, baked items, etc. to show gratitude from the Tucson community for their service.  The visits are to DMAFB, Navy, Marines, and 162nd FW, Army units will be included in the future. The goal of the project is to continue to encourage media coverage.

DMAFB Quarterly Awards
A program that sponsors monetary funds to DMAFB for Quarterly award winners.  11 A-10 trophies are purchased by MAC per quarter for the program.

Toys for Tots
MAC supports the Toys for Tops program and coordinates donation points at member businesses and also begins collecting items at monthly luncheons beginning in September of each year to support our Tucson Marines.

Charles T Niblett Wingman of the Year Award
A program that gives out an award to an Airman who shows strong mentorship for other Airmen and in our Tucson community. The award is named after Air Force retired Charlie Niblett who was a member of MAC for 30+ years and prior Chair.

E.D. Jewett Squadron of the Year Award
A program that gives a traveling trophy to the top Squadron who has shown strongly in the following: mission accomplishments, utilization of resources, base support and community support. A plaque is also given to the previous winner.  The award is named after Col (retired Air Force) Jewett who was a past chairman of MAC and Chairman of the Board for the Tucson Metro Chamber.

U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy Annual Awards
An event held annually by MAC to award the top performers of our Tucson units.  A certificate and a letter signed by Tucson Metro Chamber is also given to the award winners.

Airman Leadership School - Levitow Award
The Airman Leadership School trains Air Force Airmen to be future leaders.  A banquet is held every four weeks for the graduates. MAC awards the top graduating student the Levitow Award. 

Boss Lift trip with ESGR
A program that encourages membership and gives a hands on opportunity to see what our Tucson Military is accomplishing.  For example, a trip is planned for Chamber members to view a refueling mission while in the air.

Quarterly Field trips for MAC members
Activities are set up to encourage membership and provide a taste of what our Tucson military is doing.  Activities include:

• Angel Thunder: Rescue exercise that includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, state agencies, federal agencies and various countries hosted by DMAFB
• 355 Security Forces Squadron: Afternoon of meeting the K-9's
• MAC of Yuma: A tour of F35's with the Marine unit in Yuma

Thanksgiving Dorm Bash
An annual event held at DMAFB for Airmen who are not able to go home to their families for the holidays.  Funds are raised to give a Thanksgiving meal to approximately 400 Airmen who are living in base dorms.  

MAC Newsletter
A monthly newsletter that shares the ongoing activities of MAC and encourages active membership.

Poker Tournament
An annual fundraising event held in the fall or spring to raise funds for the Military Affairs Committee’s award and programs for Southern Arizona’s military community.

Annual Silent and Live Auction
An event held each December for our monthly luncheon.  The goal of the auctions is to raise funds for ongoing MAC events and to encourage participation from Military Toastmasters to act as auctioneers.

KOLD News Tucson News Now Blog
MAC's blog for ongoing events. The goal of the blog is to encourage support for our Tucson military.

Right Start
An event welcoming and briefing all newcomers to DMAFB. The goal of the event is to welcome newcomers to Tucson and familiarize them with Chamber businesses who are military supportive.

Workshop on Government Procurement Practices
The economic impact of Davis Monthan Air Force Base and other federal procurement is $2.3 billion per year.  This is a workshop designed to help attendees understand the federal purchasing process, get their company registered as an approved vendor and help get their share of $2.3 billion.

UofA ROTC
A program that sponsors awards to top Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force ROTC. Members of MAC attend the ceremonies to present the award and a photo opportunity.

Pima Community College ACES
A program that provides support  to PCC ACES annual October month of fundraising for the DMAFB Enlisted Fund that goes directly to DMAFB Airmen.

Fundraising for Starry Snowy Night, Annual Awards Dinner, Air Force Ball and other events for military families.