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Beale hosts inaugural AFCEA luncheon

By Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo, 9th RW Public Affairs / Published August 30, 2012

Col. Phil Stewart, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander, speaks during the inaugural Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association luncheon at the Recce Point Club Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Aug. 28, 2012. AFCEA is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
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Col. Phil Stewart, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander, speaks during the inaugural Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association luncheon at the Recce Point Club Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Aug. 28, 2012. AFCEA is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)

Members of Team Beale dine at the inaugural Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association luncheon at the Recce Point Club Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Aug. 28, 2012. According to AFCEA it has chapters in more than 30 countries with approximately 31,000 members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
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Members of Team Beale dine at the inaugural Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association luncheon at the Recce Point Club Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Aug. 28, 2012. According to AFCEA it has chapters in more than 30 countries with approximately 31,000 members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)

Members of Team Beale network during the inaugural Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association luncheon at the Recce Point Club Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Aug. 28, 2012. Col. Phil Stewart, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander was the guest speaker at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
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Members of Team Beale network during the inaugural Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association luncheon at the Recce Point Club Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Aug. 28, 2012. Col. Phil Stewart, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander was the guest speaker at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)

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BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., -- Team Beale hosted its inaugural Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association luncheon at the Recce Point Club here Aug. 28.

More than 75 communication and electronics specialists from Beale and Travis Air Force Base attended the event.

The luncheon was facilitated to provide a broader scope and understanding of the communications and electronics career fields.

Corporate and industry civilian counterparts were also on hand to emphasize Air Force Total Force Integration.

"I was able to network with Airmen and civilians from Beale who are a part of my career field," said Senior Airman Taylor Neill, 60th CS ground radar technician from Travis. "It was great to see how we all come together to support the mission."

AFCEA was established in 1946 as a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. According to AFCEA it has chapters in more than 30 countries with approximately 31,000 members.

"We've been trying to get an AFCEA chapter to Beale for some time. It's nice to see it come to fruition," said 1st Lt. Mark Morris, 9th Communication Squadron deputy commander of plans and resources flight. "We hope to have an event like this at least once a quarter."

The luncheon featured guest speaker Col. Phil Stewart, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander, who related how communication Airmen play a vital role in today's mission.

Stewart said communications Airmen bridge the gap between ground forces and combat aircraft in Afghanistan.

Stewart added without "Comm-Airmen," the air support war fighters rely on everyday would not be possible.

"Comm-warriors are instrumental in supporting combat systems down range that directly take the fight to the enemy and reduce the number of friendly and coalition causalities," he said. "You're a major part of what Air Power brings to today's fight."