2025 State of the Foundation
To all AFHF members,
It is a tremendous privilege to provide this summary of Foundation accomplishments to our membership for the 2025 calendar year. There are two specific items that are worth highlighting at the top of this report. Both have established milestones that all Foundation members can be extremely proud of.
First, through active and creative efforts, AFHF general membership has swelled from 1,000 members to its more than 5,500 individual members—its highest ever. If you are one of our newest Foundation members—WELCOME! AFHF hopes that you will find our signature programs interesting, valuable, and often beautiful. We welcome these groups to our ranks as Associate members—Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, WW II Glider Pilots Association, 8th AF Historical Society, National Warbird Operators Convention, and USAF Academy Department of History (DFH) Alumni.
Second, on May 22nd the Foundation partnered with Air University Press and republished the airpower classic, A Few Great Captains, by Pete Copp. While originally was published in 1980, the lessons that can be learned from this interwar period tale are as valid today as they were back then. EVERY member of the USAF and USSF should take the time to read this classic account of technology, people, and politics with an eye to current events. This is much more than a reprint of the original work. This imprint includes a new Foreword, Afterword, a completely revised photo essay, and Copp’s research and reference notes (excluded from the original by the publisher).
Get your free digital copy of A Few Great Captains by visiting the AFHF website here:
https://afhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/B_185_Copp_A_Few_Great_Captains-1.pdf
Active duty and retired military can request a printed softbound copy by sending an email to: airuniversitypress@ua.af.edu
This year marked the completion of our first year of The AFHF Official Podcast: Know the Past…Shape the Future, produced by Award winning broadcaster, Matt Jolley. We began with several episodes that focused on the evolution of technology in the USAF and ended with a captivating series of episodes recounting the origins of the US Space Force with those who were participants. Listen to the entire revealing series at this link: https://afhistory.org/podcast/
Additionally, the Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation 2025 Special Summer Edition celebrated the 5th anniversary of the creation of the US Space Force. It includes articles that describe the birth of the Space Force from insider perspectives, legacy USAF Space articles from the 1960s and 70s, and a clever piece describing the birth of the Space Force through artifacts. AFHF has published articles on space operations and technology since the 1950s and the Foundation continues to highlight USAF Space and US Space Force history. Members may access the complete archive of Journals dating to the 1950s. Find the JAFHF here: https://afhistory.org/research/the-journal-of-the-afhf/
This Day in Air and Space History continues as our single best means of communication with our membership and independent subscribers. We have expanded into several different daily formats, contributions by Foundation members, and continue to highlight historical topics that are particularly relevant to current events.
Through 2026, AFHF will continue to provide the morning releases for free to all subscribers. In 2027, only AFHF members will be able to access and receive this daily history drop. If you are currently not an AFHF member, we hope that you will consider joining at a membership level of your choice by visiting the membership link:
https://afhistory.org/support/become-a-member/
The AFHF website remains the gateway to all the Foundation’s projects, programs and publications. https://afhistory.org/
The AFHF “research page” now includes video recordings from the 2023 and 2025 Symposia, links to books written by Foundation members and USAF Academy History Department alumni, Links to AU Archives, Access to critical AF Magazine stories and even the 45 minute USAF film describing the 1995 New World Vistas technology study. The AFHF Newsletter, The Raider Chronicles, now in its second year, it is a terrific source for Foundation news, personal stories, aviation quizzes, and “ask a researcher” opportunities. In 2026, the Raider Chronicles will change to a new LinkedIn format with similar content to the original version. Col. Eileen Bjorkman, USAF (ret), edits this excellent Newsletter. https://afhistory.org/research/
AFHF Symposium and Museums Conference, 21 May 2025. This one-day conference highlighted the US Space Force and celebrated the 5th anniversary of their creation as an independent service. It was held at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly VA. The event was highlighted by a tremendous set of panel presentations by researchers and top Air Force influencers. The panel recordings are available at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKKBQ39u880_wa3hn8uKgqzYm-Zms3yv
Annual Awards Presentation and Banquet, 22 May 2025. This year’s hallmark event took place at the Space Hangar at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Awards were presented to outstanding USAF and USSF units, book and article prize winners, and lifetime achievement for individuals. The Foundation Board President change of command took place, and Robert B. Arnold succeeded Jonna Doolittle Hoppes as she took her well-earned leave from that position. Ms. Doolittle Hoppes was honored by the USAF when she was presented with the prestigious CSAF Award for Exceptional Public Service which is given to those who exhibit “dedication, patriotism and personal sacrifice resulting in significant contributions to the Air Force.” Since 2009, only 29 of these awards have been approved. Ms. Doolittle Hoppes Award is the first since 2019.
The inaugural presentation of the Hub Zemke “Thunderbolt” trophy for the best training unit in the USAF or USSF for the calendar year (2025) was made by our Foundation Chair, MG John Barry, to the 56 FW at Luke AFB. It was a festive affair, and the trophy changed hands on stage during the Wing family event in full country and western dress.
The Foundation Executive Director delivered an artifact-related speech at the National Warbird Operator Conference in February. The highlight of that Dallas-based conference was a patriotic appearance by “Lucky” Luckadoo who was then the last surviving member of the “Bloody Hundredth” Bomb Group. Luckadoo died on 1 September 2025 at the age of 103.
In March, AFHF sponsored the Arnold Air Society top trophy for the year—The Arnold Sabre. Our Foundation was represented by Robert Arnold (Grandson of Gen Hap Arnold and incoming Board President) attended the AAS/SW National Convention to present the Sabre which is sponsored by the Foundation.
While the Arnold Sabre was being presented in Atlanta, AFHF Foundation Chair, MG John Barry, and President Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, travelled to Denver to present the Foundation’s most prestigious prize—The James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle Trophy for unit valor. The 2025 award went to Space Delta 4, the first time that a USSF unit has been so honored.
The inaugural award for Lifetime Achievement in Space recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions in their lifetime to the making of Air Force history in the Space realm and shaping the future of continued development of the U.S. Space Force. USAF astronaut and retired General, “Chili” Chilton, was the recipient.
Visit the Award recipient page to review all winners past and present: https://afhistory.org/awards/
Images from these tremendous events are available at the AFHF flickr link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/air-force-historical-foundation/
We at AFHF are exceptionally proud of our accomplishments in 2025, and there is more on tap for next year. The Board of Directors has approved an updated long-range plan that will challenge the Foundation to reach new heights in scholarship and philanthropy. Stay tuned for the details in the new year.
While AFHF is happily “out over its skis,” creating and sustaining this kind of programing and content takes considerable time and money. Please consider increasing your membership level to support these efforts. Another financial option is a targeted donation where you may select how AFHF will spend your money (Research and Education, Digital Archives, Publishing, Podcast, Awards and Scholarships, Key Programs and Partnerships, and Special Events are all possibilities).
Please watch for the AFHF “Giving Tuesday” drive this November. Every single donation and sponsorship is important, and we appreciate them. All these options are tax deductible.
KNOW THE PAST…SHAPE THE FUTURE
Maj Gen John Barry, USAF(ret) Mr. Robert B. Arnold Foundation Chair President of the Board
