AFA Connect
AFA Field Awards: Chapters, volunteers and 2026 winners
See how AFA recognizes local service, what the published nomination route says, and which 2026 winning Chapters you can explore on AFA Connect.
What are the AFA Field Awards?
These awards recognize AFA's State organizations, local Chapters and individual volunteers. The program covers Chapter service across education, community partnerships, membership, programming and support for Airmen, Guardians and families. It is distinct from the Association's National Awards, which honor broader air and space contributions.
How do Field Award nominations work?
AFA's program overview states April 30 for nominations, but individual linked forms may specify a different date. Check the current form for your award before planning a submission. It directs Chapter Presidents to submit through their State President and then Region President; where there is no State organization, it directs Chapters to their Region President. Some awards on that page are selected by AFA's Awards Committee and do not accept nominations. Confirm the current cycle and use AFA's official forms and instructions rather than treating this guide as an application.
Which Chapters won in 2026?
Among the Chapters in AFA's dated 2026 winner list are these public AFA Connect profiles. The year matters: these are 2026 recognitions, not claims about a new award cycle.
- Gen. Charles A. Gabriel Chapter — AFA Unit of the Year and Jack Gross winner for Chapters larger than 1,100 members.
- Lincoln Chapter — Outstanding Medium Chapter and medium-size Aerospace Education Excellence winner.
- Mel Harmon Chapter — Outstanding Small Chapter, small-chapter AIMS Exceptional Service Award, and other listed recognitions.
- Fairbanks Midnight Sun Chapter — small-chapter Community Partners Exceptional Service Award and Gold Community Partner Award.
- Lance P. Sijan Chapter — Veterans Affairs Exceptional Service Award and Aerospace Education Achievement listing.
- Ak-Sar-Ben Chapter — Aerospace Education Achievement listing.
- Gen. Robert E. Huyser Chapter — small-chapter Aerospace Education Excellence winner and Achievement listing.
- Montgomery Chapter — Aerospace Education Achievement listing.
- Donald W. Steele, Sr. Memorial Chapter — Unit Exceptional Service Award for Overall Programming.
- Cheyenne Cowboy Chapter — large-chapter Advocacy Exceptional Service Award and Aerospace Education Achievement listing.
- Swamp Fox Chapter — Aerospace Education Achievement listing.
- Charleston Chapter — Outstanding Large Chapter and Aerospace Education Achievement listing.
- Mile High Chapter — Outstanding Extra-Large Chapter and extra-large Aerospace Education Excellence winner.
- Northeast Texas Chapter — large-chapter Aerospace Education Excellence and Jack Gross winners.
- Gen. David C. Jones Chapter — medium-chapter Community Partners and Advocacy Exceptional Service Awards, plus Gold Community Partner and Aerospace Education Achievement listings.
- Hurlburt Chapter — extra-large Community Partners and Community Relations Exceptional Service Awards, plus Aerospace Education Achievement listing.
- Waterman-Twining Chapter — Heritage Exceptional Service Award and Aerospace Education Achievement listing.
This is a selection, not the full roster. Read AFA's complete 2026 winners for every category, Chapter, State organization and individual recipient.
How can I find my local Chapter or participate?
Use the AFA Connect Chapter directory to find the Chapter for your community. Field leadership development is covered separately in our Emerging Leader Program guide. The official Field Awards page remains the source for current criteria and nomination links.
Sources and review date
Reviewed October 13, 2026 against AFA's Field Awards program page and its 2026 winner record. AFA controls eligibility, nomination forms, deadlines and award decisions. Recheck those live sources before submitting or citing a later year.