Networking Happy Hour (30 Jul 2026)

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Connect. Collaborate. Grow.

Join the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) Wright Memorial Chapter for an evening of networking, collaboration, and camaraderie with fellow defense, industry, government, and community professionals.

We're excited to partner with the Greater Ohio Valley Chapter of Women In Defense (WID), FastRope, and the Dayton-Wright Chapter of AFCEA to bring together a diverse group of professionals for a relaxed and engaging happy hour.

Whether you're expanding your professional network, reconnecting with colleagues, or meeting new members from across the defense and technology community, this event offers a great opportunity to build meaningful connections in an informal setting.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, July 30
Time: 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: The Dublin Pub
300 Wayne Avenue
Dayton, OH 45410

We look forward to seeing you there!

August 2026 Luncheon with Brigadier General (sel) Tim Helfrich, PAE - Fighters & Advanced Aircraft (12 Aug 2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:30:00 GMT

The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) Wright Memorial Chapter (WMC) is honored to welcome Brigadier General (sel) Tim Helfrich as our distinguished guest speaker at the upcoming luncheon on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Brigadier General (sel) Timothy M. Helfrich is the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He is responsible for the development, production, fielding, sustainment, and modernization of the Air Force fighter portfolio, which includes the A-10, F- 15, F-16, F-22, and special programs; as well as the development of the F-47 program, Collaborative Combat Aircraft and other advanced aircraft capability development activities.

Topics for this luncheon are:

- Fighters and Advanced Aircraft

- Challenges and priorities of the PAE role

- Implementation of Government Reference Architecture (GRA) across portfolios

Brig Gen (sel) Helfrich was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received his commission from the United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Course, Detachment 220 at Purdue University in May 2002. He has served in a variety of acquisition positions at an Air Logistics Center, the Air Force Research Laboratory, a flight test squadron, Air Staff, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and a classified program office. He served in key acquisition leadership roles as the Materiel Leader for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, the Senior Materiel Leader for Cyber Systems and most recently was the Senior Material Leader for the Advanced Aircraft Division. Col Helfrich has combat experience from Operation IRAQI FREEDOM where he was the Detachment Commander for a joint flying unit, and from Operation INHERENT RESOLVE where he served as the SOCCENT Forward Headquarters Commandant.

Luncheon Details

Date: 12 August 2026
Time: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Place: Pentagon Towers, 3500 Pentagon Blvd, Beavercreek, OH 45431

Price: Current Military & Government Civilians $10

AFA Members $35

AFA non-Members $40

Attire: Business Casual or Military UoD (OCPs are perfectly acceptable)

Agenda:

1100 to 1130 – Luncheon Check-In & Networking

1130 – Welcome

1200 – Col Helfrich's Brief

1300 – Lunch Conclusion

RSVP Required: 7 days prior to the luncheon. Pre-registration is required.

Cancellation Policy: Reservations will be billed unless cancelled 7 days prior to the luncheon.

**Chatham House Rules apply, and no recording is allowed**