396 ATRS Community Service

396 Aircrew Training Squadron of the Air Force Explorers Community Service Activities & Awards
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396th Aircrew Training Sq. - Helping out the Greater Phoenix & the Arizona Community

The Air Force Explorers and the 396th Aircrew Training Squadron is very proud of the over 27 Years of Community Service Involvement and the Annual Awarding of the Quality Service Awards received from the Scouting Community as well as recognition from various organizations throughout the Community. Part of teaching our own Core Values is our action in showing our Air Warrior Cadets of the importance of "SERVICE BEFORE SELF" AND "EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO"!

SCOUTING / BSA Service Excellence Awards

  • The Journey to Excellence (JTE) program is the Scouting America’s (BSA) national performance recognition system for units, districts, and councils. It provides a framework for planning the year, a method for evaluating performance, and guidance for improvement across multiple Scouting areas Resources for Scouts. Units are assessed across 10 key JTE objectives (exact criteria vary slightly by program level) Scouting America (BSA). Common areas include: 1. Annual Program Planning – Develop a year-round plan aligned with JTE objectives. 2. Leadership Recruitment & Training – Recruit and train qualified leaders. 3. Program Delivery – Deliver activities that meet Scouting standards. 4. Service Projects – Organize service projects for the community Scouting. 5. Membership Growth & Retention – Maintain and grow membership. 6. Advancement – Support youth advancement through the ranks. 7. Outdoor Activities – Provide camping, hiking, and other outdoor experiences. 8. Budget Management – Manage finances effectively, with a target for modest growth (e.g., 2% annual increase toward the gold standard) Scouting. 9. Progress Records – Maintain accurate records for youth and activities. 10. Specialized Areas – May include Cub Scout-specific objectives (e.g., den meetings, family camp) Boy Scouts of America. The Air Force Explorers and the 396th Aircrew Training Squadron (396 ATRS) has over 27 Years of Community Service Involvement and the annual awarding of the 'Quality Unit' & 'Journey to Excellence' Unit Award received from the Scouting Community as well as recognition from various organizations throughout the Community. This is how we show our our Core Value of "EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO"!

"EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO!"

GRAND CANYON COUNCIL (Phoenix, Arizona) "2010 Post of the Year" Award!

The Air Force Explorers and the 396th Aircrew Training Squadron was awarded the 2010 "Post of the Year Award for Arizona. The Air Force Explorers Post competed with some 77 registered Posts. The Award was presented at an Annual Arizona Awards Banquet in Phoenix, Arizona.

"SERVICE BEFORE SELF!"

396th Aircrew Training Sq. - Helping out the Greater Phoenix & the Arizona Community

The Air Force Explorers and the 396th Aircrew Training Squadron is very proud of the over 27 Years of Community Service Involvement and the Annual Awarding of the Quality Service Awards received from the Scouting Community as well as recognition from various organizations throughout the Community. We take tremendous pride in showing our future Air Warrior Cadets of the importance of another of our Core Values: "SERVICE BEFORE SELF"! Below Community Service Events participated by the AFX 396th ATRS are listed by Event and month & year, and some were an annual participated event.
Fall 2011: "Pima Elementary School Carnival" - Scottsdale, AZ - Staff & Cadet Members from the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers assisted the Scottsdale Pima Elementary School Carnival in set up, site security and break down after the event. Cadets receive many accolades for their support and assistance from the school board.
Nov 2010: "International Plastic Modelers' Society" - Phoenix, AZ - Staff & Cadet Members from the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers assisted the United States Branch of the International Plastic Modelers' Society (IPMS) at their 2010 Annual Convention at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Mar 2010: "2010 Aerospace & Arizona Days Airshow" - Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ" - Staff & Cadet Members from the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers unit for the first time, the SQ manned a recruiting booth at the Davis-Monthan AFB Open House in Tucson. A second booth was manned and operated for Task Force Omega, and was a huge success in their increase in of revenue for the year. Many interested cadets and parents took time to sign up for the first Orientation to be conducted outside Phoenix. Plans were underway for the formation and activation of a second USAFX Squadron, the 398th ATRS “Panthers.” The unit held their first Orientation in early APR with 95% of the support coming from TDY 396th personnel.
Apr 2009: "5th Annual Pat's Run 5K/10K Run - Fund Raiser" - Tempe, AZ" - Five cadet officers from the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers unit participated in the 5th Annual Pat’s Run in Tempe. It was the first time for the unit to run/walk the event with both SMACK’s and Officers.
26 July 2008: "Col. Earl Hopper-Funeral, Honor Guard / Color Guard Detail - Glendale, AZ" - Honor Guard & Color Guard Detail of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers performed at the funeral services for Col Earl P. Hopper, a dear friend of the unit through ties with the Task Force Omega team in Glendale. Earl was a charter member of the National League of Families and one of the founders of Task Force Omega, Inc. He was honored to have been 1 of 10 people chosen to officially break ground for the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, DC. His son 1Lt Earl P. Hopper, Jr. an Air Force F-4D Pilot, assigned to the 13th TAS at Udorn RTAFB was shot down over Hanoi on 10 Jan 1968. His remains were found and name released on 2 April 2009. He was buried on April 3 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.
Dec 2008: "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - Phoenix ANGB, AZ" Headlining the event again was LTC Betty “TACK” Blake, USAAC WASP, along SGT Joe Kellwood, USMC WWII Navajo Code Talker. Both veterans showed the audience true meanings of dedication and service to their country. Dec 2007: "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - Phoenix ANGB, AZ" 7 Dec 2006: "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - Phoenix ANGB, AZ" - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers received a large dose of Patriotism today by celebrating Pearl Harbor Day. Assisted in the Headlining the event was LTC Betty “TACK” Blake, USAAC WASP, and a "Honorary Member" of the 396th ATRS & the Air Force Explorers. She brought the house down with her talk about her fascinating life, and her never-ending stories.
Jun 2006: "BSA Flag Day-Chase Field - Phoenix, AZ " - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers assisted in the forming of a joint giant Color Guard composed of Scouts from throughout the Valley. Members of the 396th ATRS were the only military personnel represented at the event.
Nov 2007: "2007 CAF Vets Day & Helicopter Fly-In" - Mesa MAP, AZ 6-7 Nov 2004: "2004 CAF Veterans Day & Airshow" - Mesa, MAP, AZ - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers assisted in the operation of the 2004 CAF Veterans Day & Airshow/Open House. Responsibilities and tasks completed were Parking Lot Duties and crowd control during an Aircraft accident and crash allowing swift and excellent response by emergency crews.
27-28 Mar 2004: "2004 Thunderbird Balloon & Air Classic. - Glendale MAP, AZ " - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers assisted in the operation of the 2004 Balloon Fest. Responsibilities and tasks completed those two days were surveillance and security of the “Hot Ramp”, as well as crowd control & aircraft display-area security. Special briefings and aircraft tours were provided to 396th personnel including 'ATIS' (Capt. Block's) former fellow USAF LM and Aerobatic Pilot Air Show participant Jon Melby and his Pitts S2B Bi-Plane, as well as from an F-15C Eagle Crew from Tyndall that also participated in the show. High praise for our outstanding performance came from the Balloon Fest Air-Boss, Ramp Supervisor, as well as the Red Baron’s and B-17 Aircrew and ground crew.
Mar 2005: "944th Aeromedical Staging Sq. - Luke AFB, AZ " - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers again assisted the 944th ASTS during their 'Mass Casualty Exercise. Feb 2004: "944th Aeromedical Staging Sq. - Luke AFB, AZ " - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers assisted the 944th ASTS during their 'Mass Casualty Exercise'. AFX cadets used mol aged injuries, with burns and wounds from combat or normal operations, while others played insane, mental or just plain dead corpses. The unit commander said that our participation was critical to the success of the whole exercise.
Oct 2010: "161 ARW-Family Day Fall Festival" - Assist Oct 2008: "161 ARW-Family Day Fall Festival" - Assist Mar 2006: "161 ARW-Family Day Food & Games Venue" - Assist Oct 2004: "161 ARW-Family Day Fall Festival-Halloween Carnival" - Oct 2003: "161 ARW-Family Day Fall Festival-Halloween Carnival" - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers assisted 161 ARW Family Readiness Office in volunteering their hours in preparation & operation of Family Day Activities for 161 ARW members.
Annual Event for the 396th ATRS: * 2025 * 2024 * 2023 * * 2022 * 2021 * 2020 * 2019 * 2018 * 2017 * 2016 * 2015 * 2014 * 2013 * * 2012 * 2011 * 2010 * 2009 * 2008 * 2007 * 2006 * 2005 * 2004 * 2003 * Initial participation: 24 May 2003: "Arizona Nat'l Memorial Cemetery - Cave Creek, AZ" - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers assisted in planting over 44,000 Flags at each Gravesite in preparation for Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremonies.
Mar 2007: "Luke Days Open House - 56th FW, Luke AFB, AZ" - Mar 2005: "Luke Days Open House - 56th FW, Luke AFB, AZ" - 15-16 Mar 2003: "Luke Days Open House - 56th FW, Luke AFB, AZ" - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers assisted in augmenting the Task Force Omega POW/MIA Information Booth at the Luke AFB Open House.
July 2002: "Eagle Project Participation" - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers Cadets assisted in building another bird sanctuary for recovery & care for injured birds. May 2002: "Eagle Project Participation" - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers Cadets assisted in a Flag Burning Ceremony after gathering over 300 flags flown in memory of Sep 9/11 at Falcon Field, AZ.
Jan 2001: "Martin Luther King Day Parade" - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers participated in the MLK Day Parade March in Phoenix, Arizona.
Dec 2000 "Salvation Army - Phoenix Civic Plaza" - Members of the 396 ATRS of the Air Force Explorers Cadets assisted in setting up holiday meals for the homeless people in the area. Others in the Unit also went to assist with the Christmas Angel Program at the main distribution warehouse on Washington Street.
Oct, 2000 "Scottsdale Air Fair & Airshow - Unit Color Guard" - 396 ATRS Color Guard Unit participated with posting of the Colors to start the Event.
Sep 17, 2000 "Bank One Ballpark Arizona Diamondback Game - Unit Color Guard" - 396 ATRS Unit Color Guard participated with Task Force Omega for POW/MIA Recognition Day. The unit was the only youth group represented and raised a new POW/MIA flag on the flagpole outside the ballpark.
Mar, 2001: "Cox Comm - Airshow" - Williams-Gateway Airport Apr, 2000: "Cox Comm - Airshow & Air Races" - Williams-Gateway Airport - 396 ATRS Unit participated with a Food Booth (for fund-raising), and including fun time for Aircraft ID & Warrior Knowledge.
Dec 2011 "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Phoenix, AZ Dec 2010: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Phoenix, AZ Dec 2009: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Phoenix, AZ Nov 2007: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - SanTan Mall East Valley, AZ Dec 2006: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Scottsdale Fashon Square Mall, Scottsdale, AZ Dec 2005: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Phoenix, AZ Dec 2004: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Phoenix, AZ Dec 2003: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Phoenix, AZ Dec 2002: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Phoenix, AZ Dec 2001: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Phoenix, AZ Dec 2000: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program" - Phoenix, AZ Dec 22, 1999: "Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program"- Phx, AZ Air Force Explorers' Cadets & Adult Advisors volunteered at the Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program assisting with Toy Distribution. This was the first of many years of participation for the Unit.
Nov 2008: Annual Scout-O-Rama Event" Nov 2004: Annual Scout-O-Rama Event" Nov 2003: Annual Scout-O-Rama Event" Nov 2002: Annual Scout-O-Rama Event" Nov 2001: Annual Scout-O-Rama Event" Nov 2000: Annual Scout-O-Rama Event" Nov 1999: "GCC Annual Scout-O-Rama Event" - Tempe, AZ Diablo Parking Lot Management during drop-off & pickup up during set-up and tear-down. AFX Cadets run a 'Scouts Obstacle Course', and operate a Recruiting Booth.
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The 396th Aircrew Training Squadron is an Air Force Explorers Unit (Post), is part of Military Exploring (Law & Government) and operate under the auspices of the Exploring Division of Learning for Life, Corporation. (an Affiliate organization of Scouting America, formerly BSA). Military Explorers operate Career Education Programs for Young Adults ages 14-17, Senior Cadets receive Leadership Training from ages 18-20, and Adult Advisors may serve from ages 21 & older. The Military Explorers Program is a year-round After-School Military career-oriented program.