Arnold Air Society, Angel Flight Commanders Reunite After 40 Years 

AFA Chair of the Board for Field Operations Chris Canada, a former Arnold Air Society Area G commander, reunited with his Angel Flight, now Silver Wings, commander and fellow alumni at the 40th Anniversary of the University of Tennessee’s AFROTC Class of 1984. The reunion provided a great opportunity to catch up, get an update on the AFROTC program, attend a football game, and sing more than a few choruses of “Rocky Top”.   

In the 1983-1984 academic year Area G of the Arnold Air Society (AAS) and Angel Flight covered Southern Illinois, Kentucky, Southeast Missouri, and Tennessee. The Area Headquarters for both organizations that year was hosted at the University of Tennessee by the Lt. Gen. Frank M. Andrews Squadron of AAS and the Lt. Gen. Frank M. Andrews Flight of Angel Flight. 

The two Area Commanders, Kim Koth (now Alaniz) for Angel Flight, and Canada for AAS, had a successful year of leading their Area to National Awards, preparing for reorganization to Area X, and helping to mold future Air Force Officers and aerospace-minded citizens. Canada graduated in 1984 and attended Graduate School while waiting for Flight School to start. Alaniz graduated the next year and became a Speech Language Specialist.   

As time passed Alaniz got adventurous, moved to the National Capitol Region and became a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She recently retired and continues to work for the FBI as an Investigator. Canada retired from the Air Force after 28 years in uniform and is now a consultant/contractor for the Department of Defense. He recently participated in the AAS/Silver Wings National Conclave and was able to bring all the AAS and Angel Flight alumni attending the reunion up to date on what has been going on.