JULY/AUGUST AIRFORCEMAG.COMPhoto: Courtesy of the Cold War Museum
Members of the AFA Gabriel (Va.) Chapter and the Asso-
ciation of Air Force Missileers (AAFM) gathered at Vint Hill,
Va., in April for a Cold War Museum briefing on the Cuban
Missile Crisis by retired Col. Charlie Simpson, founder and
director of the AAFM. In October 1962, the US faced the
Soviet Union in a nuclear standoff, known as the Cuban
Missile Crisis, when the Soviets placed medium-range
ballistic missiles in Cuba. The confrontation resulted in our
military attaining the highest level of alert—DEFCON 2—in
our history. This presentation, originally presented to over
800 young missile and bomber crew members, maintainers,
and security forces personnel at the 2012 Air Force Global
Strike Challenge, covered the events leading to the crisis,
the US response, and its resolution.
The Cold War Museum is an AFA Gabriel Chapter Com-
munity Partner. It houses unusual artifacts from signals
intelligence, image intelligence, aerial surveillance, civil
defense, Berlin, the East German Secret Police (Stasi), the
Cuban Missile Crisis, the Pueblo and Liberty incidents,
and more.An AFA Life Member, retired MSgt. Rob Wilkins, has
been appointed by President Donald J. Trump to the Pres-
ident’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition (PCSFN),
whose mission, since 1956, is to increase sports partic-
ipation among youths of all backgrounds and abilities,
and to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles for
all Americans. There are currently 23 members serving
on the PCSFN.
Wilkins served 26 years in the Air Force as a unit fit-
ness adviser, retiring in 2009, and has developed several
fitness and exercise-related programs for unit personnel.
He currently serves on the board of Boulder Crest Retreat
for Military Veteran Wellness. He once trained to be a
bodybuilder, and is also president of Rolling Thunder,
Washington, D.C.
As a recognized Air Force fitness expert, he received an
Air Force Commendation Medal for setting up life-saving
health screenings for three military personnel, each diag-
nosed with diabetes, and he has also worked to promote
health and fitness to children participating in the Special
Olympics.
Other members on the president’s council include MLB
Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, former NFL great Herschel
Walker, and TV show host Dr. Mehmet Oz.
For a list of ways to be active and keep up with your
physical fitness, go to: https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/
be-active/ways-to-be-active/index.html.Cold War Museum Presentation
USAF Vet on President’s Council
on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition
Retired Col.
Charlie Simpson
speaks to the
attendees
about the
Cuban Missile
Crisis at a Cold
War Museum
briefing.Rob Wilkins has been an advocate for health and fitness for many
years and continues his e orts on the President’s Council.
Photo: Rob Wilkins