I came across several silent color U.S. Air Force (USAF) films documenting the Tenth Conferencia de Jefes de las Fuerzas Aéreas Americanas (ConJeFAmer, Conference of the American Air Chiefs). This ConJeFamer took place during the first half of May 1970 and not only included a demonstration of USAF air power but also lavish reception parties and trips to San Antonio, Vegas, the Hoover Dam and Disneyland! (at the end of the article find out when this Air Chief thing started and learn that it is still ongoing)
Remember, this conference was conducted while the U.S. was conducting war in a place called Viet Nam.
Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).
The films were silent so I added mood music. The films were recorded by Airman First Class Snyder and A1C Wedgeworth.
The whole thing began with an aircraft display on Albrook Air Force Base (now Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport) in Panama, 01MAY1970:
Second, the generals were treated to a Department of State reception party in Washington DC, 02MAY1970. I edited from silent USAF film (I added music):
Next, a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, 03MAY1970:
The generals get ‘taken for a ride’ in San Antonio, Texas; the Tower, canals and Lone Star Beer. I edit film recorded on 07MAY1970:
The generals get rides in T-38 Talons, launching from Randolph AFB, Texas. This video I edited was recorded between May 6th and 8th, 1970. Check out the old (new) cars:
Off to California and Disneyland, check out the lack of traffic on California freeways! I edited film recorded on 10MAY1970:
The generals were transported across the U.S. on the VIP (very important person) VC-137 Stratoliner (a modified 707, it is not a version of the KC-135). I edited this video to show the route flown from Andrews AFB, Maryland, to Randolph AFB, Texas, to Norton AFB, California, to Nellis AFB, Nevada. The films were recorded between May 2nd and 12th, 1970:
The luggage of the generals was transported on a C-141 Starlifter. I edited this video to show the route flown from Andrews AFB, Maryland, to Randolph AFB, Texas, to Norton AFB, California, to Nellis AFB, Nevada:
This video I put together shows a Lockheed C-130E Hercules performing Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPSE) and Short Take-Off & Landing (STOL) on Indian Springs Auxiliary Field (now Creech AFB) in Nevada, 12MAY1970:
This video I edited shows live ground attack runs by F-4D & E Phantoms on Indian Springs Auxiliary Field (now Creech AFB) in Nevada, 12MAY1970:
Next, it’s a visit to the Hoover Dam, 12MAY1970:
Finally, a tour of Las Vegas, with a reception party for the generals in the Sands hotel/casino, 12MAY1970:
The so-called ConJeFamer is still conducted today, through the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces (SICOFAA). SICOFAA was proposed by the United States Air Force, which held the first meeting on Randolph AFB, Texas, in April 1961. The USAF is considered the ‘network control station’, operating out of Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona.
In June 2026, the ConJeFAmer host country was the Dominican Republic.
