The Arizona Army Security Agency Association (AZASAA)
An organization dedicated to preserving the history, memories, and friendships derived from serving in the ASA during the years of its existence 1945 - 1976. We watched and listened around the world and served in countless countries.
All former members of the ASA, individuals that served on ASA sites, widows and friends are eligible for full membership in the AZASAA.
Who we are...
This Association consists of former and current members of the United States Army Security Agency, and its predecessor and descendant services.
Our objectives...
It shall be the mission of the Arizona Army Security Agency Association to:
- Further the fraternity of former members of the Army Security Agency and its predecessor and successor units as well as other service veterans by providing a forum for reunion of old comrades-in-arms to find each other, and for new friendships to spring up.
- Honor those of the Army Security Agency, its predecessors and successors, as well as those of other services who lost there lives in the "shadow war", who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country in whose name they so proudly yet surreptitiously served.
- Above all, ensure that the name and the missions, both overt and covert, of the Army Security Agency and its predecessors and successors, are not forgotten, but rather are remembered in the recounting of the annals of latter 20th Century military and social history.
Our history...
A brief history of the Arizona Army Security Agency Association
While the history of the U. S. Army Security Agency has long been steeped in security, some historians trace its roots as far back as 1917 with the U.S. Army Signal Corp of the First World War.
From 1929 to 1942 the organization was known as the Signal Intelligence Service (SIS) or the Signal Intelligence Section (OCSigO). From July 1942 to July 1943 it became known as the Signal Security Service, the field agency of the Signal Security Division, OCSigO and the Signal Security Agency from 1943 to 1945. On 15 September 1945, the Army Security Agency (ASA) was separated from the Signal Corps as a separate organization under control of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2. For more historical information go to www.nasaa-home.org.
The Arizona ASA Association originated from annual “picnics” that were held in the Ft Huachuca area for a number of years. Most recently these gatherings were arranged by Don Cairns of Sierra Vista and held in his backyard. The first “state-wide” ASA reunion was put together on the 25 September 1998 in Payson by Jack Waer. Bob Bennet, Homer Dean, Ken Jones, Charles Ruge, and Dave Waldmann agreed to hold the next annual event in Sierra Vista, which was on held on 1-2 October 1999.
No reunion was held in 2000. Early in 2001, an adhoc committee met the adopted the name Arizona Army Security Agency Association (AZASAA) and selected Jim Nixon as president to hold the next event in Tucson on 24-26 August 2001. At the meeting following the 2001 reunion, it was decided that Charles Ferrell, the newly elected President would develop a constitution and bylaws to be presented at the 2002 reunion. Since this date, the AZASAA has held annual reunions throughout the state of Arizona.