Airlift/Tanker Association

What Airlift/Tanker Association does

The Airlift/Tanker Association (A/TA) is a Section 501(c)(3)e tax-exempt nonprofit organization founded in 1988 and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is dedicated to providing an international forum ensuring American military forces retain the air mobility capability required to implement U.S. national security strategy, serving active duty, guard, reserve, retired military personnel, civilians, and industry supporters of the air mobility mission. The organization is governed by a non-paid volunteer Board of Officers elected at annual meetings, with day-to-day operations managed by two administrators (Lt Col Gary Hart, Ret, and Sondra Hart).

A/TA's core offerings are event- and community-driven rather than technology-driven. The annual Air Mobility Symposium & Technology Exposition (58th edition scheduled November 5–7, 2026, Orlando) is the primary industry gathering, alongside the A/TQ Quarterly magazine (publication since 1989), a Virtual Seminar Series with 24+ recorded sessions, and 50+ local chapters worldwide. Recognition programs include the Hall of Fame, the Valor Award, the Young Leadership Award, the Specialized Mission Award, and 15+ other administered awards partnered with Air Mobility Command. Educational programs include Enlisted Education Grants ($400) and college scholarships. The association's technology footprint is minimal — basic website, email, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) — with no proprietary platform, API, or software product.

Revenue is generated through individual membership dues ($40/year, $110/3 years, $500 life; $20 discount for E-1 to E-4), the Industry Partner Program ($2,200/year producing over 75% of exhibit fees), convention booth rentals ($3,700 per 10'x10' for Industry Partners, $4,600 for non-partners), and donations to earmarked funds (General, Education, Halvorsen Education Center, Operation Allies Refuge Monument). Customer segments span active duty military, reserve components, retired personnel, civilians, and over 50 defense industry partners including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, GE Aerospace, L3Harris, RTX, Airbus, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce North America, Gulfstream, and emerging firms such as Merlin Labs and CAE. Go-to-market is community-led via chapters, conventions, and partner referrals.

Name

Airlift/Tanker Association

Legal name

Airlift/Tanker Association

Website

https://atalink.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Airlift/Tanker Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization serving active duty, guard, reserve, retired military, civilian, and industry supporters of the U.S. air mobility mission through conventions, a quarterly magazine, awards programs, scholarships, and 50+ local chapters worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide core revenue supporting association operations, quarterly magazine publication, convention activities, and educational programs. Individual membership rates include $40 for 1 year, $110 for 3 years, or $500 for Life Membership. E-1 to E-4 enlisted receive a $20 discount.
2. Industry Partner Program: Corporate partnerships providing annual fees of $2,200 per year, payable by June 30 before the convention. Industry Partners receive five free individual memberships, reduced exhibit booth rates, website recognition, magazine mentions, and convention benefits. These generate over 75% of A/TA's exhibit fees.
3. Convention and Exhibition Fees: Revenue from booth space rental at the annual Technology Exposition: $3,700 per 10'x10' booth for Industry Partners, $4,600 for other exhibitors. Includes sponsorship opportunities and banquet seating.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations to various funds including General Fund, Education Fund, Halvorsen Education Center, and Operation Allies Refuge Monument. A/TA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with FEIN 59-1852735.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Airlift/Tanker Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit international membership organization that provides a forum for the U.S. air mobility community. It offers individual and corporate memberships, an annual Air Mobility Symposium and Technology Exposition, the Airlift/Tanker Quarterly magazine, education grants and scholarships, an awards program administered in conjunction with Air Mobility Command, and a worldwide network of local chapters supporting active duty, guard, reserve, retired military, civilian, and industry supporters of air mobility.

Product overview

The Airlift/Tanker Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization dedicated to ensuring American military forces have the air mobility capability required to implement U.S. national security strategy. The association operates as a single unified offering centered on membership services rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its core offerings include the Airlift/Tanker Quarterly (A/TQ) Magazine (quarterly publication), Virtual Seminar Series (educational programming with 24+ recorded sessions), Annual National Convention & Air Mobility Symposium & Technology Exposition (industry event), Industry Partner Program (corporate membership with sponsorship benefits), Awards Program (recognition administered by Air Mobility Command), Enlisted Education Grant ($400 grants for enlisted members), Scholarship Programs (college scholarships), and A/TA Chapters (40+ local chapters at Air Force bases worldwide). The association serves active duty, guard, reserve, and retired military personnel, as well as civilian and industry supporters of the air mobility mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership Annual or lifetime membership for active duty, guard, reserve, retired military personnel, civilians, and industry supporters of the air mobility mission, providing access to the Airlift/Tanker Quarterly magazine, conventions, education grants, scholarships, and chapter events.
• Industry Partner Program Annual corporate partnership for aerospace and defense companies at $2,200 per year, providing five free individual memberships, reduced exhibit booth rates, website and quarterly magazine recognition, and access to industry and government personnel through association activities.
• Annual Air Mobility Symposium and Technology Exposition Exhibitor Booth Exhibit booth space at the annual Technology Exposition held in conjunction with the Air Mobility Symposium, priced at $3,700 per 10'x10' booth for Industry Partners and $4,600 for non-partner exhibitors, with a $100 discount for check or wire transfer payment.
• Annual Air Mobility Symposium and Convention Registration Registration for the association's premier annual event featuring professional development seminars, keynote speakers, and aerospace industry exhibits; the 58th Annual Symposium is scheduled for November 5-7, 2026 at Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando, Florida.
• Enlisted Education Grant $400 education grants offered to deserving enlisted personnel who are members of the association, available to Air Force Active Duty, Air National Guard, or Air Force Reserve members pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees.
• College Scholarship Programs College scholarships administered by the association to support the growth of the next generation of air mobility leaders, available through the association's scholarship programs.
• Airlift/Tanker Quarterly (A/TQ) Magazine Subscription Quarterly in-house magazine containing mobility issues, professional interest articles, association activities, and heritage stories. Print copies are mailed free to all members, with subscription options available for non-members, organizations, and libraries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 75% of A/TA exhibit fees generated by Industry Partners
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered standard, core, emerging and flagship.

• ADS, Inc.standardGTM or Marketing PartnerDefense industry company listed as an Industry Partner of the Airlift/Tanker Association
• AIRBUScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal aerospace leader with U.S. operations contributing over $187 billion to the U.S. economy since 1990, supporting 275,000+ American jobs through its supplier network
• BoeingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor defense contractor and Industry Partner supporting air mobility mission through exhibit presence at Technology Exposition
• BAE SystemscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal defense, aerospace and security company with 85,800 employees worldwide, delivering products for air, land, sea and space
• Bombardier DefensestandardGTM or Marketing PartnerDivision of Bombardier Group designing, developing and delivering range of capabilities for operators worldwide with hundreds of specialized aircraft
• Booz Allen HamiltoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerConsulting firm with experts in analytics, digital solutions, engineering, and cyber, serving as key partner on innovative government programs
• CAEcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology company equipping people in critical roles with expertise and solutions, digitalizing the physical world with software-based simulation training and critical operations support
• GE AerospacecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorld-leading provider of jet, turboshaft and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft
• Gulfstream Aerospace CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHas served government customers with special mission aircraft since 1967, with more than 200 Gulfstream aircraft supporting governments in 40+ countries
• L3Harris TechnologiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAgile global aerospace and defense technology innovator delivering end-to-end solutions with 48,000+ employees at 400+ locations worldwide
• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal security and aerospace company known for building and supporting military aircraft including C-130 Hercules, C-5 Galaxy, F-16, F-22, and F-35
• Northrop GrummancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal aerospace and defense company delivering transformational technologies for 21st century warfighter, including B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider
• RTXcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology and science company redefining how we connect and protect the world, with 180,000+ global employees and 2025 sales of more than $88 billion
• Rolls-Royce North AmericastandardGTM or Marketing PartnerLeader in defense aero engine market with AE engine family delivering more than 86 million flight hours, powering military operations worldwide
• Avfuel CorporationstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal supplier of aviation fuel and services with 3,500+ worldwide locations and 675+ Avfuel-branded FBOs throughout North America and Europe
• Leonardo DRSstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides sustainment solutions for Tunner 60K and Halvorsen 25K Aircraft Cargo Loaders supporting AMC airman in meeting global commitments
• Cubic DTECHstandardTechnology or IntegrationEdge compute and networking platforms enabling edge users to connect, secure, and analyze mission-critical data with scalable edge technologies
• David Clark Company IncorporatedstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerWorld leader in headsets for military, marine, and general aviation, specializing in communication solutions for high-noise environments
• Field AerospacestandardGTM or Marketing PartnerU.S. owned business with 160,000 sq. ft. of facilities near Tinker AFB, providing aircraft modifications, maintenance, and special-mission aircraft services
• Merlin LabsemergingTechnology or IntegrationGrowth stage autonomy startup building world's most experienced pilot, with $105M IDIQ with USSOCOM for C-130J operations and CRADA with AMC/AFRL for KC-135 integration
• Metrea Strategic MobilitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOnly company with KC-135s providing contracted air-to-air refueling services, seamlessly integrating into military aviation training and operations
• EmbraerstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal aerospace company with 50+ years of expertise, offering C-390 Millennium multi-mission military transport and solutions in 60+ countries
• SNCstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerTrusted global leader in aerospace and national security, enabling connected protection through command, control and communications systems
• Air Mobility Command (AMC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerA/TA partnered with Air Mobility Command to provide world-class Symposium and Technology Exposition for Air Mobility Warriors

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Reserve Officers Association (ROA): A uniformed-service-wide professional association with individual dues, industry partnerships, magazine, and Capitol-Hill advocacy—similar in form factor to A/TA though reservist-focused rather than mission-focused.
• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA): MOAA is a top-three military professional association with tiered individual dues, advocacy, education grants, and industry partner support across all services. A/TA mirrors MOAA's lifecycle of benefits (scholarships, advocacy, networking) but is narrowly scoped to mobility whereas MOAA is service-agnostic.
• Navy League of the United States: A 501(c)(3) with the same playbook as A/TA—membership dues, sea-service conferences/expositions, industry partner program, awards, scholarships—mapping directly onto air mobility's maritime counterpart (sea-airlift parallels).
• National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS): NGAUS operates the canonical defense-association model—annual conference with industry expo, individual and corporate memberships, magazine, awards, scholarships—for the National Guard community, structurally analogous to A/TA's reserve-component membership strand.
• Air Force Association (AFA): AFA is the premier 501(c)(3) professional association for the broader US Air Force, directly comparable to A/TA in structure, membership dues model, awards programs, magazine (Air Force Magazine), and industry partner program—A/TA essentially operates the same model for the air-mobility community that AFA operates for the whole USAF.
• Association of the United States Army (AUSA): AUSA runs the standard defense-service professional association playbook—annual exposition, industry partners, awards, chapters, magazine—directly analogous to how A/TA operates an annual Air Mobility Symposium & Technology Exposition with a defense industry partner ecosystem.
• Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA): Quad-A runs an annual convention/exposition, scholarship programs, awards, and an industry partner network tied to a specific Army aviation community. The closest analog organizationally to A/TA but for Army aviation rather than USAF airlift/tanker.

Emerging players

• Space Force Association: A newer professional association for a service community analogous to A/TA's air-mobility scope. Useful as a recent reference point for how modern military-service associations structure dues, chapters, and partner programs.

Broad incumbents

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): A much larger aviation-focused membership association with broad industry partnerships and recurring dues. Comparable in revenue-tier ambition and aviation community focus, though civilian rather than military air mobility.

Others

• Defense Credit Union Council: A defense-community industry association exhibiting at defense events with a tiered industry-partner model—relevant peer for benchmarking how defense-affiliated nonprofit associations monetize partnerships rather than competing on mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AirliftTanker
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCt9APNv9HFoMzPa6FQE-jVw
• Facebookfacebook.com/AirliftTankerAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/airlift-tanker-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Airlift/Tanker Association