AFCEA, founded in 1946, serves as a bridge between government requirements and industry capabilities, representing the top government, industry and military professionals in the fields of communications, computers, intelligence, and information systems. AFCEA, a non-profit international association, is dedicated to the professional development of its members and peace through government effectiveness and military/industrial preparedness. The purpose of the Association is to support global security by providing an ethical environment that encourages a close cooperative relationship among government agencies, the military, and industry. Through its journal SIGNAL, AFCEA covers the international disciplines of communication, computers, intelligence, and information systems. Presently, AFCEA has 36,000 individual members, 1000 corporate sponsors, and 130 chapters worldwide.

The Tampa - St. Petersburg Pelican Chapter monthly membership meetings are generally held with a luncheon on the third Thursday of each month at MacDill AFB's Surf's Edge Club.

The 1100+ member Pelican Chapter distributed scholarships to deserving students in the communications, engineering, and computer science fields of study. We have been pleased to expand this program over the last few years to include scholarship offerings for graduate students, ROTC cadets, and enlisted personnel in the local community. Proceeds from our biennial EXPOs, our annual Spring Golf Tournament, and raffles during our monthly luncheons account for our Scholarship Fund. Additionally, we support other non-profit organizations in our local community such as "Operation Warm Heart," a program helping needy MacDill families and the Hope Children's Home, a local orphanage.