Incorporated in 1942, The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is the official charity of the United States Air Force. AFAS to help relieve financial distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them in financing their higher education goals. Its three-pronged charter promotes the Air Force mission by providing worldwide emergency assistance to members and their families, sponsoring educational assistance programs, and offering a variety of base community enhancement programs that impact member/family welfare. Over the last decade, Air Force Aid Society has provided nearly $180 million in direct support via 500,000 assists to Air Force members and their families.