Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Welcomes Sergeant Andrew Cohen Miami-Dade Police Aviation Unit As The October 8th Luncheon Guest Speaker

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Miami-Dade Police Aviation Unit Sergeant Andrew Cohen 

Miami-Dade Police Aviation Unit EADS / Airbus AS350 Helicopters

AFA-317th OCTOBER LUNCHEON AT THE 

94th AERO SQUADRON RESTAURANT

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8th, 2015 AT 12 NOON 

COST OF LUNCHEON US$25.00 

Please RSVP by Tuesday 6th October

Please e-mail afa317@gmail.com to 

reserve your place for this event

No credit cards or checks, cash only

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Welcomes Civil Air Patrol, Florida Wing, 355th Composite Squadron Major Manuel Pelato (CAP) As The Chapter September 2015 Quest Speaker

Civil Air Patrol Major, Major Manuel Pelati is welcomed by all chapter member who were in attendance and who were all presented with a wonderful presentation and insight into the Civil Air Patrol and the function it plays within our communities

Major Pelati informed all who were in attendance of the Civil Air Patrol now being part of the U.S. Air Force "Total Force" along with Reserve and Air Guard Units 

Representatives from the George T. Baker Aviation Technical College. Shown is Principle Mr. Rene Mantilla who is the Chapter Vice President of Aerospace Education for the Chapter

Shown from left to right is Major Pelati-CAP, Mrs. Llizo first time attendee to an AFA-317th luncheon and newly recruited member and the youngest active member of the Chapter Cadet Airman Cruz of the CAP-355th Tamiami Composite Squadron

Miami, Florida September 10th 2015: For the first time in recent Chapter memory since, 2005, the AFA-317th had the pleasure of having the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) come out and speak to all in attendance. Major Manuel Pelati was the guest speaker and presented a well informed speech that gave everyone a well rounded understanding of the mission of the CAP, both in the support and encouraging of aerospace studies among the youth of the United Stated, as well as to service it bring to the local communities with their contribution to search and rescue and disaster relief.  During Major Pelati presentation, he informed everyone that this past Summer the U.S. Congress past a law in which makes the Civil Air Patrol part of the "Total Force" of the U.S. Air Force. This means that Active-Duty, Reserve, USAF Air National Guard Units and the Civil Air Patrol are all part of the same force! This is an amazing accomplishment for the CAP who have always be considered the Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and now are but one segment of a total force concept. The AFA-317 looks forward to work and support the local CAP Squadrons of South Florida.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Scheduled Speaker For The Chapter September 2015 Luncheon Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol, 355th Squadron Major Manuel Pelati (CAP)

Major Manuel Pelati introduction Civil Air Patrol (CAP) biography and overview to his accomplishment within (CAP)

The Official logo of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)

The official logo of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Each State within the United States as a Wing logo representing each respectfully to their State

The official logo of the Tamiami (Miami, Florida) 355th Composite Squadron know as the "The Black Sheep's" For reason get unknown, it appears that the 355th may be the only Squadron within Civil Air Patrol organization with a historical image connection to the fame World War II, United Stated Marine Corp Fighter Squadron, VMF-214

AFA-317th SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON AT THE 

94th AERO SQUADRON RESTAURANT

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th, 2015 AT 12 NOON 

COST OF LUNCHEON US$25.00 

Please RSVP by Tuesday 8th September

Please e-mail afa317@gmail.com to 

reserve your place for this event

No credit cards or checks, cash only

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Welcomes Their Newest and Youngest Members To The Chapter

In attendance for the first time was newly commissioned USAF 2nd Lieutenant Joan Szewczyk who is currently assigned to the University of Miami USAF ROTC Detachment 155 and is the coordinating liaison for the USAF ROTC program to the local community

Not only a new member to the Chapter but the youngest, paid in good standing member, Civil Air Patrol Cadet Airman Andres A. Cruz from the Tamiami CAP Composite Squadron, the 355th

The lineage of  continuation from the youngest to the veteran Chapter members ensure a strong and vibrant Chapter for years to come. Airman Cruz may be the first young Civil Air Patrol member to join but sure he shall not be the last one as the AFA-317th creates the bridge by and between the AFA-317th and the CAAP-355th

The future of our Nation Air Force stand by with Brigadier General Thomas W, Geary. In time and with effort and perseverance this young Cadet Airman may one day be entrusted with the defense of our great Nation and he and many like him will continue the time honored tradition of service  

AFA-317th Welcomes Their Newest and Youngest Members to The Chapter WELCOME!

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Welcomes U.S. Southern Command Brigadier General Thomas W. Geary (USAF) As The Chapter August 2015 Quest Speaker

U.S. Southern Command Brigadier General Thomas W. Geary (USAF) in charge of Intelligence Operations at Southern Command

Brigadier General Thomas W. Geary (USAF) presented a well informed (UNCLASSIFIED) briefing on the efforts and purpose of his group within U.S. Southern Command and the role they play toward the interest of the United States with the Area of Responsibility (AOR)

A snap shot of the General power point presentation 

Miami, Florida August 13th 2015: The well presented and informative presentation given by Brigadier General Thomas W. Geary (USAF) gave all who were in attendance a good overview as to how intelligence plays a significant role in the overall security of the region. The General presentation cultivate a host of queries from the audience and resulted in engaging and enlightening all who were present. The General statements covered many areas of concern to the United Stated which U.S. Southern Command keeps an eye on. Afterward, the General was gracious enough to slightly modify his tight time schedule so as to meet as many of the Chapter members one by one and to continue entertaining one on one questions that still arose from the audience. On behave of the leadership at the Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA-317th Chapter,we wish to thank Brigadier General Thomas W. Geary for his time and informative insight, thank you!

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Scheduled Speaker For The Chapter August 2015 Luncheon U.S. Southern Command Brigadier General Thomas W. Geary (USAF)

Brigadier General Thomas W. Geary introduction United States Air Force (USAF) biography and overview to his career accomplishments

The official U.S.Southern Command logo

AFA-317th AUGUST LUNCHEON AT THE 

94th AERO SQUADRON RESTAURANT

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13th, 2015 AT 12 NOON 

COST OF LUNCHEON US$25.00 

Please RSVP by Tuesday 11th August

Please e-mail afa317@gmail.com to 

reserve your place for this event

No credit cards or checks, cash only

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Chapter Member Extends Material Support to Civil Air Patrol 355th Squadron

The young Cadet of the 355th waste no time in breaking out the donated tent and commence to assemble it and set it up for the Saturday drill meeting

Instilled with the sense of working as a team, it was naturally instinctive of them to work as one for a common goal as we observed them setting up the tent

Within  a period of no less then 20 minutes the tent was up and the Squadron colors posted

Past President Benny F. Benitez, AFA-317th representative and unofficial liaison by and between the AFA-317th and CAP-355th with Squadron Cadet and adult members

Miami, Florida May 16th 2015: In keeping with the spirit of support, AFA-317th Chapter member and past Chapter President Mr.Benny F. Benitez company, the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group donated a portable / pop up tent and portable fold-away table to the Civil Air Patrol 355th Squadron to support their field activities during their weekend drill day.
The Cadets of the 355th despite meeting at Tamiami Regional Airport have no indoor facility to operate / drill out from the weather and are often subjected to the South Florida rain showers. The tent offers them slight sheltered from the weather for the Cadet drill paper work and general equipment and to place their personal backpacks from getting wet. This is the first step toward hopefully establishing a local grass root effort to create and establish a permanent facility on the airport.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Visit The Collins Foundation Warbird Fly-In At Banyan Aviation To Appreciate The Chapter Mascot Aircraft, The Boeing B-17G

The mascot aircraft of the Air Force Association Miami-Homestead, AFA-317th Chapter, the venerable, Boeing B-17G. The back bone bomber of the U.S. Army Air Corp, 8th Air Force

The Boeing B-17G model "Flying Fortress" was distinguished by its nose section chin turret which help fend off attacking aircraft from a frontal position, which was a know means of attack by the German Luftwaffe pilots of World War II

The tails of all Boeing B-17 carrier an alphabetical code system of letters so as to annotate the group to which the bomber would belong to and would help to identify who was flying with you within your formation during large plane bombing formations

A proper side view of the Boeing B-17G. Note the height and size of the tail which help in the steering, the yaw effect of the aircraft operational flight characteristic

The inner view of the Boeing B-17G internal bomb bay which housed depending on the bomb load up to fifteen (15) 500 lbs bombs as shown

The Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA-317th Chapter speaker appreciation award given to all invited guest speakers

The details as created by the laser etching is amazing to see the B-17 in scale within the block

Fort Lauderdale, Florida February 1st 2015: The Boeing B-17 bomber was known as the 'Flying Fortress" due to the amount of the defensive guns it had so as to protect itself from attacking, enemy fighter aircraft's. The early models of the B-17 to the last production model known as the "F" model saw many changes and improvement. One such improvement was the installation of chin mounted 50 caliber guns which was incorporated into the "G" and afterward.
The Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter AFA-317 has adopted the B-17 as its mascot aircraft to represent the Chapter who motto is "The Most Relevant AFA Chapter". When the AFA-317 has invited, special guest speakers at their monthly luncheon, as a sign of  their appreciation to the speakers, the Chapter presents speaker with a laser engraved B-17 within a clear acrylic block.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Chapter President Pays An Official Visitation to the Civil Air Patrol 355th Squadron

Shown from left to right is Captain Kenneth Pena Commander of the Tamiami, Civil Air Patrol 355th Composite Squadron, Lt.Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete, USAF (Ret.) the current AFA-317 President and Mr. Benny F. Benitez former AFA-317 President (2009-2010) on the first official meeting of the two organizations

The support among Chapter President is of great value to the Chapter

CAP-355th Commander Pena explains to Lt.Col Huete USAF (Ret.) the core mission of the Civil Air Patrol and the benefit that it brings to the young Cadets and the inner make up of the Squadron as a Composite Squadron with adult members as well

With full attention, AFA-317th President Lt.Col. Huete USAF (Ret.) listens to CAP-355th Commander Pena explain what would be some of the issues that both organization could work in support of aerospace education among the Cadets and as to how maybe the AFA-317th could assist with a few material needs to help improve their overall training

Miami, Florida January 31st 2015: Based on the recon information in which the past Chapter President Benny F. Benitez was able to obtain and thus provide to Chapter President Lt.Col. Huete USAF (Ret.) from his 22nd January visitation to the CAP-355th, Lt. Col. Huete paid an official AFA-317th visitation to the leadership of the 355th. 
The members of the CAP-355th were delighted to have the AFA-317th leadership come out and meet with them, as based from their remarks, the CAP-355th had always wanted to reach out to the AFA but had no idea as to or to whom they would contact. The meeting by and between the CAP-355th and the AFA-317th lasted for about an hours and half and it allowed both groups to learn about each other and in the end it was relived to both of them that they share the same mission statement to foster, encourage and support aerospace education among young American students. The Miami-Homestead AFA-317th looks forward toward a positive and productive year to work and support the Civil Air Patrol. Benny has proposed to Lt. Col Huete about having the CAP speak at one of the upcoming luncheon meetings this year. 

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Visits a Weekend Meeting Of a Local Civil Air Patrol Squadron The Tamiami 355th Composite Squadron

With their colors hoisted and presented the Tamiami 355th Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron is activated for their weekend drills and training of their young Cadets

The Cadets of the 355th practice their close order marching drills which instills discipline and attention to detail among them and their actions and duties within their Squadron

The Cadets range from the ages of twelve (12) years old to eighteen (18) years of age. After the age of eighteen (18) a Cadet then is considered a "Senior Member" and Adult of the organization

The end of their weekly / weekend drills sessions / meeting are ended with a call to order so that important information and announcements are passed as well as any well deserved recognition is rendered to those in the presence of their Squadron members

Miami, Florida January 22nd 2015: The Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th is commencing the new year (2015) with an effort to reach out and establish strong ties with the local Civil Air Patrol Squadrons of South Florida. Appointed as Vice President of Special Project for the Chapter, former Chapter President Benny F. Benitez has taken the lead in establishing initial ties with the Civil Air Patrol by reaching out and visiting the Tamiami Composite Squadron, the 355th which meets and is based out of Tamiami Regional Airport (KTMB).

Benny visit was merely to extend a formal greeting from the Chapter President Lt. Col Rodrigo 'Rod" Heute USAF (Ret.) to the leadership of the 355th and report back to the Chapter on his findings and contacts so as to establish an effort to create a link and support by and between the two organizations. During the visitation to the 355th drill day of which they, both the Cadets and Adults meet on Saturdays, allowed Benny to view the Cadets in action and meet the various individuals who make up the leadership at the 355th. The AFA-317th looks forward toward a productive year as they commence the bond to help support the Civil Air Patrol.