Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Is Properly Recognized by AFA Washington D.C. Headquarters For The Chapter Continued And Sustained Membership Momentum

Air Force Association (AFA-317th) Miami-Homestead Chapter President Lt. Col Rodrigo "Rod" Huete announced to all in attendance of the Chapter most recent achieved milestone concerning a special recognition being bestowed by AFA Washington D.C. for the Chapter sustained membership growth

Receiving the award for his effort applied for the benefit of the Chapter is Mr. Raymond G. Bush, Jr., the Chapter Vice President of  Community Partners / Membership. Well done! 

A close up of the AFA-317th Chapter most recent accomplishment

Miami, Florida October 8th 2015: In typical AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION (AFA) Miami-Homestead Chapter 317th style when the 317th sets out to accomplish a goal just the like tough and venerable Boeing B-17 who flew through enemy flak to make their bombing run, the AFA-317th is always on target! Such is with the Chapter latest accomplishment in being recognized by AFA Headquarters up in Washington D.C. for the Chapter sustained new member recruitment. 

It should be noted that the 317th by AFA standard is considered a "Large" Chapter as the current membership standing is at 365 members. 

This effort is attributed the effort of Chapter member, the Vice President of Community Partners, Mr. Raymond G Bush Jr.(shown above). Mr, Bush as been instrumental in his effort and has been yet another motivated and contributing Chapter member. It is ironic that the 317th relates to the Boeing B-17F as their mascot aircraft to represent the Chapter in as the leadership within the Chapter under the guidance of the President Lt. Col. Rodrigo "Rod' Huete USAF (Ret.) and their Vice President, former USAF Major, Ted Kammire and the rest function and perform as a "Crew' for the common goal of the Chapter. Well done to Mr. Bush!

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th October 8th Luncheon With Guest Speaker Sgt. Andrew Cohen Of The Miami-Dade Police Aviation Unit

Sergeant Cohen explains to those in attendance the fleet in which the Miami-Dade Police Department utilizes, which consist of both fixed and rotary wing aircraft's based at both Opa Locka (KOPF) and Tamiami (KTMB) airports within Miami-Dade

A birds view of the luncheon with everyone amazed with the information being presented by Sgt. Cohen

Sgt. Cohen explains the capabilities of their EADS / Airbus AStar AS350 helicopters which is the bulk of the Department fleet. The EADS / Airbus AS350 replaced the Bell Rangers helicopter fleet

Shown attending are members from the Miami University Air Force ROTC Detachment "Det-155" as represented by Lt. J. Szewczyk in ACU camo and Lt.Col. D. Ingram the AFROTC Det Commander 

Sgt, Cohen explained in detail as to how the Air Unit supports and cooperates with Ground Units on various types of "Call Outs" and often the Air Units are the game changers in a situation

October was a full house with well over 20 attendees. Those who arrived first got the upfront seating as seating in the rear was provided for this who arrived late

Shown from left to right are Cadet Airmen 1st Class Civil Air Patrol / Chapter member A. Cruz, Sgt A. Cohen Miami-Dade Police and Benny F. Benitez former Chapter President and the current Vice President of Special Projects who reached out to Sgt Cohen and secured his presence for an amazing and informative luncheon presentation 

Shown is the Chapter President, Lt. Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete presenting Sgt. Cohen with the Chapter luncheon speaker appreciation gift, the Chapter mascot aircraft the Boeing B-17F laser etched crystal block. Being both pilots Sgt. Cohen and Lt. Col Huete enjoyed speaking to each other about the aircraft that they have flown

When asked as to how he enjoyed the lunch and the informative presentation given by Sgt. Cohen the expression on Lt. Col D. Ingram said it all! AFA-317th luncheon are always both enjoyable and informative

Miami, Florida October 8th 2015: From former SR-71 pilots to Two Star U.S. Air Force Intelligence General to Navy Admirals, the Miami-Homestead Chapter of the AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, Chapter 317th has and maintains a monthly line up of interesting and informative speakers that could rival the CBS news program 60 Minutes. With that said the October speaker, Police Sergeant A. Cohen from the Miami-Dade Police Department Aviation Unit was yet another dynamic speaker that gave all who were in attendance an informative insight into the Department aviation capabilities.
Sergeant Cohen explained that the current operational fleet consist of the EADS / Airbus AS350 AStar helicopter of which in the last few years have replaced the older Bell Jet Ranger helicopters. Unknown to many, the Department also has a "fixed wing" asset in as they own and operate a Cessna 172. We learned that the Miami-Dade Police Department was the first civilian law enforcement department to employ and utilized Miniature Air Vehicles "MAV's" via the use of the Honeywell made T-Hawk. We learned that the ten (10) fully, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rated pilots, which make up the unit, all hold dual ratings to fly both rotary wing aircraft's i.e. helicopters and fixed wing aircraft's i.e. planes. 
All who were in attendance bombard Sergeant Cohen with many questions which were spawn by the shear level of interest and engagement that we all experienced.We at the AFA-317th wishes to thank Miami-Dade Police Sergeant Cohen for his time and outstanding presentation.