Air Force Association Miami Chapter, The 317th Brings Holiday Cheers and Expand Their Foot Print Within The Miami Aviation Community

Mr. James Celluar, DHL Cargo Power Plant Manger and former USAF F-4D Phantom jet mechanic wins an AFA Holiday gift bag and looks forward to becoming an AFA-317th supporter The second winner of an AFA gift bag was Mr. Derry Huff, Sr. Vice President of Operation for AmeriJet Airline a Boeing 727 cargo carrier

The final winner was Mr. J.C. Mondesur who represented Florida West Air Cargo a Boeing 767-200 cargo operator and part of the Chilean Airline "Lan Chile"

Miami Springs, Florida 10th December 2009: The Miami Air Force Association 317th Chapter made a Holiday presentation at the annual Miami Maintenance Management Council Christmas Party thus providing Holiday AFA gifts bags as party door prize. The gift bags included a copy of the AFA December Magazine, dinner gift certificates to local restaurants and a complementary one year individual AFA membership. The winners shown above represent three major cargo airlines based in Miami and future supports of the AFA-317.
From top to bottom are cargo airline representative from DHL Cargo, AmeriJet and Florida West. Among the winner was Mr. James Celluar, PowerPlant Manager for DHL Cargo and a USAF Veteran who served as an F-4D Phantom engine jet mechanic and looks forward to becoming a supporting member of the 317th. The leadership at the 317th looks forward to hopefully securing DHL as one of their major corporate aviation sponsor. In attendance both enjoying the festivity and proudly representing the AFA 317th Chapter was President, Benny Benitez, Chapter Secretary, Catherine Smallwood, Chapter members Stan Bodner and Konrad Walter, President of Complete Turbine Support.

Air Force Association Miami Chapter, The 317th President to Establish Ties With The Israeli Air Force Center

Shown from left to right is former Israeli Air Force A-4N Skyhawk Pilot and combat mission veteran "U" with AFA-317th Chapter President Benny F. Benitez. The AFA-317th may very well be the first ever AFA Chapter to have a world wide presence and members around the globe The McDonnell Douglas A-4N Skyhawk as shown at the Israeli Air Force Museum. The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was the first ever modern Military Jet aircraft exported to Israeli from the United States, which open the doors to other aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom, F-15 Eagle and the F-16 Falcon
Another aircraft which few knew about being "leased" to the Israeli Air Force (IAF) by the United States was the Grumman OV-1 Mohawk, which was utilized for battlefield assessment. "U" who is shown above also flew one of the only two such aircraft leased and operated by the IAF during combat missions. According to "U" one OV-1 Mohawk was struck lighting while sitting at an IAF Base and destroyed, the second aircraft resides at the Israeli Air Force Museum

North Miami Beach 1st December 2009: Utilizing the international exposure and connections in which the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group maintains under the leadership and guidance of its Founder and CEO, Benny F. Benitez with Individuals, Companies and allied Governments world wide, these attributes shall be brought to bare for the benefit of the Miami Chapter of the Air Force Association. The 317th shall expand on an aggressive program in 2010 to locate and secure supporters and contributors outside the Continental Unites Stated (C.O.N.U.S) who are avid supports and beneficiary of U.S. Air Power.

One such contact and establishment shall be with the Israeli Air Force Center in Israel.

In his first month in office, the AFA-317th President, Benny F. Benitez has already called on and liaised with Israeli Air Force contacts both within the United States and aboard.

With the establishment of what being coined by the 317th as "Geographical Chapter Supporters" (GCS.s) for Companies and Governments and "Geographical Chapter Members" (GCM's) for individuals, the AFA-317th looks forward to an expanded global role unseen with the AFA community as whole in generating support. The mission for this global outreach effort is focused on the issue of raising and establishing a reserve of working fund for an aggressive educational support program for local South Florida area High Schools Jr. AFROTC programs and for the support of the University of Miami AFROTC program Detachment "Det 155".

Air Force Association Miami Chapter The 317th Senior Member Stan Bodner and His U.S.A.F Service in The A-26

The venerable A-26 twin engine light bomber / attack aircraft

Shown next to his aircraft is Stan Bodner

Shown from left to right

Miami, Florida 30th November 2009: