Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Present at The Civil Air Patrol Florida Wing Conference In Orlando, Floirda

Miami-Homestead AFA-317th Chapter past President Mr. Benny F. Benitez officially representing the Air Force Association-317th at the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Florida Wing Conference held in Orlando, Florida on April 15th, 16th and 17th

Benny shown here with Captain Martin Percifield of the communication, aerospace education and safety officer at the Patrick Composite Squadron CAP-293 based out of Patrick Air Force Base

Shown is Lauren Brown of Elite simulation solutions. Elite was present with a very impressionable flight simulator unit that many of the young CAP Cadets and adult senior members tried out and experienced the sensation of flight given by these fantastic training units 

Saturday night 16th April formal dinner and award gala event attended by all who were present

Orlando, Florida 16th April 2016: In the spirit of "Joint Operation" as our brethren U.S. Air Force and military folks carry out, we here at Miami-Homestead AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, the 317th Chapter carry out the same standards in as we support or local Civil Air Patrol units. Such is the case as the AFA-317th appeared to have been the sole Florida AFA Chapter to have sent and had a representative to attend and support the recent the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Florida Wing yearly conference.

The AFA-317th past President Mr. Benny F. Benitez attended the conference and proudly represented the AFA as a viable supporting factor to the CAP, particularly the Tamiami 355th Composite Squadron. While at the conference, Mr. Benitez met and engaged with many CAP officials and attending vendors like Elite Simulation Solutions who were present displaying their flight simulator training units. It was with great pride to have seen the 355th Blacksheeps win the award of Florida top CAP Squadron.  

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Enjoyed Major General Michael Plehn, Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command Presentation on USAF Special Forces Operations and Its History

Major General Michael Plehn, USAF Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command speaks about U.S. Air Force Special Operation history and its current role as the tip of the spear for our nation defense 

Shown with the General are the staff leadership at the University of Miami U.S. Air Force ROTC, Detachment (DET) 155. Shown from left to right are Lt. Col, Ingram Det. Commander, General Plehn, Capt. Kemp and Capt.Rojas. Capt. Rojas grew up in Miami, Florida

One of General Plehn slides from his amazing presentation on the many functions and capabilities within the U.S. Air Force Special Operation Command of which UAS / RPA play a big factor

The General brought in an array of ammunition shells that is fired from an AC-130 gunship. Shown here is the largest caliber shell that is fired from the AC-130, the 105mm howitzer 

Shown here with past AFA-317th President Benny F. Benitez, the General poses for a photo with the 317th Chapter call letters and colors. It should be noted that General Plehn is a Miami hometown boy, as he as raised and attended grade school here in Miami, Florida

Miami, Florida 14th April 2016: The operational history of the U.S. Air Force Special Operation branch is one of great interest, but its even more amazing when told by a person who has lived and developed their Air Force career within the operational life of U.S. Air Force Special Operation as Major General Michael Plehn has done.
Those who where in attendance at the AFA-317th April luncheon were treated to an informative insight into U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command as told by an Air Force officer who has lived it. As a native of Miami, Florida, Major General Michael Plehn, USAF, who currently serves as Chief of Staff at U.S. Southern Command, one of nine unified military command within the Department of Defense had everyone mesmerized by the awesome tactical and military abilities of U.S Air Force Special Operation. 
Armed with an informative and highly visual power point presentation, the General showed the vast operational diversity of the Air Force Special Operation community, of which has a strong presence based in Northern Florida pan handle area.
The General is a great supporter of the AFA and we at the 317th always welcome him back to our future gathering.   

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Welcomes Major General Michael T. Phehn USAF, Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command As The April 14th Luncheon Guest Speaker

AFA-317th APRIL LUNCHEON AT THE 

94th AERO SQUADRON RESTAURANT

THURSDAY, APRIL 14th, 2016 AT 12 NOON 

COST OF LUNCHEON US$25.00 

Please RSVP by Monday 11th April

Please e-mail afa317@gmail.com to 

reserve your place for this event

No credit cards or checks, cash only