Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter,The 317th Awards AFROTC Scholarships to Deserving Cadets

The South Florida Aerospace Scholarship Foundation, a sister organization to the AFA Miami-Homestead Chapter, issues scholarships to deserving AFROTC Cadets each year. This year seven Cadets received scholarships. This is just one of the ways our chapter promotes the Air Force as well as studies in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Miami, Florida, 12th January 2012: The core mission of the 317th is to support the education of aerospace studies among local students within various area schools and that mission again has been successfully meet with a recent awarding of various scholarships to deserving AFROTC Cadets. Leading the mission as shown above was Chapter President, Lt.Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete, USAF (Ret.)
From the Students at the George T.Baker Aviation School of Miami, the local Civil Air Patrol Squadrons, JR. AFROTC, and AFROTC at the University of Miami the AFA-317 always maintains a supporting presence.
Aside of the monetary support, that the AFA-317 provide for the benefit of local students, the Chapter has a great deal of active, industry professional that provide their experience and knowledge to the above groups in a unified manner that results in a  "Force Multiplier" for the benefit of continued aerospace education for the youth of Miami-Dade.
The AFA-317th is currently working toward raising additional funds for the year to support their operation and to tackle new challenges.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, The 317th Is Now The Only AFA Chapter Present At The Most Historical Sea Plane Base Within The U.S.

The AFA-317th appears to be the ONLY Chapter within the entire AFA organization that has a relationship and presence with a sea plane base and a connection to a little known history of the USAF dealing with amphibian sea planes

The AFA-317 banner proudly displayed for all to see when visiting Watson Island

The rafters shown in this photograph are the original ones which installed when the terminal building was constructed back in the early 1930's to support operation for Chalk's Airlines

Captain Roberto Gomez proudly hoisting the AFA-317th banner within the terminal building 

The AFA-317 relationship with the Watson Island Sea Plane Base provides the Chapter an alternate meeting place by the waters edge with a tremendous view of the Miami skyline

Miami, Florida / Watson Island 18th June 2010: Always thinking outside of the box, the leadership of the AFA-317 are always seeking to establish new venues and relationships with local business to help promote the AFA and the USAF.

That mission has been achieved with the AFA-317 new relationship with the Waston Island Sea Plane Base in Miami, Florida. Officially known on the aeronautical charts as X-44, dating back to the 1930's this site is the oldest operational sea plane base within the U.S. The former home of Chalk's airlines who operated at the site in providing commercial flights to and from the Bahamas, Watson Island is a little unknown aviation treasure of American aviation history.

The AFA-317th appears to be the ONLY Chapter within the entire AFA organization that now has an established relationship and presence at and active and historic Sea Plane Base.

It should be noted that the USAF at one time successfully operated amphibian aircraft's such as the Grumman Albatross in the Search and Rescue (SAR) role in picking up down aircrews, which was instrumental during the Vietnam War within the South China Sea and the Mekong Delta water ways.

The Grumman Goose, N119AA based at Watson Island is but one of the many variants that the Grumman Aircraft Company created and kept increasing the design that ended with the Albatross version, which was successfully used by the USAF and USCG.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, The 317th President Benny F. Benitez Establishes A Summer Paid Internship for Miami Aviation Students

Shown in sunglasses is Captain Roberto Gomez, the Manager of the Watson Island Sea Plane Base conversing with Dr. Sean Gallagan, Principle of the George T. Baker Aviation School

Chapter President Benny Benitez with Captain Gomez and the three George T. Baker Aviation School students who were the candidates for the intern program at Watson Island

The three selected students shown with the Grumman Goose, N119AA which their technical ability will help keep the aircraft in an airworthiness condition

The group shown inside the historical building that once was the terminal for Chalk's Airlines

AFA-317th Chapter President sitting in the right-hand cockpit seat prior to an engine run up

Miami, Floirda / Watson Island 18th June 2010: As a member of the local aviation community of South Florida and strong supporter of education for the youth of Miami-Dade, AFA-317th Chapter President, Benny Benitez along with industry colleague, Captain Roberto Gomez and in working closely with the George T. Baker Aviation School of Miami-Dade, established the first ever paid, Summer internship for three aviation technical students at the Watson Island Sea Plane Base in supporting a Grumman Goose amphibian aircraft..

The AFA-317 leadership structure consisting of Col. Stan Boder USAF (Ret.) former Chapter President and Lt. Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) Vice President along with Benny Benitez are always in search for creating and establishing opportunities within the community for aviation student to obtain experience and industry exposure. 

Working closely with the leadership at the George T. Baker Aviation School, Principle Dr. Sean Gallagan the connection beneficial toward three selected students was achieved.

Watson Island Sea Plane Base, dating back to 1927 and the George T. Baker Aviation School, dating back to the 1950's are one of the two oldest aviation sites in Miami, Florida. The vision of the 317th resulted in these two organization coming together for the benefit of local aviation students.
The selected students are currently enrolled within the FAA Airframe & Powerplant program and have basic aircraft maintenance experience that will be apply in supporting the Grumman Goose for continued operation.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, The 317th Leadership Embeds Itself With The Greater Miami Aviation Association (GMAA)

Shown above is the Greater Miami Aviation Association "Banner Plane" which was created by the AFA-317th past Chapter Secretary Catherine Smallwood who operates and manages the Digital Aircraft Factory the aviation marketing arm / subsidiary of the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group and who flys as an ERJ-170 Regional Jet First Officer for Republic Airways

Shown above are AFA-317th President, Lt.Col. Rodrigo Huete (left) and past Chapter President Benny Benitez (right) with past Greater Miami Aviation Association (GMAA) President, Mr. Marc Henderson. The AFA-317th Leadership has embedded themselves via elected positions into the (GMAA).

Miami, Florida 14th April 2010: Founded in 1927, the Greater Miami Aviation Association, commonly known in South Florida as the GMAA is the Nations oldest, professional aviation association. Founded four years before what is now a days Miami International Airport, the GMAA 83 year span has seen the progressive development of the U.S. commercial aviation industry, whose roots were established in Miami with such famous airlines as Pan American World Airways and Eastern Airlines.

The "Relevent" leadership and mindset in which Benny and Rod have implemented within the AFA-317th since November of 2009 and having worked in a sort of "wing-man" concept is now being "exported" to another Miami based organization. It should be noted that with the election of Rod onto the GMAA it marks the first time in the organization 83 year history that it has had a dual Military & Civilian Test Pilot as an elected official on it Board of Directors. Benny has been a member of the GMAA since he stood up his organization, the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group back in 2003 and has held previous positions within the GMAA as a member of the its Board of Directors and was formerly 1st Vice President.

In 2009, Benny took a leave of absents due to operational commitments, as he applied time and effort to other ventures of which included the ramping up of the AFA-317th, but maintained his contacts with the (GMAA) as an advisor to the past President Mr. Dan Sullivan.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, The 317th Vice President Speaks at the Miami Quite Birdmen Association Meeting About Flight Testing

Shown is the famed "Century Fighter" the Convair F-106 "Delta Dart". Aside of the two common platform which both Rod and Eric flew, thus being the F-16 & F-15, they too share flight experience with the F-106. The F-106 was flown by the Florida Air National Guard.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, the 317th, President Lt.Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) speaks to the audience of the Miami hangar of the Quite Birdmen Association about the realm of military and civilian test flight and the requirements of test pilots.

Lt.Col Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) a former F-16 & F-15 test pilot poses for a picture with "Eric" also a former F-16 & F-15 pilot who was formerly with the Florida Air National Guard. Eric a member of the Miami hangar of the Quite Birdmen Association and who like Rod for flew THE famed Convair delta wing F-106 "Delta Dart". Lt.Col Huete USAF (Ret.) explains to the audience comprised of both civilian and military pilots of his experience as a member of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and as a test pilot for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) while based out of the FAA Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) New York

Miami, Florida April 6th 2010: AFA-317th Chapter member Bernie Schumacher, who is an active member of the Miami Quite Birdmen Association, extended a special invite to AFA-317th Chapter President Lt. Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) who spoke about the realm of military and civilian flight testing and test piloting at the Quite Birdmen Association April meeting, which was held at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant.

Also, present by invite was AFA-317th Chapter President, Benny F. Benitez, who along with Rod proudly represented the 317th and provided copies of AFA magazines to the attendees.

Rod's speech present an in depth look at what is often a secret and unknown world of the test pilot. From the days of our Nation's space exploration "The Right Stuff" to today's corp of American and foreign test pilots, both military and civilian, the audience was able to obtain a detailed briefing as to how it all plays out. Rod's ability to blend his real life experience as test pilot with the USAF and the FAA with formulated instructional visuals cues and slides, provided a brilliant, informative and entertaining evening for all who attended and gave yet another positive exposure to the AFA-317th within the community.

A special thanks goes out to the member's of the Miami Quite Birdmen Association for extending a warm welcome to the AFA.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, The 317th Visits Opa Locka Airport For New Memebership and Surveys The "Round Engine Classics" Aircrafts

One could only imagine the untold numbers of passengers that this aircraft a Douglas DC-7C has carried in its glory years, when the commercial airline industry was very different from today and yet after all those years this aircraft still earns a living, as it soldiers on as a cargo carrier for Florida Air Transport an established and experienced Opa Locka, Florida based FAR 125 operator A veteran of the recent Haitian earthquake relief fleet of aircraft that transported endless amount of supplies and relief equipment from South Florida to Port Au Prince airport sit poised ready for its calling. Note the "Grasshopper" logo on the forward section, as the flights to Haiti were called and identified by the USAF combat controller who managed the airspace as "Grasshopper" due to the fact that such aircraft's landed on the grass area along the main runway to save the "asphalt" for the heavy jets AFA-317th Chapter Vice President Lt. Col Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) stand next to an RD4, the U.S. Navy version of the venerable Douglas DC-3. This aircraft too earns its living by hauling cargo to the local islands within the Bahamas as well as other destinations within the Caribbean Another Classic a Douglas DC-7B that was saved from the torch of the scrapper and restored to its former glory as Silver Falcon airliner for Eastern Airlines. This aircraft will soon be flying the national airshow circuit, as a flying museum belonging to the Historical Aircraft Flight Foundation. This is the ONLY DC-7B in the world to have been restored to its original airliner condition A far cry from the supersonic jets that Lt. Col Rodrigo "Rod" Huete once flew as a former USAF Test Pilot, but nonetheless it was aircraft's such as these classic "round engines" that fueled "Rod's" love and admiration for aviation as a boy. He commented on the amazement that was seeing the engines of Braniff's DC-6's & 7's chug to life by belching out smoke and sputtering oil at his local hometwon airport

Opa Locka, Florida 26th March 2010: Working within the "wing man" concept the President and Vice President of the Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, the 317th are becoming a common site through out the greater Miami area. Benny and Rod have coordinated their efforts and professional schedules to bring and promote the AFA to many of their clients and colleagues. Being that both of them operate well established, recognized and respected aviation consultant firms within the greater Miami / South Florida area, the task of blending their efforts to advocate for the support of the Miami-Homestead Chapter within their daily operational schedule is fairly easy.

Their trip to Opa Locka took them to visit Wisetouch Interiors an aircraft interior service provider company and a prospective supporter of the AFA. It has become standard operating procedures between Benny and Rod to be pro-active and aggressive when promoting the AFA and seeking community / industry support. The high lite of the visit to Opa Locka airport was nonetheless the ability to tour the flight line and walk among the classic "round engine" aircraft's of which there are not too many still left operationally or still earning their keep.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, The 317th Meets With the Mayor Of The Village Of Key Biscayne

AFA-317th the Miami-Homestead Chapter Vice President Lt. Col Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) meets with the Honorable Mr. Bob Veron, Mayor of the Village of Key Biscayne. The AFA-317th continues their effort to reach out and embrace the local community as they stride for relevance within the public eye Shown with the Honorable Mr. Bob Veron, Major of the Village of Key Biscayne and Lt.Col Rodrigo "Rod" Huete, AFA-317 Vice President is Ms. Martha Kelly a prominent citizen of Key Biscayne and Director of Events for the Miami based, American-Nicaraguan Chamber of Commence which Rod serves as Chamber President

Village of Key Biscayne, Florida 17th March 2010: AFA-317th Vice President Lt. Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) met with the Mayor of Key Biscayne, the Honorable Mr. Bob Veron. Rod's mission was to properly introduce the Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, the 317th to the Key Biscayne Village local Government. In addition, they discussed the participation of the AFA-317th Miami-Homestead Chapter in their 4th of July Parade.

The Key Biscayne 4th of July parade is the only formal parade in the entire Miami-Dade area honoring our Nation independence, the parade initiates with the playing our Nation anthem along with an impressive flyby of F-16 from the 482nd Fighter Wing / 93rd Fighter Squadron, "The Makos" based at Homestead Air Reserve Air Base.

In the Chapter pursuit of being "Relevant" within the local community, its is befitting that our Chapter be properly represented within this notable event. The AFA-317th plans to show its colors by parading in a yet to be determine classic model automobile to be provided by a local dealer.