World War II Veteran, 2nd Lieutenant Stuart Newman U.S. Army Air Corp. B-17G Bombardier Navigator Autographs a B-17G Model For The Chapter Youngest Member

After his captivating presentation 2nd Lieutenant Newman was approached by Chapter member Cadet Senior Airman Cruz to say thank you for his presentation, service and to respectfully ask Lt. Newman to sign his B-17G model from his collection of american airpower aircraft

Happily 2nd Lieutenant Newman signed the young Cadet B-17G model

Shown are two happy Airmen! The proud linage continues from one generation to another

Shown is 2nd Lieutenant Newman signature on the wing of the B-17G model which shall be treasured by the young Cadet

Miami, Florida 10th March 2016: There is much to be send about three important traits within our nation military and society at large and they are traditions, admiration and respect and those three qualities were surprisingly evident within one of the Chapter youngest member, Cadet Senior Airman, A, Cruz from the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Tamiami Squadron, the 355 Blacksheeps.

Knowing of the scheduled guest speaker, Cadet Cruz brought in his model B-17G so as to be autographed by 2nd Lieutenant Newman himself. Lt. Newman was taken by this gesture and request and gladly signed the young Cadet B-17G model. 

It was clearly evident by Lt. Newman facial expression that he was happy to see the next generation of  young American continue in the proud and established lineage of the then the U.S. Army Air Corp, and now the United Stated Air Force. In asking the young Cadet as to what he though of Lt. Newman he replied "I am the luckiest Cadet in my entire CAP Squadron to have had the pleasure of meeting and shaking the hand of such a great American as Lt.Newman".

World War II Veteran, 2nd Lieutenant Stuart Newman U.S. Army Air Corp. B-17G Bombardier Navigator Shows Off His U.S. Army Air Corp. Issued Stopwatch

Shown is a B-17, U.S. Army Air Corp., original issued Bombardier / Navigator stopwatch in its tin, spring shock suspended travel case

The Chapter youngest active member, Civil Air Patrol Cadet Senior Airman Cruz checks out this historical piece of B-17 aircrew flight gear

In the same manner in which it was held over seventy (70) plus years ago, 2nd Lieutenant Newman hold his stopwatch and demonstrates as how it was used and amazingly enough the time piece still function perfectly as if it was 1944

A nice close up of the stopwatch dial face which clearly show a 24 hour time system

A direct look down showing the four suspension springs in which the stopwatch rest on which help the time piece sustain the heavy vibrations of the B-17G Bomber and the rough flights in combat

Miami, Florida 10th March 2016: As we all enjoyed the insight that 2nd Lieutenant Stuart Newman brought to the March AFA-317th luncheon with his detailed and vivid accounts of his Boeing B-17G Fly Fortress combat experience, we were also treated to yet another delightful and amazing piece of functional U.S. Army Air Corp. history.

Lt. Newman brought in his original U.S. Army Air Corp. issued Navigator pocket stopwatch. Despite it being small this was a critical part of the crews equipment and especially for Lt. Newman as the Navigator / Bombardier, as this time piece once synchronized back at the crew briefing before take off would in fact tie in all the other aircraft within the bombing formation with a sequenced time pacing. Much to everyone surprise was the fact that its still worked as indented after all these years. 

Lt. Newman with a pure sense of ease and confident as he did so many time before at actual operational briefings set his watch, clicked it bezel top mount button and showed all of us as how he and the time piece would track the time to a target or track time when plotting a course. Truly the man and his pocket watch were the predecessors to today's modern day Global Positioning System (GPS). 

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Enjoyed World War II Veteran, 2nd Lieutenant Stuart Newman U.S. Army Air Corp. B-17G Bombardier Navigator Presentation

Shown are two USAF Navigators from left to right Major General Michael T. Plehn, USAF, Southern Command Chief of Staff and B-17G Bombardier / Navigator 2nd Lieutenant Stuart Newman

Major General Pheln pays tribute and thanks 2nd Lieutenant Stuart Newman for his service and presented Lt. Newman with a Southern Command challenge coin, which was passed within the handshake

2nd Lieutenant Newman delivered an amazing recollection and shared details of his B-17G combat experience with his crew. He kept everyone in attendance both amazed and laughing with his brilliant sense of humor

The March 10th AFA-317th luncheon was a full house with all 30 plus seats filled. As we all came out to hear 2nd Lieutenant Newman speak and to thank him for his service 

In appreciation, AFA-317th Chapter President Lt. Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) presented 2nd Lieutenant Newman with the Chapter crystal, laser etched block with a B-17F image inside of it as well as the Chapter B-17 challenge coin 

Miami, Florida 10th March 2016: This month the Miami-Homestead AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION Chapter, the 317th was honored by having U.S. Army Air Corp., 2nd Lieutenant Stuart Newman a World War II Boeing B-17G, Flying Fortress Bombardier / Navigator as their guest speak at their monthly luncheon.

Lt. Newman captivated a full audience of 25 plus who were in attendance with his vivid and detailed accounts of his B-17G combat experience within the 8th Air Force, 381st Bomb Group, 533 Bomb Squadron. He did this with a pure sense of charm and laughs that only a young 93 years U.S. Combat Veteran could deliver.
It was a sheer honor for the Chapter to have such an amazing piece of our nation history present before all of us and to have enjoyed the time spent. Also in attendance was yet another USAF Navigator, but this one a bit more younger than Lt. Newman, as the 317th had the double honor of having the presence of Major General Michael T. Plehn, USAF, Southern Command Chief of Staff.

We all at the AFA-317 wish to thank both Lt. Newman and Major General Plehn for their time and to have made the March 2016 a most memorable occasion. 
During his speech, Lt. Newman proudly mentioned that he is now the newest and yet the oldest member of the AFA-317th. With a hardy AFA-317th spirit, we say Welcome! to the Chapter.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Reports on The Possible New Airmen Battle Uniform (ABU) For The Civil Air Patrol In The Total Force Concept For The U.S.A.F.

Shown sporting the U.S. Air Force "Airmen Battle Uniform" (ABU) are recently promoted Colonel Dan Leclair, the new Commander of the Northeast Region and Major General Joseph Vazquez Civil Air Patrol National Commander.

Miami, Florida 29th February 2016: With last year Congressional approval, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) became part of the "Total Force" concept within the U.S. Air Force which comprises of USAF-Active Duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and now Civil Air Patrol. In keeping with their newly appointed alignment with the U.S. Air Force, the CAP is exploring the possibility of changing their current, woodland green "Battle Dress Uniform" (BDU) to the current "Airmen Battle Uniform" (ABU) as with their counterparts in the other components of the total force. Shown above are CAP National Commander, Major General Joseph Vazquez and the Northeast Region Commander, Colonel Dan Leclair in their (ABU) Final approval is pending, but it appears that the "Total Force" concept may have visual uniformity among the four components. 

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Welcomes World War II Veteran, 2nd Lieutenant Stuart Newman U.S. Army Air Corp B-17G Bombardier Navigator As The March 10th Luncheon Guest Speaker

U.S. Army Air Corp. 1st Lieutenant Stuart Newman

1st Lieutenant Newman a 35 missions, B-17G Bombardier / Navigator shown with his crew

AFA-317th MARCH LUNCHEON AT THE 

94th AERO SQUADRON RESTAURANT

THURSDAY, MARCH 10th, 2016 AT 12 NOON 

COST OF LUNCHEON US$25.00 

Please RSVP by Monday 7th March

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 Captain Kenneth Sampson USAF (Ret.) Meets Another B-52 Indiviual Mr. Ron Infantino a Former USAF Staff Sergeant & B-52 Crew Chief

Shown from left to right is AFA-317th Chapter member Captain Kenneth Sampson USAF (Ret.) a B-52 Navigator, Vietnam Veteran and former USAF Staff Sergeant Ron Infantino B-52 Crew Chief

Shown in the middle is former AFA-317th Chapter President Benny Benitez who's current position as V.P. of Special Projects for the Chapter arranged for Captain Sampson to speak as well as invited Mr. Ron Infantino to attend the luncheon so as to meet Captain Sampson

Miami, Florida 12th November 2015: Observing these two former B-52 crewmen speak and share their stories and experiences with one another was truly informative. It turned out that both of these men served at the same time frame during their operational tours in Vietnam and both recalled their aircraft and squadrons in stunning details.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Was Treated to Captain Kenneth Sampson USAF (Ret.) Presentation Concerning His 363 Mission-Operational B-52 Experience In Vietnam

By using the model of the Global, Captain Sampson explained about B-52 world operation in speaking about known patrol routes flown / patterns flown as for example those flown during Operation Chrome Dome during the Cold War era

During his presentation and in great details, Captain Sampson showed the various spots on the global that USAF has and currently sustains active B-52 operations in support of U.S. National interest

Having been an active and participating member of the AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION as known then Miami, now Miami-Homestead Chapter since 2005, I have never experienced a situation where a presenting speaker brought appreciation gifts for those in attendance. Such was the case today, as Captain Sampson being the Gentleman that he is gave out these 3 x 2.5 inch magnet sticker showing a B-52 known as "Diamond Lil" which he flew in Vietnam and of which his aircraft is on display on the grounds of the USAF Academy in Bolder, Colorado 

In appreciation for his outstanding and informative presentation, Lt.Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) and Chapter President presented Captain Samspon with the Chapter speaker token of appreciation gift an acrylic block with a nicely, laser etched rendering of a Boeing B-17F Bomber, which is the Chapter AFA-317th adopted mascot aircraft, which proudly represents the Chapter

Miami, Florida 12th November 2015: Those who where in attendance at the November luncheon of the Miami- Homestead AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION Chapter 317th enjoyed a great presentation by one of their own. Chapter member Captain Kenneth Sampson USAF (Ret.) gave an informative and illustrated presentation about USAF B-52 operation in Vietnam, as well as his own experience from his eight (8) combat tours and accomplished three hundred sixty three (363) missions over North Vietnam and Cambodia.

In great detail, Captain Sampson explained the flight and route patterns that he flew on his various mission, as well as extrapolated on the purpose and operation of the USAF "Chrome Dome" Operation in where the USAF keep fully nuclear armed B-52 airborne on a rotational schedule with no one B-52 aircraft being a mere two (2) hours away from any Russian target of interest back during the heated days of the Cold War. Upon his presentation Chapter President Lt. Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete proudly presented Captain Sampson with the Chapter speaker token of appreciation gift consisting of a Boeing B-17F laser etched into a clear acrylic block. The Boeing B-17F (with no chin turret ) is the aircraft that represent the Chapter. Well done Captain Sampson.