The Boeing B-17F "Flying Fortress" AFA-317th Chapter Aircraft

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"It has served, unlike any other bomber, through all of the Second World War. It had become a legend in its time. A tribute to the men who had conceived, designed, and built it-and a monument to the remarkable young men, most of them boys who flew it. These men, and this plane, accomplished one of the most frightening missions ever demanded of men and aircraft. Together they helped end history's last "Glorious War".

MIAMI-HOMESTEAD AIRFORCE ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 317th

AFA-317 Blogspot created and maintained by Benny F. Benitez, FAA -Airframe / Powerplant and FCC-Ham Radio Lic.) VFW Life Member, Former Chapter President (2009-2010). Current Chapter Vice President of Special Projects

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Welcomes The Honorable Mr. James Cason, City of Coral Gables Mayor As the October 13th Luncheon Guest Speaker. To Speak About U.S. State Department Policies & Diplomatic Missions In South-Comm A.O.R


 

AFA-317th OCTOBER LUNCHEON AT THE 
94th AERO SQUADRON RESTAURANT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13th, 2016 AT 12 NOON 
COST OF LUNCHEON US$25.00 
Please RSVP by Monday 10th October
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 Regrets To Announce The Passing of Vietnam Veteran, Former AFA President Homestead Chapter and University of Miami Professor, Lt. Col. Ramon E. de Arrigunaga USAF (Ret.)

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IN MEMORIAM 
Lt. Col. Ramon E. de Arrigunaga USAF (Ret.)

Lt. Col. Ramon E. de Arrigunaga former President of the AFA Homestead Chapter

Lt. Col. Arrigunaga teaching aerodynamics to local Boy Scouts. Lt. Col. Arrigunaga was instrumental in assisting Boy Scouts obtain their aviation rating badge 

Lt. Col. Arrigunaga had a distinguished military career as a Special Operation combat pilot during the Vietnam War, flying several USAF aircraft types both in combat and in peace time missions

Lt. Col. Ramon E. de Arrigunana, USAF (Ret.) 

The Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter-AFA-317th regrets to advise of the passing of  Vietnam War, USAF, Special Operation Veteran Lt. Col. Ramon E. de Arrigunaga. Lt. Col. de Arrigunaga passed away on 10th September 2016. Ray fought a valiant effort against cancer due to Agent Orange exposure during his time in Southeast Asia fighting communism. He died peacefully in his house surrounded by his family and his Priest, Father Eddie Jones.
Ray was President of the AFA Homestead Chapter before it merged with the Miami Chapter , then became the Executive Vice President until 2012, when he moved to Destin, Florida. Col. de Arrigunaga had a distinguished military career as a Special Operation combat pilot during the Vietnam War, flying several airplane types. 
After retirement from the U.S. Air Force, he became a Professor at the University of Miami in the International Studies Department. Lt. Col. de Arrigunana was buried at Saint. Elizabeth Anne Seaton Catholic Church. Our sincere condolences to his family. Ray will be missed.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Regrets To Announce The Passing of World War II Veteran, B-17, 35 Missions Crewman and Recipient of The French Legion of Honor Medal TSgt. Seymour "Sy" Shweky

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IN MEMORIAM
Mr. Seymour "Sy" Shweky

Brooklyn, New York native and World War II aerial combat Veteran Mr. Seymour "Sy" Shweky former U.S. Army Air Corp. Boeing B-17F Heavy Bomber crewman with 35 combat missions over the European Theater of Operation (ETO) and Nazi held France

Mr. Shweky shown here with U.S. Air Force elements from U.S. Southern Command at the May 10th 2012 luncheon where "Sy" was the guest speaker and our honored World War II Veteran. Shown on the far left is Chapter President Lt.Col. Rodrigo 'Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.)

Mr. Shweky manning the port side, 50 caliber, Browning waist machine gun of his Boeing B-17F  heavy bomber. Sy was also a highly trained radio man within the crew. Radiomen of B-17 bomber crews were highly, technically specialized technicians of their time, sort of today Information Technology "IT" specialist 

Shown with former Chapter President Benny Benitez who assisted Mr. Shweky to present his vast array of personal World War II B-17 crew gear which he brought to the May 10th 2012 luncheon for all to see and learn about, which including his white, silk scarf that his Mother gave him for good luck of which apparently worked as Mr. Shweky completed 35 combat missions when the average for B-17 crews was 8 missions and where 25 missions was a feat of accomplishment.

Mr. Seymour "Sy" Shweky 
1924 to 2016

The Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter-AFA-317th regrets to advise of the passing of World War II, aerial combat Veteran, U.S. Army Air Corp, 35 missions, B-17F, heavy bomber crewman Mr. Seymour "Sy" Shweky who passed away on Saturday 6th August 2016 in Hollywood, Florida at the age of ninety-two 92 years old.
Mr. Shweky honored us with his presentation of his B-17F aerial combat experience over the European Theater of Operation (ETO) and Nazi held France at our May 10th 2012 luncheon which was held at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant.  Upon learning of Mr. Shweky 35 aerial combat missions over the ETO and many over France, the  Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter-AFA-317th under the leadership of Chapter member Mr. Steven Edelstein, Esq. and The Foundation for Holocaust Education Projects (FHEP) led the way to assist Mr. Shweky obtained and thus be officially awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal by the French Government via the French Consulate of Miami, Florida.We salute and shall always remember Mr. Shweky presentation and his dedicated service to his beloved family and our great Nation.
Rest In Peace Sir. We morn the lost of an American Hero.

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Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Welcomes CMSgt. Tony Rodriguez, USAFR As the September 8th Luncheon Guest Speaker. To Speak About The Enlisted Force, The Backbone Of The U.S. Armed Forces " A Chief Prospective"



AFA-317th SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON AT THE 
94th AERO SQUADRON RESTAURANT
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, 2016 AT 12 NOON 
COST OF LUNCHEON US$25.00 
Please RSVP by Monday 5th September
Please e-mail afa317@gmail.com to 
reserve your place for this event
No credit cards or checks, cash only

Monday, July 11, 2016

Monday, June 27, 2016

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Enhoyed Geo T. Baker Avionics Instructor & the AFA-317th Teach of the Year 2016, AFA Cyber Patriot Program Mr. Darran McDaniel Presentation

Shown is Mr. McDaniel speaking about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to those who were in attendance at the June 2016 luncheon. Mr. McDaniel is strong supporter of STEM

As always the AFA-317 enjoys the presence of the USAF element from locally based U.S. Southern Command. Shown at the corner of the table is Major General Michael Plehn Chief of Staff at Southern Command and a great supporter of the Air Force Association

Chapter Vice President, American Airlines Captain Ted Kammire a former USAF C-130 pilot present the coveted B-17 etched in crystal award to Mr. Darren McDaniel on an outstanding presentation about STEM  and the Cyber Patriot program  

Shown is a proud and smiling former U.S. Marine as he shows off his AFA award. Mr. Darren McDaniel a former U.S. Marine who was involved with USMC F-18 Hornets 

Miami, Florida 9th June 2016: At the June luncheon of the Miami-Homestead AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION Chapter, the 317th all of those in attendance were treated to an awesome and informative presentation on subject of Science-Technology-Engineering & Math (STEM) by Mr. Darren McDaniel the AFA-317th "Teacher of Year". STEM is a topic that the AFA-317th strongly supports within the community via Cyber Patriot and other related programs geared to foster and encourage the attributes of STEM within the youth of Miami-Dade.
Mr. McDaniel an avionics instructor at the George T. Baker Aviation Technical College led his Cyber Patriot team consisting mostly of female students to victory in recent competitions. As former United State Marine, Mr. Daniel "Can Do" attitude which he obtained during his days as a USMC F-18 Hornet fighter / attack aircraft technician is contagious as it has been pasted down to his students. 
The AFA-317th is proud to have Mr. McDaniel as their "Teacher of The Chapter" and encourages other local Miami-Dade teachers to consider applying their experience, talents and tutelage as Mr McDaniel has done.

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead AFA Chapter 317th Welcomes Mr. Darren McDaniel Geo T. Baker Avionics Instructor & the AFA-317th Teach of the Year 2016, AFA Cyber Patriot Program As the June 9th Luncheon Guest Speaker

AFA-317th JUNE LUNCHEON AT THE 
94th AERO SQUADRON RESTAURANT
THURSDAY, JUNE 9th, 2016 AT 12 NOON 
COST OF LUNCHEON US$25.00 
Please RSVP by Monday 6th June
Please e-mail afa317@gmail.com to 
reserve your place for this event
No credit cards or checks, cash only