94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consulting Group Visit Continental Aircraft Support of Miami

From left to right: Benny F. Benitez, Founder & CEO of the 94th ACG, Mr. Jose Paez, V.P. Production and Mr. Luis D. Ezra, V.P. of Quality Assurance

Miami Lakes, Florida 17th December 2008: One of the things that is always refreshing to us at the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consulting Group (94th ACG) within our fluid and dynamic industry is learning about service providers whose core mission is pure quality and excellent customer service.

Today, the (94th ACG) experienced that first hand when undertaking a full facility survey of Continental Aircraft Support, located in Miami Lakes, Florida.

Established five years ago and composed of a team of highly seasoned professionals whose lineage could be traced back to the world famous, high quality Barfield Company, Continental Aircraft Support brings a new standard toward producing a quality product.

A review of their shops, tooling, manuals, proceedures, as well as speaking with key company personel like Mr. Luis D. Ezra, V.P. of Quality Assurance and Mr. Jose Paez, V.P. of Production and with many of their technicians, it was evident that these individuals all share a passion for "Aviation" and a vision of excellent that would rival any large world airline or military overhaul facility concerning their speciality.

Continental Aircraft Support is what we call an "Aviation Aware" organization, as they are assisting in the repair of key avionics equipment belonging to a former Easter Airline DC-7B, which is being resorted at Opa Locka Airport and to the best of our knowledge is the only such facility in all of Miami assisting with their expertise and professionalism toward this project. What galvanized our professional opinion of Continental Aircraft Support, was a comment made to us by Mr. Carlos Rodriguez, V.P. of Operation toward the end of our survey in which he stated "Our product is our passion". We at the 94th ACG Congratulate Continental Aircraft Support for being an example of excellent within the community.

94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consulting Group and the Oldest Serving United States Marine Corp Squadron VMGR-252 / KC-130J

Engines # 3 & 4 with new composite six bladed propellers
KC-130J Buno 165735 on the ramp with Modex "735"

94th ACG Founder & CEO on the flight deck of 735

Opa Locka, Florida December 13th 2008: The 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consulting Group (94th ACG) spent a day getting check out on the Lockheed KC-130J belonging to United Stated Marine Corp. Squadron VMGR-252. VMGR-252, under the command of Lt. Col. Robert P. Cote is based out of Marine Corp. Air Station Cherry Point, located in Cherry Point, North Carolina.

VMGR-252 is the oldest continually active service squadron within the Marine Corp.

Established in June 1928, in San Diego, California, the squadron was re-designated several time over the next decade. In July 1941, the squadron was designated Marine Utility Squadron-252 then in April 1945 was then changed to Marine Transport Squadron-252.

VMGR-252 was heavily involved during World War II, after the war the squadron relocated to its current home at Cherry Point, North Carolina. On February 1962, the unit got its current designation as "Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron VMGR-252".

In July 1981, VMGR-252 was award the Humanitarian Service Medal for their role in assisting many Cuban refugees who escaped Cuba during June 1980. Today, VMGR-252 consist of 240 Enlisted personal, 50 Officers and 12 aircraft's. In its 76 years of operation and service to our great Nation, VMGR-252 has flown 30 different type of aircraft. The latest version of the venerable Lockheed C-130 "J"-Model, which we received a full ground / pre-flight check out were obtained in 2005. The 94th ACG is looking to "adopt" the squadron and support the moral and welfare of the troops within VMGR-252 through yearly monetary donations.

94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consulting Group Supports the Restoration of the Eastern Airlines DC-7B Aircraft (Continued Story)

Left to Right: Benny F. Benitez 94th ACG,

Capt. Carlos Gomez of Turks Air Cargo

and Catherine Smallwood 94th ACG

Opa Locka, Florida 14th December 2008: As a continued story from April 2008, the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consulting Group (94th ACG) visited Mr. Carlos Gomez to see at to the progress on this tremendous project, the restoration of an ex-Eastern Airline DC-7B. During the visit the application of the Eastern call letters onto the fuselage and the laying of the interior floor carpet was witnessed.

The effort is now in full swing for a 21st December 2008 "Open House" to show the public and the aviation community the quality work undertaken and accomplished by Mr. Gomez and his talented group of mechanic / artisan's!

We toured the aircraft while Mr. Gomez proudly explained to us the many hurtles and many accomplishment achieved in this labor of love.

The 94th ACG was please to learn that a local Miami based Avionic FAA Repair Station known as Continental Aircraft Support has stepped up to the plate and offered to repair a vast array of the avionics equipment on the DC-7B free of charge a tremendous help to the project.

Congratulation to Mr. Jose Paez of Continental Aircraft Support (305) 883-6100.

The 94th ACG shall be present during the 21st December event to render its assistance and with the launch of a new subsidiary in 2009 to be know as the "Digital Aircraft Factory" shall work closely with Mr. Gomez and the Atlantic Aircraft Model Shop of Miami with Mr. Roger Jarman to create high quality digital art rendition of the aircraft as well as other marketing material.

94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consulting Group and the City of Fort Lauderdale North American F-86H Saber Jet Project

Shown from Left to Right is Mr. Ran Meriam former President of the Air Force Association (AFA) Gold Coast Chapter and Ms. Catherine Smallwood with Mr. Benny F. Benitez of the 94th ACG and members of the Miami AFA Chapter, the 317th

F-86H Sabre USAF s/n 53-1255 as it sits

at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE)

awaiting restoration and repairs

Damaged caused to F-86H Sabre USAF s/n 53-1255

as a result of 2005 Hurricane Wilma

Fort Lauderdale, Florida December 12th 2008: Elements of the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultig Group (94th ACG), which included their Founder & CEO, Mr. Benny F. Benitez, Ms. Catherine Smallwood, Director of Flight Ops / Chief pilot and Mr. Roosevelt Viana, Director of Latin American (Brazil)-(not photographed) linked up with Mr. Ran Meriam (shown above) at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE) to survey F-86H s/n 53-1255 for the possible undertaking upon successful bid and awarding by the City of Fort Lauderdale toward repairing the aircraft.

A veteran of the United States Air Force (USAF), s/n 53-1255 survived 15 years of active flying service only to succumb to damages caused by Hurricane Wilma back in 2005. The 94th ACG is to spearhead a 2009 community project to get this USAF veteran back to its former glory. The 94th ACG is to rally the South Florida aviation community and local aviation schools to assist in this worth wild project and closely work with the City of Fort Lauderdale.

A great deal of appreciation is owed to Mr. Duncan Curtis an F-86 Historian and who run a proper website dedicated to the F-86 (F-86. tripod.com) and who is reachable via (DunxC@aol.com). Through Mr. Ducan the following history of s/n 53-1255 has been noted, its reads as follows:

1. F-86H-10 built as serial number 53-1255 under USAF contract number 203-27, assembled at the North American plant located in Columbus, Ohio.

2. Delivered to the USAF on 25th February 1955

3. Its first active service was with the 474th Fighter Bomber Group based at Clovis A.F.B, New Mexico on 25th February 1955

4. Last active squadron service was with the 104th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) later becoming the 104th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) based out of Martin Field, Maryland with the Maryland Air National Guard (ANG)

In between the above duty assignments, s/n 53-1255 served with the 2584th, 142nd, 138th, 119th and the 177th USAF squadrons. Finally in 1971, the aircraft was donated to the City of Fort Lauderdale were it has been on display since.