June 18 event

AFA Air Commandos Lunch Recap – Maj. Lee Cohen Shares His Honor Flight Experience

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On Wednesday, June 18, the Palm Springs Chapter of the Air Force Association hosted Maj. Lee Cohen, USAF (Ret.) as our featured speaker at our Air Commandos Luncheon at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

Maj. Cohen shared stories from his recent journey with Honor Flight Southland Mission 18, a trip to Washington, D.C., with fellow veterans. The Honor Flight experience included visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery—culminating in an emotional “Welcome Home” reception at LAX.

For Maj. Cohen, a veteran of 119½ combat missions in Vietnam, this trip served as both tribute and healing. For those in attendance, his presentation offered insight into what the Honor Flight means to veterans.

One of the touching moments shared was how each veteran received a bag filled with handmade cards and letters from local schoolchildren—many expressing gratitude, drawing American flags, and writing simple but powerful messages like “Thank you for your service.”

About Honor Flight
The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization that honors America’s veterans by providing free trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service. The program focuses on veterans from WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Honor Flight Southland, which coordinated Maj. Cohen’s flight, serves veterans from across Southern California and relies on volunteers and donations to make each mission possible. From airport send-offs to school letters, the experience is designed to give these veterans the tribute they never received.

Thank you to Maj. Lee Cohen for sharing this journey and for his decades of service to the United States Air Force.

For more information or to get involved, visit:
https://www.honorflightsouthland.org

AFA Air Commandos Lunch – Maj. Lee Cohen’s Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

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Join Us – AFA Air Commandos Lunch: Major Lee Cohen’s Honor Flight

On Wednesday, June 18, we welcome Maj. Lee Cohen, USAF (Ret.), for a special AFA Air Commandos luncheon at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert. He’ll be sharing highlights from his recent Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where veterans visited memorials in their honor and experienced a long-overdue welcome home.

Maj. Cohen’s story is one of service, sacrifice, and reflection—from the Vietnam War and Red River Rat sorties to being recognized decades later during this moving tribute to veterans.

Date: Wednesday, June 18
Location: ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook St., Palm Desert, CA
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
No RSVP required

There is no event charge—just pay for your own food and beverage.

This is a unique chance to hear a veteran’s powerful journey from combat missions to an Honor Flight homecoming. All are welcome—bring a friend or fellow aviation enthusiast.

June 18 AFA Air Commandos Lunch – Maj. Lee Cohen’s Vietnam Combat Missions and More

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PLEASE NOTE CORRECTION… WEDNESDAY JUNE 18TH THANK YOU

Join us for the next AFA Air Commandos Luncheon on Wednesday, June 18, featuring Maj. Lee Cohen, USAF (Ret.), as he recounts his extraordinary experiences during the Vietnam air war—including Red River Rat sorties and missions supporting Operation Rolling Thunder.

This is a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from a combat-proven Electronic Warfare Officer who flew 119½ missions over North Vietnam and served across the Cold War and Southeast Asia theaters.

Highlights of Maj. Cohen’s service:

  • Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Enlisted in the Air Force in 1957 while still in high school
  • Began as an Airborne Radio Operator on C-119s
  • Took and passed the U.S. Air Force Academy exams at Offutt AFB
  • Trained as an Aviation Cadet and graduated Navigator Flight School (Harlingen, TX, 1958–59)
  • Completed Electronic Warfare School at Keesler AFB, Mississippi in 1960
  • Served at Stewart AFB (1960–63), then Elmendorf AFB in Alaska with the 317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
  • Deployed to Southeast Asia during 1966–67, flying from Takhli, Korat, Udorn, and Ubon in Thailand

Aircraft flown: A1E, EB-57, EB-66, F-102, F-105, T-33
Combat operations: Operation Rolling Thunder, Red River Rat sorties

Post-Vietnam assignments:

  • After 119½ combat missions, returned to the U.S.
  • Assigned to Norton AFB, CA (MAC, “Wing EWO”)
  • Served at McGuire AFB, NJ (MAC, 21st EWO)
  • Participated in operations supporting the return of U.S. POWs from Vietnam
  • Completed training, operations, and planning roles until retirement
  • Decorations: Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and nine Air Medals

Maj. Cohen retired from the Air Force in June 1978 with the rank of Major.

Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Location: ROC’s Firehouse Grille 36891 Cook St., Palm Desert CA
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
No RSVP required and no event charge other than your own food and beverage.

Come hear this remarkable veteran share a story of duty, danger, and dedication. All are welcome—bring a friend or a fellow aviation enthusiast.