Quintana
C. Ben Quintana is the Louisiana State President for the Air Force Association with two chapters, Chapter 159, which serves the Barksdale Air Force Base area, and Chapter 156, which is located in Baton Rouge and focuses on the Air Force units in south Louisiana, primarily the ROTC Detachment at LSU.
Quintana is a retired Air Force B-52 radar navigator with combat experience in Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He is currently a lead military analyst in the 8th Air Force, setting up joint exercises around the world for the 8th Air Force units.
He is the president of Quintana Global Solutions, LLC.
He and his wife have a 23-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter.
The Air Force Association is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization, which promotes a dominant United Stairs Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor airmen and Air Force heritage.
Their purpose is to educate the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security. They also advocate for aerospace power and STEM education as well as support the total Air Force family and promote aerospace education.
AFA activities include publishing the Air Force Magazine, the Journal of the Air Force Association, cyber patriot, a national youth cyber education program focused on inspiring students to pursue careers in STEM, Wounded Airman Program, Air Force Memorial, Mitchell Institute and a daily report.
Local AFA activities include Ace of Aces, a program to educate elementary school children about the Air Force. To date, they have had more than 25,000 graduates of the simulator-based program at Barksdale Air Force Base. They also have recognition programs for the Air Force, Teacher of the Year, Wounded Airmen Program supplements and the AFA Global Strike Breakfast Series.
The Minden Lions Club meets on Thursdays at the American Legion Hall on Pine Street.