To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, volunteers from the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) are honoring 423 British servicemen who were killed while training in the U.S. during World War II and remain buried on American soil.
Commemorative Air Force
Commemorative Air Force aircraft to lead Victory Tour
Ready 4 Duty’s 12-week, 12,000-mile Navy to Victory Tour, which runs from April through July, includes appearances at over a dozen aviation and ceremonial events across the southern and eastern U.S., Iceland, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands.
Putting the fun in fundraising
On Oct. 25, 2024, the Sheltair FBO at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (KBJC) in Broomfield, Colorado, hosted a “pinup” photo shoot for area pilots, as well as anyone else who wanted to join the costumed fun.
Open House will commemorate 80th anniversary of D-Day
Sights and sounds of the 1944 Allied invasion of Europe will be recreated at the CAF Airbase Georgia Summer Open House June 22, 2024, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
Picture of the Day: Chasing shadows
Cheryl Goodwin submitted this photo with a note: “On final for Runway 26 at Joslin Field/Magic Valley Regional Airport (KTWTF) in Twin Falls, Idaho, in the Commemorative Air Force’s fabulous B-17 ‘Sentimental Journey’ during her Flying Legends of Victory Summer tour 2023.”
Restored Tuskegee Airmen PT-19 returns to the skies
“This historic aircraft, originally used to train Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, had flown for Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia for many years, but the leadership team decided it was time to take it apart and inspect, restore, and repaint it,” said Airbase Leader Joel Perkins.
The 12 Planes of Christmas
Pilots can pick their favorite aircraft among the 12 and donate exclusively to that project or donate directly to the organization’s Restoration Grant Fund, a dollar-for-dollar match program created to help aircraft projects with the most need get back into the air faster, CAF officials explain.
Commemorative Air Force soars to new heights with Pinto jet
The jet has been assigned to a newly established Super Pinto Sponsor Group, which will be based at the CAF hangar in Memphis. Group members noted the aircraft will divide its time between Memphis, Pensacola, and Dallas. The group also hopes to be able to start offering living history flights in the Pinto in 2024.
Picture of the Day: Winter maintenance
John Schmidt submitted this photo and note: “Commemorative Air Force members Ron Bombeck, crew chief Dan Bombeck, and pilot Jeff Knutson inspect the Pratt and Whitney R-985 on the nose of the Minnesota Wing’s Oshkosh-award-winning BT-13 in the hangar at South St. Paul Airport (KSGS). Winter maintenance has begun, and it’s an excellent time to see the warbirds, with inspection panels off, as crews of volunteers prepare the airplanes for another air show season.”