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Commemorative Air Force

April 09, 2023

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF), formerly known as the Confederate Air Force,[1] is an American non-profit organization based in Dallas, Texas, that preserves and shows historical aircraft at airshows, primarily in the U.S. and Canada.

Commemorative Air Force
AbbreviationCAF
Formation1961 (1961)
Location
Coordinates32°40′38″N 96°51′39″W / 32.677229°N 96.860801°W / 32.677229; -96.860801Coordinates: 32°40′38″N 96°51′39″W / 32.677229°N 96.860801°W / 32.677229; -96.860801
Membership
13,000
Websitecommemorativeairforce.org
Formerly called
Confederate Air Force

The CAF has about 13,000 members, over 70 units, and over 170 aircraft,[2] including the world's largest collection of airworthy warbirds.[3]

History

The origin of the Commemorative Air Force is the organization called the "Confederate Air Corps" created by Oscar Harper in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1953.[4] Led by the fictional character "Thaddeus P. Throckmorton" and his recruiting officer "Jethro Culpepper", the CAC established several features that later became key characteristics of the CAF: folksy, tongue-in-cheek southern humor; a membership structure based on each member having the equal rank of colonel; and a rallying cry of "Semper, Mint Julep" ("Always Mint Julep").

 
The P-51D "Red Nose" was the first airplane of the CAF.

In 1957, Lloyd Nolen and four friends purchased a P-51 Mustang, each sharing in the $1,500 cost of the aircraft.[5][6] With the purchase of the Mustang, known as "Red Nose", the group that became the CAF was unofficially founded.[6] In 1958, the group made their second purchase of two Grumman F8F Bearcats[6] for $805 each. Along with the P-51, this gave the pilots the two most-advanced piston-engine fighters to see service with the U.S. Army Air Forces and the United States Navy.

In 1960, the CAF began to seriously search for other World War II aircraft. The CAF colonels were shocked to find that the aircraft which played such a major role in winning World War II were being rapidly and systematically scrapped as obsolete with no efforts, not even by the Air Force or Navy, to preserve any for display for future generations. The warbirds that remained airworthy were mostly in private hands modified for air racing or had been converted for commercial use as air freighters and aerial firefighters.

On September 6, 1961, the CAF was chartered as a nonprofit Texas corporation to restore and preserve World War II-era combat aircraft.[7] By the end of the year, there were nine aircraft in the CAF fleet. By 1963, the group had achieved their initial goal of acquiring one of each American World War II fighter plane.[6] Their first airshow was held on March 10, 1963.[8]

 
The CAF added the B-29 FIFI in the 1970s.

In 1965, the first museum building was completed at old Rebel Field, Mercedes, Texas. The CAF created a new Rebel Field at Harlingen, Texas when they moved there in 1968,[6] occupying three large buildings including 26,000 square feet (2,400 m2) of museum space. The CAF fleet continued to grow. By the end of the decade, the CAF fleet included medium and heavy bombers such as the North American B-25 Mitchell, B-17, Consolidated B-24 Liberator. In 1971, they added one of the two airworthy Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, FIFI.

In 1976, the CAF sponsored an air show where a B-29 bomber piloted by Paul Tibbets, the pilot who flew the B-29 which bombed Hiroshima during World War II, reenacted the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (including a mock mushroom cloud). This air show prompted the Japanese government to lodge a formal complaint with the United States Embassy, resulting in the U.S. government issuing an apology.[9]

In 1983, the American Airpower Heritage Foundation was founded to financially support the CAF.[6]

The group's accomplishments were recognized in 1989 when it became a National Aviation Hall of Fame Spirit of Flight Award winner.[10] It was also honored that year when Texas Governor William Clements signed a resolution naming the CAF the air force of Texas.[6]

In 1990, the CAF added two more corporations.[6] The first was the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, tasked with obtaining and maintaining the CAF's aircraft titles. The second was the American Airpower Heritage Museum, which acquired and maintained the CAF's non-aircraft pieces and static displays.[6]

 
The CAF C-47 That's All, Brother was the plane that led the main airborne invasion of Normandy during D-Day.

1991 saw the CAF moving operations to Midland, Texas.[7] Once in Midland, the group opened its museum facilities as the CAF Airpower Museum and the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame.

In April 2014, the CAF announced the move of their headquarters and all of the planes associated with the headquarters to Dallas Executive Airport in Dallas, Texas.[7][11][12] The museum and its artifacts (including the nose art collection) were moved to the new headquarters in Dallas,[13] where it operates as the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center (NAEC).

In 2015, the CAF acquired the C-47 That's All, Brother, the plane that led the main airborne invasion of Normandy during D-Day.[14][15]

Accidents and incidents

On September 28, 1995, a Martin B-26 Marauder operated by CAF crashed near Odessa, Texas, killing all five crew members.[16] The NTSB found that the pilot failed to maintain minimum airspeed.[17][18]

On April 14, 2001, the CAF pilot of a Fairchild PT-19A was killed in a crash shortly after takeoff at Midland International Airport; the plane's one passenger survived.[19] The NTSB cited the pilot's "failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall".[20]

On May 14, 2001, both CAF crew members aboard a Vultee BT-13A died in a crash southeast of Odessa, Texas.[21] The NTSB found that the pilot failed to maintain minimum airspeed.[22]

On June 16, 2005, a PT-26 Cornell operated by CAF crashed in Williamson, Georgia, killing both crew members.[17][23] The NTSB found that the pilot "attempted a takeoff with flaps extended."[24]

On November 12, 2022, during the Wings Over Dallas airshow, two planes owned and operated by CAF—a Bell P-63F and the Boeing B-17G Texas Raiders—suffered a mid-air collision resulting in six fatalities.[25]

Membership

Today, the Commemorative Air Force comprises over 12,000 members,[26] including more than seventy regional groups, called wings or detachments, in twenty-seven states and four other countries. Several hundred members actively serve as pilots and flight and/or maintenance crew members committed to preserving American combat aviation heritage. The CAF is an all-volunteer organization, made up of members from all backgrounds. Membership is open to everyone age 18 or older, and cadet membership is available for those over 12 years of age. Although a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt group,[26][27] the CAF has received financial incentives from state and local governments related to its Dallas relocation as well as its time in Midland.[28][29][30][31]

Organization

The American Airpower Heritage Group is the parent organization and is made up of four separate corporations:[32]

  • The Commemorative Air Force, which is the membership association
  • A foundation, which controls the financial assets and endowment
  • A museum, which manages the non-flying artifacts
  • A flying museum, which operates the flying aircraft

Name

The original name, Confederate Air Force, alluding to the Confederate States of America, started as a simple tongue-in-cheek joke, poking fun at the organization's ragtag beginnings. As the collection of warbirds at Central Valley Airport in Mercedes, Texas, started to grow, someone painted the name on the side of the original North American P-51 Mustang Red Nose. The name stuck, and it grew to the point where the airport was renamed Rebel Field, all members were called "colonels" (a tradition which still remains), and it led to the creation of a fictitious leader named Colonel Jethro E. Culpepper. There was even a humorous CAF twist put to the old AVG Flying Tigers World War II "blood chit" that read, "This foreign person has come to China to help in the war effort. Soldiers and civilians, one and all, should rescue, protect, and provide him medical care." The CAF version seen on the backs of flight suits and flight jackets stated, "This is a CAF aviator. If found lost or unconscious, please hide him from Yankees, revive with mint julep and assist him in returning to friendly territory. CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE."

 
T-6 Texan converted to resemble a Mitsubishi A6M Zero as flown by the Commemorative Air Force's Tora! Tora! Tora! group

In November 2000, the group voted to rename, using the initials "CAF" until a permanent name was selected.[1] Following a 2001 membership vote, the group changed its name to "Commemorative Air Force", effective January 1, 2002.[6] Many felt the name Confederate Air Force was confusing, did not accurately reflect the purpose of the organization, and was detrimental to fundraising efforts.[33] According to CAF chief of staff Ray Kinney, "In many people's minds, the word 'confederacy' brings up the image of slavery and discrimination. We, in no way, are associated with that kind of stuff. So, it gives us, in a way, a black eye."[34]

Aircraft

 
P-51C Mustang in Tuskegee Airmen markings
 
B-24 "Diamond Lil" from the Commemorative Air Force collection. Airframe was returned to B-24A configuration in 2007.[35]
 
The CAF B-17G Sentimental Journey tours annually from her base at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona.[36]
 
T-6 Texan, named Nella, ready for take-off

As of 2022, the CAF owns 179 aircraft. The entire collection of CAF aircraft is known as the CAF Ghost Squadron.[37] Its aircraft range from the small Stinson L-5 Sentinel and Ryan PT-22 to the giant Boeing B-29 Superfortress; the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress; and the Consolidated Liberator B Mk I/B-24A Liberator AM927. Many of the CAF aircraft are rare - the CAF operates one of only two flying examples of the historic Boeing B-29 Superfortress, and the only remaining flightworthy Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. Others, such as the B-24/LB-30 Liberator; the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero; and the Douglas SBD Dauntless are one of only two or three of that type left flying today. The CAF also operates Axis and Warsaw Pact aircraft such as the MiG 17 Fresco C.

AIRSHO

 
Formation pass during the 2008 CAF AIRSHO

AIRSHO is a yearly event at Midland International Airport showcasing the CAF's aircraft.[8] Because its aircraft tend to be spread out over large geographic distances, and most Ghost Squadron aircraft rarely fly more than a few hours from their home base, AIRSHO is also an opportunity for CAF members to meet up. Ghost Squadron aircraft usually attend AIRSHO every other year. The CAF AIRSHO is the largest warbird air show in the world, with more than eighty warbirds flying per show.[citation needed]

Wings and squadrons

The CAF has many wings and squadrons. Starting in 2013, a limited number of larger units may be designated as an "airbase." The first is Airbase Arizona, located at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona and redesignated in June 2013. Most CAF units are in the United States, but there are three outside the country.

US wings and squadrons

  • Alabama
    • Birmingham — Birmingham Escadrille[41]
  • Alaska
    • Anchorage — Col Hunt Alaska Wing[41]
  • Arkansas
    • Little Rock — Razorback Wing[41]
  • Arizona
  • California
    • Camarillo — Southern California Wing[41]
    • Modesto — Central California Valley Squadron[41]
    • Oakland — Golden Gate Wing[41]
    • Riverside — Inland Empire Wing[41]
    • Sacramento — Sacramento Delta Squadron[41]
    • San Diego — Group One Wing[41]
    • Upland — FM-2 Wildcat Sponsor Group[41]
  • Colorado
  • Florida
    • DeLand — Florida Wing[41]
    • Pensacola — Floribama Wing[41]
    • Shalimar — T-33 Sponsor Group[41]
  • Georgia
    • Peachtree City — Dixie Wing[41]
  • Idaho
    • Caldwell — Idaho Wing[41]
  • Indiana
    • Indianapolis — Indiana Wing[41]
  • Iowa
    • Council Bluffs — Great Plains Wing[41]
  • Kansas
    • Kansas City — Heart of America Wing[41]
    • Wichita — Jayhawk Wing[41]
  • Louisiana
    • New Orleans — Big Easy Wing[41]
  • Minnesota
    • Red Wing — Red Tail Squadron[41]
    • South St. Paul — Minnesota Wing[41]
  • Mississippi
    • Madison — Mississippi Wing[41]
  • Missouri
    • St. Charles — Missouri Wing[41]
  • Montana
    • Bozeman — Big Sky Wing[41]
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas — Nevada Wing[41]
    • Reno — High Sierra Squadron[41]
  • New Jersey
    • Forked River — Delaware Valley Wing[41]
  • New Mexico
    • Albuquerque — Lobo Wing[41]
  • Oklahoma
    • Enid — Lady Liberty Squadron[41]
    • Guymon — Cimmaron Strip Wing[41]
    • Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Wing[41]
    • Oklahoma City — Sierra Hotel Sponsor Group[41]
    • Tulsa — Spirit of Tulsa Squadron[41]
  • South Dakota
    • Sioux Falls — Joe Foss Squadron[41]
  • Tennessee
    • Memphis — Delta Blues Squadron/Memphis Squadron[41]
  • Texas
    • Aransas Pass — Maxine Flourney 3rd Coast Squadron[41]
    • Brownsville — Rio Grande Valley Wing[41]
    • Burnet — Highland Lakes Squadron[41]
    • Conroe — Gulf Coast Wing[41]
    • Corsicana — Coyote Squadron[41]
    • Dallas — P-40 Sponsor Group[41]
    • Dallas — Redbird Squadron[41]
    • Dallas — Training Detachment One[41]
    • Dallas — WASP Squadron[41]
    • Fort Worth — B-29/B-24 Squadron[41]
    • Fort Worth — Invader Squadron[41]
    • Gainesville — Ground Forces Detachment[41]
    • Georgetown — Devil Dog Squadron[41]
    • Graham — Cactus Squadron[41]
    • Houston — Houston Wing[41]
    • Lancaster — Dallas/Fort Worth Wing[41]
    • Marshall — Lone Star Wing[41]
    • Midland — Blastards Detachment[41]
    • Midland — High Sky Wing[41]
    • Midland — West Texas Wing[41]
    • Odessa — Desert Squadron[41]
    • Pearland — Tora Sponsor Group[41]
    • San Antonio — Tex Hill Wing[41]
    • San Marcos — Centex Wing[41]
  • Utah
  • Virginia
    • Franklin — Old Dominion Squadron[41]
    • Culpeper — Capital Wing[41]
  • Washington
    • Everett — Rainier Squadron[41]
  • Wisconsin
    • Janesville — Tri-State CAF Wing[42]
    • Superior — Lake Superior Squadron[41]
    • Waukesha — Wisconsin Wing[41]
  • National units
    • EOD Detachment[41]
    • Marshalling Detachment[41]
    • Security Detachment[41]

International wings and squadrons

  • France
    • Saint-Ange-le-Viel — French Wing[41]
  • New Zealand
    • Auckland — New Zealand Wing[41]
  • Switzerland
    • Olten — Swiss Wing[41]

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Confederate Air Force may rename". Associated Press. November 18, 2000. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  2. ^ "OUR HISTORY & MISSION". Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "MEMBERSHIP". Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  4. ^ Chicago Tribune, February 1, 1956, page 6
  5. ^ "CAF History." Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: April 3, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Leatherwood, Art. "COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c Associated Press (April 29, 2014). "Commemorative Air Force Moving Headquarters to Dallas". NBC. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "AIRSHO". Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Apologizes to Japan for Show That Re‐enacted Hiroshima Attack". The New York Times. October 15, 1976. p. 10. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  10. ^ . National Aviation Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  11. ^ Collins, Mike (April 29, 2014). "CAF headquarters moving to Dallas Executive". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  12. ^ Gillett, Bud (April 29, 2014). "The Commemorative Air Force Relocates To Oak Cliff". CBS. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  13. ^ Rist, Matthew (December 11, 2014). "CAF Announces Plans to Move Equipment, Museum Artifacts to Dallas". CBS. Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  14. ^ Bergqvist, Pia. "Return to the Front Line". Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  15. ^ "Mission: Normandy". Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  16. ^ Frye, Cathy (September 29, 1995). "Vintage craft's luck runs out on eve of show". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. p. 1. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b "Investigation underway over midair crash at Dallas air show". Boston.com. AP. November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: FTW95FA406". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. August 20, 1996. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  19. ^ "Authorities continue investigation of plane crash that killed Midland man". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. April 17, 2001. p. 1B. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: FTW01FA100". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. April 18, 2003. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  21. ^ Freeman, Scott (May 15, 2001). "Two die in plane crash". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. p. 1. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: FTW01FA117". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. August 26, 2002. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  23. ^ Lee, David J. (June 17, 2005). "CAF mourns members lost in Georgia plane crash". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. p. 1. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: ATL05FA098". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. January 31, 2006. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  25. ^ Otero, LM; Bleed, Jill (November 13, 2022). "6 killed after vintage aircraft collide at Dallas air show". Boston.com. AP. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "New Director of Operations for the CAF". Warbirds News. June 22, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  27. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  28. ^ "Texas State Auditor's Office - Summary of Report 15-013".
  29. ^ Vanderlaan, Jon (February 17, 2015). "Commemorative Air Force Loses State Money". Odessa American. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  30. ^ Appleton, Roy (November 3, 2014). "Dallas council panel backs incentives for Commemorative Air Force". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  31. ^ Appleton, Roy (November 12, 2014). "Dallas City Council approves relocation grant to Commemorative Air Force". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  32. ^ "Dallas Executive Airport: Past, Present and Future" (PDF). City of Dallas. Economic Development Committee. November 3, 2014.
  33. ^ "CAF News 2001 Press Release." September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: August 14, 2007.
  34. ^ . Amarillo.com. AP. December 8, 2001. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  35. ^ "CAF "Diamond Lil" back to B-24A configuration." September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: August 14, 2007.
  36. ^ Boeing B-17G "Flying Fortress" May 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  37. ^ "CAF Facts and Information." July 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: July 22, 2007.
  38. ^ . Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  39. ^ Wood, Keith, Flying the Ghost - SBD Dauntless April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, December 2009, pp.11-14
  40. ^ North American L-17 Navion April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Accessdate:4 April 2014
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw "CAF Unit Map". Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  42. ^ "TRI-STATE CAF WING JANESVILLE, WI". Retrieved July 10, 2020.

Bibliography

  • Hillinger, Charles (November 2, 1979). "Air Force With Time Machines". Los Angeles Times. pp. 1–2. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  • Ogden, Bob. Aviation Museums & Collections of North America. London: Air-Britain, 2007. ISBN 0-85130-385-4.

External links

  •   Media related to Commemorative Air Force at Wikimedia Commons
  • Commemorative Air Force official site
  • Aerial Visuals Search Commemorative Air Force
  • AirNav, FlightAware - Old Reb Airport information

April 09, 2023
commemorative, force, formerly, known, confederate, force, american, profit, organization, based, dallas, texas, that, preserves, shows, historical, aircraft, airshows, primarily, canada, abbreviationcafformation1961, 1961, locationdallas, texascoordinates32, . The Commemorative Air Force CAF formerly known as the Confederate Air Force 1 is an American non profit organization based in Dallas Texas that preserves and shows historical aircraft at airshows primarily in the U S and Canada Commemorative Air ForceAbbreviationCAFFormation1961 1961 LocationDallas TexasCoordinates32 40 38 N 96 51 39 W 32 677229 N 96 860801 W 32 677229 96 860801 Coordinates 32 40 38 N 96 51 39 W 32 677229 N 96 860801 W 32 677229 96 860801Membership13 000Websitecommemorativeairforce wbr orgFormerly calledConfederate Air ForceThe CAF has about 13 000 members over 70 units and over 170 aircraft 2 including the world s largest collection of airworthy warbirds 3 Contents 1 History 1 1 Accidents and incidents 2 Membership 3 Organization 4 Name 5 Aircraft 6 AIRSHO 7 Wings and squadrons 7 1 US wings and squadrons 7 2 International wings and squadrons 8 References 8 1 Notes 8 2 Bibliography 9 External linksHistory EditThe origin of the Commemorative Air Force is the organization called the Confederate Air Corps created by Oscar Harper in Montgomery Alabama in 1953 4 Led by the fictional character Thaddeus P Throckmorton and his recruiting officer Jethro Culpepper the CAC established several features that later became key characteristics of the CAF folksy tongue in cheek southern humor a membership structure based on each member having the equal rank of colonel and a rallying cry of Semper Mint Julep Always Mint Julep The P 51D Red Nose was the first airplane of the CAF In 1957 Lloyd Nolen and four friends purchased a P 51 Mustang each sharing in the 1 500 cost of the aircraft 5 6 With the purchase of the Mustang known as Red Nose the group that became the CAF was unofficially founded 6 In 1958 the group made their second purchase of two Grumman F8F Bearcats 6 for 805 each Along with the P 51 this gave the pilots the two most advanced piston engine fighters to see service with the U S Army Air Forces and the United States Navy In 1960 the CAF began to seriously search for other World War II aircraft The CAF colonels were shocked to find that the aircraft which played such a major role in winning World War II were being rapidly and systematically scrapped as obsolete with no efforts not even by the Air Force or Navy to preserve any for display for future generations The warbirds that remained airworthy were mostly in private hands modified for air racing or had been converted for commercial use as air freighters and aerial firefighters On September 6 1961 the CAF was chartered as a nonprofit Texas corporation to restore and preserve World War II era combat aircraft 7 By the end of the year there were nine aircraft in the CAF fleet By 1963 the group had achieved their initial goal of acquiring one of each American World War II fighter plane 6 Their first airshow was held on March 10 1963 8 The CAF added the B 29 FIFI in the 1970s In 1965 the first museum building was completed at old Rebel Field Mercedes Texas The CAF created a new Rebel Field at Harlingen Texas when they moved there in 1968 6 occupying three large buildings including 26 000 square feet 2 400 m2 of museum space The CAF fleet continued to grow By the end of the decade the CAF fleet included medium and heavy bombers such as the North American B 25 Mitchell B 17 Consolidated B 24 Liberator In 1971 they added one of the two airworthy Boeing B 29 Superfortresses FIFI In 1976 the CAF sponsored an air show where a B 29 bomber piloted by Paul Tibbets the pilot who flew the B 29 which bombed Hiroshima during World War II reenacted the atomic bombing of Hiroshima including a mock mushroom cloud This air show prompted the Japanese government to lodge a formal complaint with the United States Embassy resulting in the U S government issuing an apology 9 In 1983 the American Airpower Heritage Foundation was founded to financially support the CAF 6 The group s accomplishments were recognized in 1989 when it became a National Aviation Hall of Fame Spirit of Flight Award winner 10 It was also honored that year when Texas Governor William Clements signed a resolution naming the CAF the air force of Texas 6 In 1990 the CAF added two more corporations 6 The first was the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum tasked with obtaining and maintaining the CAF s aircraft titles The second was the American Airpower Heritage Museum which acquired and maintained the CAF s non aircraft pieces and static displays 6 The CAF C 47 That s All Brother was the plane that led the main airborne invasion of Normandy during D Day 1991 saw the CAF moving operations to Midland Texas 7 Once in Midland the group opened its museum facilities as the CAF Airpower Museum and the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame In April 2014 the CAF announced the move of their headquarters and all of the planes associated with the headquarters to Dallas Executive Airport in Dallas Texas 7 11 12 The museum and its artifacts including the nose art collection were moved to the new headquarters in Dallas 13 where it operates as the Henry B Tippie National Aviation Education Center NAEC In 2015 the CAF acquired the C 47 That s All Brother the plane that led the main airborne invasion of Normandy during D Day 14 15 Accidents and incidents Edit On September 28 1995 a Martin B 26 Marauder operated by CAF crashed near Odessa Texas killing all five crew members 16 The NTSB found that the pilot failed to maintain minimum airspeed 17 18 On April 14 2001 the CAF pilot of a Fairchild PT 19A was killed in a crash shortly after takeoff at Midland International Airport the plane s one passenger survived 19 The NTSB cited the pilot s failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall 20 On May 14 2001 both CAF crew members aboard a Vultee BT 13A died in a crash southeast of Odessa Texas 21 The NTSB found that the pilot failed to maintain minimum airspeed 22 On June 16 2005 a PT 26 Cornell operated by CAF crashed in Williamson Georgia killing both crew members 17 23 The NTSB found that the pilot attempted a takeoff with flaps extended 24 On November 12 2022 during the Wings Over Dallas airshow two planes owned and operated by CAF a Bell P 63F and the Boeing B 17G Texas Raiders suffered a mid air collision resulting in six fatalities 25 Membership EditToday the Commemorative Air Force comprises over 12 000 members 26 including more than seventy regional groups called wings or detachments in twenty seven states and four other countries Several hundred members actively serve as pilots and flight and or maintenance crew members committed to preserving American combat aviation heritage The CAF is an all volunteer organization made up of members from all backgrounds Membership is open to everyone age 18 or older and cadet membership is available for those over 12 years of age Although a 501 c 3 nonprofit tax exempt group 26 27 the CAF has received financial incentives from state and local governments related to its Dallas relocation as well as its time in Midland 28 29 30 31 Organization EditThe American Airpower Heritage Group is the parent organization and is made up of four separate corporations 32 The Commemorative Air Force which is the membership association A foundation which controls the financial assets and endowment A museum which manages the non flying artifacts A flying museum which operates the flying aircraftName EditThe original name Confederate Air Force alluding to the Confederate States of America started as a simple tongue in cheek joke poking fun at the organization s ragtag beginnings As the collection of warbirds at Central Valley Airport in Mercedes Texas started to grow someone painted the name on the side of the original North American P 51 Mustang Red Nose The name stuck and it grew to the point where the airport was renamed Rebel Field all members were called colonels a tradition which still remains and it led to the creation of a fictitious leader named Colonel Jethro E Culpepper There was even a humorous CAF twist put to the old AVG Flying Tigers World War II blood chit that read This foreign person has come to China to help in the war effort Soldiers and civilians one and all should rescue protect and provide him medical care The CAF version seen on the backs of flight suits and flight jackets stated This is a CAF aviator If found lost or unconscious please hide him from Yankees revive with mint julep and assist him in returning to friendly territory CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE T 6 Texan converted to resemble a Mitsubishi A6M Zero as flown by the Commemorative Air Force s Tora Tora Tora group In November 2000 the group voted to rename using the initials CAF until a permanent name was selected 1 Following a 2001 membership vote the group changed its name to Commemorative Air Force effective January 1 2002 6 Many felt the name Confederate Air Force was confusing did not accurately reflect the purpose of the organization and was detrimental to fundraising efforts 33 According to CAF chief of staff Ray Kinney In many people s minds the word confederacy brings up the image of slavery and discrimination We in no way are associated with that kind of stuff So it gives us in a way a black eye 34 Aircraft Edit P 51C Mustang in Tuskegee Airmen markings B 24 Diamond Lil from the Commemorative Air Force collection Airframe was returned to B 24A configuration in 2007 35 The CAF B 17G Sentimental Journey tours annually from her base at Falcon Field in Mesa Arizona 36 T 6 Texan named Nella ready for take off As of 2022 update the CAF owns 179 aircraft The entire collection of CAF aircraft is known as the CAF Ghost Squadron 37 Its aircraft range from the small Stinson L 5 Sentinel and Ryan PT 22 to the giant Boeing B 29 Superfortress the Boeing B 17 Flying Fortress and the Consolidated Liberator B Mk I B 24A Liberator AM927 Many of the CAF aircraft are rare the CAF operates one of only two flying examples of the historic Boeing B 29 Superfortress and the only remaining flightworthy Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Others such as the B 24 LB 30 Liberator the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero and the Douglas SBD Dauntless are one of only two or three of that type left flying today The CAF also operates Axis and Warsaw Pact aircraft such as the MiG 17 Fresco C Aeronca L 3E Defender LIL Show Me Aeronca L 16A Airbase Arizona Aichi D3A Val dive bomber replica North American SNJ conversion Beechcraft 18 C 45 SNB JRB Beech AT 11 Kansan Beechcraft D 18S A 235 Airbase Arizona Beechcraft UC 45J Navigator 51242 Central Texas Wing Beech T 34A Mentor A 45 Bell P 39Q Airacobra 42 19597 Central Texas Wing Bell P 63 Bell P 63A 6 BE Kingcobra 42 68941 Airbase Georgia Boeing Stearman PT 17 Kaydet USN N2S Stearman N2S 4 c n 75 4894 Airbase Arizona Stearman N2S c n 75 8291 Utah Wing 38 Boeing B 17 Flying Fortress Boeing B 17G Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey 44 83514 Airbase Arizona Boeing B 29 Superfortress Fifi 44 62070 CASA 352L Spanish built Junkers Ju 52 German bomber transport Cessna UC 94 C 165 Airmaster Cessna UC 78 Bobcat RCAF Crane 1632 Wright Stuff Squadron Cessna UC 78B Bobcat 43 32578 Jayhawk Wing Consolidated B 24A LB 30 Liberator I C 87 40 2366 Diamond Lil ex RAF AM927 Consolidated PBY 6A Catalina BuNo 64092 Lake Superior Squadron Consolidated PBY 6A Catalina BuNo 64097 Lake Superior Squadron Curtiss C 46F 1 CU Commando China Doll 44 78663 Southern California Wing Curtiss P 40 Warhawk Kittyhawk and Tomahawk Curtiss P 40N Warhawk c n 29629 ex RCAF 867 Curtiss SB2C 5 Helldiver BuNo 83589 Cactus Squadron West Texas Wing De Havilland DH 94 Moth Minor c n N94DH Rio Grande Valley Wing de Havilland Canada DHC 1 Chipmunk Douglas A 26 B 26 Invader Douglas A 26B 35DL Invader Spirit of Waco 41 39427 CAF Invader Squadron Douglas A 26C 40DT Invader Daisy Mae 44 35643 Sierra Hotel A 26 Group Douglas A 26C Invader Lady Liberty 41 39230 Lady Liberty Squadron Douglas B 23 Dragon on display at CAF Headquarters Douglas DC 3 C 47 C 53 R4D Douglas C 47B Skytrain The Black Sparrow 44 77013 USN R4D 7 Great Lakes Wing Douglas C 47 Skytrain That s All Brother 42 92847 Texas Wing Douglas C 53D DO DC 3A Skytrooper D Day Doll 42 68830 Inland Empire Wing Douglas R4D 6 C 47J Skytrain Ready 4 Duty BuNo 50783 Dallas Fort Worth Wing Douglas SBD 5 Dauntless BuNo 54532 39 ERCO Ercoupe Fairchild PT 19 PT 23 and PT 26 Fairchild PT 19A Southern California Wing Fairchild PT 19A 42 83435 Birmingham Escadrille Fairchild PT 23A HO 42 49250 Southern California Wing Fairchild PT 26 Wisconsin Wing Fairchild Cornell 42 65935 Highland Lakes Squadron Fairchild UC 61 Argus Forwarder Fairchild F 12R46 Argus Southern California Wing Fairchild F 12R Argus High Sky Wing painted as J2K Fleet 16B Finch c n 383 Rio Grande Valley Wing Focke Wulf Fw 44J Stieglitz RF GJ Rio Grande Valley Wing Goodyear FG 1D Corsair 530 BuNo 92468 CAF Corsair Sponsor Group Airbase Georgia Grumman AF 2S Guardian BuNo 126731 Airbase Arizona Grumman Avenger Grumman General Motors TBM 3E Avenger BuNo 53353 Missouri Wing Grumman General Motors TBM 3S Avenger BuNo 53503 Rocky Mountain Wing Grumman General Motors TBM 3S Avenger BuNo 91426 National Capital Squadron Grumman General Motors FM 2 Wildcat BuNo 86819 Airbase Arizona Grumman F6F 5 Hellcat Minsi III Southern California Wing Grumman F8F 2 Bearcat BuNo 122674 Southern California Wing Grumman S 2B Tracker BuNo 136404 Old Dominion Squadron status unknown crashed 2007 Hawker Sea Fury FB 10 c n 41H 696792 ex Royal Navy WJ288 Memphis Squadron Interstate L 6 Grasshopper Lockheed C 60 Lodestar Lockheed Model 18 50 Lodestar c n 18 2274 Hampton Roads Virginia painted as 255884 Lockheed C 60 Lodestar Goodtime Gal 42 56005 c n 18 2478 Houston Wing Lockheed PV 2 Harpoon Lockheed T 33 Shooting Star McDonnell Douglas F 4N Phantom II BuNo 153016 Airbase Arizona Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun German liaison trainer Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 15UTI 012 Airbase Arizona Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 15bis 4415 Airbase Arizona Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 17 Airbase Arizona Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21PF Fishbed D 507 Airbase Arizona Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 22 Zero Japanese carrier fighter Southern California Wing Mitsubishi Zero fighter replica North American Harvard conversion Morane Saulnier MS 502 painted as Fieseler Fi 156 Storch s n 361 Delaware Valley Wing Nakajima B5N Kate torpedo bomber replica Vultee BT 13 Valiant conversion Naval Aircraft Factory N3N 3 West Houston Squadron Naval Aircraft Factory N3N 3 N4009A High Sierra Squadron North American AT 6 Texan USN SNJ RAF Harvard various models North American Harvard II c n 81 4099 Inland Empire Wing North American SNJ 4 Texan c n 88 13041 Buffalo Heritage Squadron North American SNJ 4 Texan c n 88 13517 Highland Lakes Squadron North American SNJ 4 Texan c n 88 10177 Southern California Wing North American SNJ 5 Texan c n 88 16676 42 84895 BuNo 84865 Southern California Wing North American SNJ 5 Texan BuNo 90725 Airbase Arizona North American SNJ 6 Texan BuNo 112180 Minnesota Wing North American B 25 Mitchell North American B 25J 5NC Yellow Rose 43 27868 Central Texas Wing North American B 25J 10NC Maid in the Shade 43 35972 Airbase Arizona North American B 25J 20NC Miss Mitchell 44 29869 Minnesota Wing North American PBJ 1J 30NC Semper Fi 44 30988 Southern California Wing North American B 25J 30NC Show Me 44 31385 Missouri Wing North American B 25J 32NC Devil Dog 44 86758 Devil Dog Squadron North American NA 64 Yale painted as BT 14 North American P 51 Mustang North American P 51C 10NT Mustang Tuskegee Airmen 42 103645 Red Tail Squadron North American P 51D 25 NA Mustang Man O War 44 72739 Southern California Wing North American P 51D 25 NA Mustang Red Nose 44 73843 Airbase Georgia North American T 28 Trojan Piper L 4F Republic P 47N 5RE Thunderbolt 44 88548 Airbase Georgia under restoration Ryan PT 22 Recruit Ryan PT 22 Recruit 41 1902 Minnesota Wing Ryan L 17 Navion Ryan Navion A N444AC Highland Lakes Squadron 40 Sikorsky UH 19D 2 Sl Chickasaw 54 1416 helicopter Schweizer TG 3A training glider Airbase Arizona Stinson AT 19 Reliant Royal Navy Carolinas Wing Stinson 108 World War II Civil Air Patrol Stinson L 5 Sentinel USN Marines OY Stinson L 5E 1VW OY 2 Sentinel Carin Belle 44 18143 BuNo 04013 Ohio Valley Wing Stinson L 5 Sentinel c n 76 0272 Dallas Fort Worth Wing Stinson L 5 Sentinel Frozen Assets 42 98667 Minnesota Wing Stinson L 9B Reliant Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk XIVe NH749 Southern California Wing Taylorcraft L 2 Vultee BT 13 BT 15 SNV Vultee BT 13A 41 11538 Minnesota Wing Vultee BT 13A Valiant Vultee BT 13A 41 21178 Gulf Coast Wing Yakovlev Yak 3UA Southern California WingAIRSHO Edit Formation pass during the 2008 CAF AIRSHO AIRSHO is a yearly event at Midland International Airport showcasing the CAF s aircraft 8 Because its aircraft tend to be spread out over large geographic distances and most Ghost Squadron aircraft rarely fly more than a few hours from their home base AIRSHO is also an opportunity for CAF members to meet up Ghost Squadron aircraft usually attend AIRSHO every other year The CAF AIRSHO is the largest warbird air show in the world with more than eighty warbirds flying per show citation needed Wings and squadrons EditThe CAF has many wings and squadrons Starting in 2013 a limited number of larger units may be designated as an airbase The first is Airbase Arizona located at Falcon Field in Mesa Arizona and redesignated in June 2013 Most CAF units are in the United States but there are three outside the country US wings and squadrons Edit Alabama Birmingham Birmingham Escadrille 41 Alaska Anchorage Col Hunt Alaska Wing 41 Arkansas Little Rock Razorback Wing 41 Arizona Mesa Airbase Arizona at Falcon Field 41 California Camarillo Southern California Wing 41 Modesto Central California Valley Squadron 41 Oakland Golden Gate Wing 41 Riverside Inland Empire Wing 41 Sacramento Sacramento Delta Squadron 41 San Diego Group One Wing 41 Upland FM 2 Wildcat Sponsor Group 41 Colorado Broomfield Mile High Wing 41 Grand Junction Rocky Mountain Wing 41 Florida DeLand Florida Wing 41 Pensacola Floribama Wing 41 Shalimar T 33 Sponsor Group 41 Georgia Peachtree City Dixie Wing 41 Idaho Caldwell Idaho Wing 41 Indiana Indianapolis Indiana Wing 41 Iowa Council Bluffs Great Plains Wing 41 Kansas Kansas City Heart of America Wing 41 Wichita Jayhawk Wing 41 Louisiana New Orleans Big Easy Wing 41 Minnesota Red Wing Red Tail Squadron 41 South St Paul Minnesota Wing 41 Mississippi Madison Mississippi Wing 41 Missouri St Charles Missouri Wing 41 Montana Bozeman Big Sky Wing 41 Nevada Las Vegas Nevada Wing 41 Reno High Sierra Squadron 41 New Jersey Forked River Delaware Valley Wing 41 New Mexico Albuquerque Lobo Wing 41 Oklahoma Enid Lady Liberty Squadron 41 Guymon Cimmaron Strip Wing 41 Oklahoma City Oklahoma Wing 41 Oklahoma City Sierra Hotel Sponsor Group 41 Tulsa Spirit of Tulsa Squadron 41 South Dakota Sioux Falls Joe Foss Squadron 41 Tennessee Memphis Delta Blues Squadron Memphis Squadron 41 Texas Aransas Pass Maxine Flourney 3rd Coast Squadron 41 Brownsville Rio Grande Valley Wing 41 Burnet Highland Lakes Squadron 41 Conroe Gulf Coast Wing 41 Corsicana Coyote Squadron 41 Dallas P 40 Sponsor Group 41 Dallas Redbird Squadron 41 Dallas Training Detachment One 41 Dallas WASP Squadron 41 Fort Worth B 29 B 24 Squadron 41 Fort Worth Invader Squadron 41 Gainesville Ground Forces Detachment 41 Georgetown Devil Dog Squadron 41 Graham Cactus Squadron 41 Houston Houston Wing 41 Lancaster Dallas Fort Worth Wing 41 Marshall Lone Star Wing 41 Midland Blastards Detachment 41 Midland High Sky Wing 41 Midland West Texas Wing 41 Odessa Desert Squadron 41 Pearland Tora Sponsor Group 41 San Antonio Tex Hill Wing 41 San Marcos Centex Wing 41 Utah Heber Utah Wing 41 Virginia Franklin Old Dominion Squadron 41 Culpeper Capital Wing 41 Washington Everett Rainier Squadron 41 Wisconsin Janesville Tri State CAF Wing 42 Superior Lake Superior Squadron 41 Waukesha Wisconsin Wing 41 National units EOD Detachment 41 Marshalling Detachment 41 Security Detachment 41 International wings and squadrons Edit France Saint Ange le Viel French Wing 41 New Zealand Auckland New Zealand Wing 41 Switzerland Olten Swiss Wing 41 References EditNotes Edit a b Confederate Air Force may rename Associated Press November 18 2000 Retrieved March 17 2020 OUR HISTORY amp MISSION Commemorative Air Force Retrieved July 11 2020 MEMBERSHIP Commemorative Air Force Retrieved July 11 2020 Chicago Tribune February 1 1956 page 6 CAF History Commemorative Air Force Retrieved April 3 2011 a b c d e f g h i j Leatherwood Art COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE Texas State Historical Association Retrieved June 30 2015 a b c Associated Press April 29 2014 Commemorative Air Force Moving Headquarters to Dallas NBC Retrieved June 30 2015 a b AIRSHO Commemorative Air Force Retrieved June 30 2015 U S Apologizes to Japan for Show That Re enacted Hiroshima Attack The New York Times October 15 1976 p 10 Retrieved March 14 2019 Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award National Aviation Hall of Fame Archived from the original on July 1 2015 Retrieved June 30 2015 Collins Mike April 29 2014 CAF headquarters moving to Dallas Executive Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Retrieved June 30 2015 Gillett Bud April 29 2014 The Commemorative Air Force Relocates To Oak Cliff CBS Retrieved June 30 2015 Rist Matthew December 11 2014 CAF Announces Plans to Move Equipment Museum Artifacts to Dallas CBS Archived from the original on December 28 2014 Retrieved June 30 2015 Bergqvist Pia Return to the Front Line Retrieved July 5 2020 Mission Normandy Retrieved July 5 2020 Frye Cathy September 29 1995 Vintage craft s luck runs out on eve of show Odessa American Odessa Texas p 1 Retrieved November 13 2022 via newspapers com a b Investigation underway over midair crash at Dallas air show Boston com AP November 13 2022 Retrieved November 13 2022 Aviation Investigation Final Report FTW95FA406 NTSB gov National Transportation Safety Board August 20 1996 Retrieved November 13 2022 Authorities continue investigation of plane crash that killed Midland man Odessa American Odessa Texas April 17 2001 p 1B Retrieved November 13 2022 via newspapers com Aviation Investigation Final Report FTW01FA100 NTSB gov National Transportation Safety Board April 18 2003 Retrieved November 13 2022 Freeman Scott May 15 2001 Two die in plane crash Odessa American Odessa Texas p 1 Retrieved November 13 2022 via newspapers com Aviation Investigation Final Report FTW01FA117 NTSB gov National Transportation Safety Board August 26 2002 Retrieved November 13 2022 Lee David J June 17 2005 CAF mourns members lost in Georgia plane crash Odessa American Odessa Texas p 1 Retrieved November 13 2022 via newspapers com Aviation Investigation Final Report ATL05FA098 NTSB gov National Transportation Safety Board January 31 2006 Retrieved November 13 2022 Otero LM Bleed Jill November 13 2022 6 killed after vintage aircraft collide at Dallas air show Boston com AP Retrieved November 13 2022 a b New Director of Operations for the CAF Warbirds News June 22 2015 Retrieved June 30 2015 CAF IRS 501c3 letter pdf PDF Archived from the original PDF on September 23 2015 Retrieved June 30 2015 Texas State Auditor s Office Summary of Report 15 013 Vanderlaan Jon February 17 2015 Commemorative Air Force Loses State Money Odessa American Retrieved October 24 2016 Appleton Roy November 3 2014 Dallas council panel backs incentives for Commemorative Air Force The Dallas Morning News Retrieved October 24 2016 Appleton Roy November 12 2014 Dallas City Council approves relocation grant to Commemorative Air Force The Dallas Morning News Retrieved October 24 2016 Dallas Executive Airport Past Present and Future PDF City of Dallas Economic Development Committee November 3 2014 CAF News 2001 Press Release Archived September 27 2007 at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force Retrieved August 14 2007 Confederate Air Force adopts another name Amarillo com AP December 8 2001 Archived from the original on November 6 2016 Retrieved August 18 2020 CAF Diamond Lil back to B 24A configuration Archived September 29 2007 at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force Retrieved August 14 2007 Boeing B 17G Flying Fortress Archived May 12 2009 at the Wayback Machine CAF Facts and Information Archived July 3 2007 at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force Retrieved July 22 2007 CAF Stearman Commemorative Air Force Utah Wing Archived from the original on March 12 2017 Retrieved December 15 2016 Wood Keith Flying the Ghost SBD Dauntless Archived April 7 2014 at the Wayback Machine December 2009 pp 11 14 North American L 17 Navion Archived April 7 2014 at the Wayback Machine Accessdate 4 April 2014 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw CAF Unit Map Commemorative Air Force Retrieved May 27 2019 TRI STATE CAF WING JANESVILLE WI Retrieved July 10 2020 Bibliography Edit Hillinger Charles November 2 1979 Air Force With Time Machines Los Angeles Times pp 1 2 Retrieved May 11 2022 Ogden Bob Aviation Museums amp Collections of North America London Air Britain 2007 ISBN 0 85130 385 4 External links Edit Media related to Commemorative Air Force at Wikimedia Commons Commemorative Air Force official site Aerial Visuals Search Commemorative Air Force AirNav FlightAware Old Reb Airport information Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Commemorative Air Force amp oldid 1140782080, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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