Commemorative Air Force
AbbreviationCAF
Formation1961 (1961)
Location
Coordinates32°40′38″N 96°51′39″W / 32.67722°N 96.86083°W / 32.67722; -96.86083
Membership
13,000
Websitecommemorativeairforce.org
Formerly called
Confederate Air Force

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.

The CAF has about 13,000 members, more than 70 chapters, and more than 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 called "Red Nose", splitting the $1,500 cost.[5][6] In 1958, the group made their second purchase: two Grumman F8F Bearcats[6] for $805 each. Along with the P-51, this gave the pilots two of the 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, the CAF owned nine aircraft. By 1963, the group had achieved their initial goal of acquiring one of each fighter plane operated by U.S. forces during World War II .[6] They held their first airshow 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, and moved there in 1968,[6] occupying three large buildings including 26,000 square feet (2,400 m2) of museum space. By the end of the decade, the CAF fleet had added medium and heavy bombers such as the North American B-25 Mitchell, B-17, Consolidated B-24 Liberator. In 1971, they bought 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 with a National Aviation Hall of Fame Spirit of Flight Award.[10] That year, Texas Governor William Clements signed a resolution designating the CAF the air force of Texas.[6]

In 1990, the CAF added two 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] In September 1990, CAF joined a statewide anti-littering campaign (Don't Mess With Texas), filming a low-level, high-speed pass of the B-17 Sentimental Journey on a mock bombing run of a highway-littering pickup truck, as part of a 30-second television spot.[11]

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

In 1991, the CAF moved operations to Midland, Texas,[7] where the group opened 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][12][13] The museum and its artifacts (including the nose art collection) were moved to the new headquarters,[14] which 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.[15][16]

Accidents and incidents

On September 28, 1995, a Martin B-26 Marauder operated by CAF crashed near Odessa, Texas, killing all five crew members.[17] The NTSB found that the pilot failed to maintain minimum airspeed.[18][19]

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.[20] The NTSB cited the pilot's "failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall".[21]

On May 14, 2001, both CAF crew members aboard a Vultee BT-13A died in a crash southeast of Odessa, Texas.[22] The NTSB found that the pilot failed to maintain minimum airspeed.[23]

On June 16, 2005, a PT-26 Cornell operated by CAF crashed in Williamson, Georgia, killing both crew members.[18][24] The NTSB found that the pilot "attempted a takeoff with flaps extended."[25]

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 that killed six people.[26]

Membership

As of 2020, the Commemorative Air Force had more than 13,000 members,[2] in more than 70 regional groups, called wings or detachments, in 27 states and five countries.[27] 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,[27][28] the CAF has received financial incentives from state and local governments to move to Dallas and operate in Midland.[29][30][31][32]

Organization

The American Airpower Heritage Group is the parent organization and is made up of four corporations:[33]

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

Name

The original name, Confederate Air Force, alluding to the Confederate States of America, started as a joke about the organization's ragtag beginnings. As the collection of warbirds at Central Valley Airport in Mercedes, Texas, started to grow, one member 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. A blood chit written 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.[34] 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."[35]

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.[36]
The CAF B-17G Sentimental Journey tours annually from her base at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona.[37]
T-6 Texan, named Nella, ready for take-off

As of 2022, the CAF owns 179 aircraft, a collection known as the CAF Ghost Squadron.[38] 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 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.

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[42]
    • Tanner – Rocket City Wing[42]
  • Alaska
    • Anchorage – Col Hunt Alaska Wing[42]
  • Arkansas
    • Little Rock – Razorback Wing[42]
  • Arizona
  • California
    • Camarillo – Southern California Wing[42]
    • Modesto – Central California Valley Squadron[42]
    • Oakland – Golden Gate Wing[42]
    • Riverside – Inland Empire Wing[42]
    • Sacramento – Sacramento Delta Squadron[42]
    • San Diego – Group One Wing[42]
    • Upland – FM-2 Wildcat Sponsor Group[42]
  • Colorado
  • Florida
    • DeLand – Florida Wing[42]
    • Lakeland – Tampa Bay Wing[42]
    • Pensacola – Floribama Wing[42]
    • Shalimar – T-33 Sponsor Group[42]
  • Georgia
    • Peachtree City – Airbase Georgia[42]
  • Idaho
    • Caldwell – Idaho Wing[42]
  • Indiana
    • Indianapolis – Indiana Wing[42]
  • Iowa
    • Council Bluffs – Great Plains Wing[42]
  • Kansas
    • Kansas City – Heart of America Wing[42]
    • Wichita – Jayhawk Wing[42]
  • Louisiana
    • Hammond – Bayou State Escadrille[42]
    • New Orleans – Big Easy Wing[42]
  • Minnesota
    • Red Wing – Red Tail Squadron[42]
    • South St. Paul – Minnesota Wing[42]
  • Mississippi
    • Madison – Mississippi Wing[42]
  • Missouri
    • St. Charles – Missouri Wing[42]
  • Montana
    • Bozeman – Big Sky Wing[42]
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas – Nevada Wing[42]
    • Reno – High Sierra Squadron[42]
  • New Hampshire
    • North Hampton – New England Wing[42]
  • New Jersey
    • Forked River – Delaware Valley Wing[42]
  • New Mexico
    • Albuquerque – Lobo Wing[42]
  • Ohio
    • Marysville – Buckeye Wing[42]
  • Oklahoma
    • Enid – Lady Liberty Squadron[42]
    • Guymon – Cimmaron Strip Wing[42]
    • Oklahoma City – Oklahoma Wing[42]
    • Oklahoma City – Sierra Hotel Sponsor Group[42]
    • Tulsa – Spirit of Tulsa Squadron[42]
  • South Dakota
    • Sioux Falls – Joe Foss Squadron[42]
  • Tennessee
    • Lebanon – Music City Wing[42]
    • Memphis – Delta Blues Squadron/Memphis Squadron[42]
  • Texas
    • Aransas Pass – Maxine Flourney 3rd Coast Squadron[42]
    • Brownsville – Rio Grande Valley Wing[42]
    • Burnet – Highland Lakes Squadron[42]
    • Conroe – Gulf Coast Wing[42]
    • Corsicana – Coyote Squadron[42]
    • Dallas – P-40 Sponsor Group[42]
    • Dallas – Redbird Squadron[42]
    • Dallas – Training Detachment One[42]
    • Dallas – WASP Squadron[42]
    • Dallas – B-29/B-24 Squadron[42]
    • Fort Worth – Bucket of Bolts Sponsor Group[42]
    • Fort Worth – Invader Squadron[42]
    • Gainesville – Ground Forces Detachment[42]
    • Georgetown – Devil Dog Squadron[42]
    • Graham – Cactus Squadron[42]
    • Granbury – Comanche Peak Sponsor Group[42]
    • Houston – Houston Wing[42]
    • Lancaster – Dallas/Fort Worth Wing[42]
    • Marshall – Lone Star Wing[42]
    • Midland – Blastards Detachment[42]
    • Midland – High Sky Wing[42]
    • Midland – West Texas Wing[42]
    • Odessa – Desert Squadron[42]
    • Pearland – Tora Sponsor Group[42]
    • San Antonio – Tex Hill Wing[42]
    • San Marcos – Centex Wing[42]
  • Utah
  • Virginia
    • Franklin – Old Dominion Squadron[42]
    • Culpeper – Capital Wing[42]
  • Washington
    • Everett – Rainier Squadron[42]
    • Richland – Day's Pay[42]
  • Wisconsin
    • Janesville – Tri-State CAF Wing[43]
    • Superior – Lake Superior Squadron[42]
    • Waukesha – Wisconsin Wing[42]
  • National units
    • EOD Detachment[42]
    • Marshalling Detachment[42]
    • Security Detachment[42]

International wings and squadrons

  • France
    • Saint-Ange-le-Viel — French Wing[42]
  • New Zealand
    • Auckland — New Zealand Wing[42]
  • Switzerland
    • Olten — Swiss Wing[42]

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Confederate Air Force may rename". Associated Press. November 18, 2000. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "OUR HISTORY & MISSION". Commemorative Air Force. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  3. ↑ "MEMBERSHIP". Commemorative Air Force. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  4. ↑ Chicago Tribune, February 1, 1956, page 6
  5. ↑ "CAF History." Archived July 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: April 3, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Leatherwood, Art. "COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE". Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 Associated Press (April 29, 2014). "Commemorative Air Force Moving Headquarters to Dallas". NBC. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "AIRSHO". Commemorative Air Force. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. 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. Archived from the original on July 9, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award". National Aviation Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  11. ↑ Walton, Bill (March 2, 2020). "WATCH: You Don't Mess With Texas or a B-17G Flying Fortress". Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  12. ↑ Collins, Mike (April 29, 2014). "CAF headquarters moving to Dallas Executive". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  13. ↑ Gillett, Bud (April 29, 2014). "The Commemorative Air Force Relocates To Oak Cliff". CBS. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ Bergqvist, Pia. "Return to the Front Line". Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Mission: Normandy". Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  17. ↑ Frye, Cathy (September 29, 1995). "Vintage craft's luck runs out on eve of show". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. p. 1. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  18. 1 2 "Investigation underway over midair crash at Dallas air show". Boston.com. AP. November 13, 2022. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: FTW95FA406". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. August 20, 1996. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Authorities continue investigation of plane crash that killed Midland man". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. April 17, 2001. p. 1B. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: FTW01FA100". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. April 18, 2003. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  22. ↑ Freeman, Scott (May 15, 2001). "Two die in plane crash". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. p. 1. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: FTW01FA117". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. August 26, 2002. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  24. ↑ Lee, David J. (June 17, 2005). "CAF mourns members lost in Georgia plane crash". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: ATL05FA098". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. January 31, 2006. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  26. ↑ Otero, LM; Bleed, Jill (November 13, 2022). "6 killed after vintage aircraft collide at Dallas air show". Boston.com. AP. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  27. 1 2 "New Director of Operations for the CAF". Warbirds News. June 22, 2015. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  28. ↑ "CAF_IRS_501c3_letter.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Texas State Auditor's Office - Summary of Report 15-013". Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  30. ↑ Vanderlaan, Jon (February 17, 2015). "Commemorative Air Force Loses State Money". Odessa American. Archived from the original on April 15, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  31. ↑ Appleton, Roy (November 3, 2014). "Dallas council panel backs incentives for Commemorative Air Force". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  32. ↑ Appleton, Roy (November 12, 2014). "Dallas City Council approves relocation grant to Commemorative Air Force". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Dallas Executive Airport: Past, Present and Future" (PDF). City of Dallas. Economic Development Committee. November 3, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  34. ↑ "CAF News 2001 Press Release." Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: August 14, 2007.
  35. ↑ "Confederate Air Force adopts another name". Amarillo.com. AP. December 8, 2001. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  36. ↑ "CAF "Diamond Lil" back to B-24A configuration." Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: August 14, 2007.
  37. ↑ Boeing B-17G "Flying Fortress" Archived May 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  38. ↑ "CAF Facts and Information." Archived July 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: July 22, 2007.
  39. ↑ "CAF Stearman - Commemorative Air Force - Utah Wing". Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  40. ↑ Wood, Keith, Flying the Ghost - SBD Dauntless Archived April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, December 2009, pp.11-14
  41. ↑ North American L-17 Navion Archived April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Accessdate:4 April 2014
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 "CAF Unit Map". Commemorative Air Force. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  43. ↑ "TRI-STATE CAF WING JANESVILLE, WI". Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.

Bibliography

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