Mighty 8th Competitors

Collecting flying warbirds for half a century, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is the largest flying museum in the world. The CAF is a nonprofit aviation association dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance by maintaining a flying museum of classic military aircraft. The CAF has more than 12,000 members and its fleet of 162 historic aircraft is distributed to 73 units located in 24 states for care and operation. These units, comprised of CAF members and volunteers, restore and operate the planes which are viewed by more than 10 million spectators annually. More than just a collection of flyable warbirds, the Commemorative Air Force’s fleet of historic aircraft, known as the “Ghost Squadron,” recreate, remind and reinforce the lessons learned from the defining moments in American military aviation history. The demands of aerial combat drove the great technological advances in aviation that occurred during and after World War II. Many different types of aircraft were developed, often designed for very specific missions. Members engage with the mission to protect these rare flying monuments to freedom. They keep them in flying condition, repair, rebuild and pilot these unique assets. Future generations will benefit from the CAF’s preservation efforts, educational programs, museum exhibits and airshows.

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force preserves for all Americans the stories of courage, character, and patriotism embodied by the men of the 8th Air Force from WWII to the present. The Museum treasures and teaches these values through positive Character Education. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) and is dependent on grants and contributions from loyal supporters.

A non-profit educational foundation devoted to the preservation and promotion of civil and military transportation technology.