The Commemorative Air Force Southern California Air Wing Camarillo is proud to announce our first-ever scholarship for teens and young adults to help their aviation dreams take flight. The scholarship application is now open! The CAFSOCAL is accepting applications thru Dec 16th, 2024.
Visit the Scholarship Program page – Click Here!
Due to the Mountain Fire and its significant impact on Camarillo and nearby communities, the CAF Southern California Wing at Camarillo Airport is postponing the “Shot Down” presentation initially scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2024.
While we were looking forward to sharing this WWII-themed event, the circumstances demanded our focus elsewhere.
We are working with the guest speaker to reschedule “Shot Down” soon, so please check our website and social media for updates.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this emergency.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to having you at our next presentation.
Thank you for coming out for the career day!
More info can be found here: VC99s.org
What: Aviation Career Day for Ventura County High School and Middle School Students
When: 9:00 to 1:00 on Friday, October 18, 2024
Where: Commemorative Air Force Museum – Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, CA
Why: An event for High School and Middle School students to learn about various aviation careers available in this growing industry. Students will have the opportunity to speak to aviation and aerospace industry professionals, military professionals & recruiters, pilots, aviation schools, drone professionals, aerospace engineers, and more. Many different types of aircraft will be on display and there will also be hands on activities.
Highlights: Make Garbage Fly Contest with a twist: Students bring their glider made from recycled materials and compete for prizes. See updated rules here: www.facebook.com/vcaviationcareerday
Drone Cage with hands on flying
Fly Overs with vintage WWII Aircraft. Demonstrations of the VC Fire Airport Crash & Rescue Truck
More Hands On Exhibits and Fun Things to Do and See
Check out this video of a previous Career Day made by the CAF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCDTJyr3pwQ&feature=youtu.be
Hosts: Ventura County 99s, Commemorative Air Force SoCal Wing, California Aeronautical University, EAA Chapter 723, CP Aviation, Ventura County Department of Airports, and Ventura County Career Education Center
More info can be found here: VC99s.org
Thank you for coming out to see our presentation honoring the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf and about one of the most important aircraft of the related air battles, the F6F Hellcat, and the highest scoring Navy ace of WWII, David McCampbell.
The largest naval battle of World War II and by some criteria the largest naval battle in history. The carrier-based fighter with the highest kill ratio of any aircraft, ever. Third overall and the top scoring naval ace of WWII. Sounds like the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On Saturday October 26th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will conduct a presentation commemorating the 80th anniversary of this historic engagement. The discussion will include the four major components of the larger battle and the air war that raged over the surface actions, a dive into the magnificent Grumman F6F Hellcat and the role it played in the battle, and a look at the intense Pacific Theater combat experiences of David McCampbell, Commander of Air Group-15 aboard the USS Essex during this momentous clash of titans.
Thank you for your help to “Keep ’em Flying!”
B-29 Doc History Restored Tour to Land in Camarillo, CA in October
Thank you for coming out to join us and see this amazing and historic aircraft – Doc did not disappoint!
Here’s Doc on approach: https://youtube.com/shorts/cjOvz2P4dLU
And here is Doc after engine start: https://youtube.com/shorts/9906PHqMoY4?feature=share
B-29 Doc, one of 1,644 B-29 Superfortress aircraft built by the Boeing Company in Wichita, KS, during World War II, is one of only two remaining B-29 aircraft still airworthy and flying today. The historic warbird will be available for ground and cockpit tours, as well as B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides while in Camarillo.
“Camarillo has a rich history of World War II and Cold War-era aviation that contributed greatly to the defense of our nation,” said Josh Wells, B-29 Doc executive director. “That history is kept alive by the CAF Southern California Wing thanks to the dedication of its members, who keep a collection of 14 WWII-era aircraft alive to showcase the history of our nation and honor those who fought to defend freedom at home and abroad. That’s what the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour is all about: Honor. Educate. Connect. Bringing B-29 Doc to Camarillo to partner with the CAF SoCal mission means furthering our joint-ability to keep history alive and flying for generations to come by giving people a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with history.”
For more information, visit: https://www.b29doc.com/b-29-do
For more information about the CAF SoCal Wing, visit: www.cafsocal.com
On the web: www.b29doc.com and www.cafsocal.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/B29DocsFriends
Thank you for coming out to see our presentation with Retired Navy Captain Brett Crozier. The video replay is below.
Retired Navy Captain Brett Crozier graduated from the United States Naval Academy and embarked on a thirty-year career in the Navy, flying dozens of combat missions over Iraq and leading at the highest levels of operational command. He served as the Commanding Officer of a combat F/A-18 strike fighter squadron and ultimately commanded the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt before retiring from the Navy in 2022. On Saturday September 14th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host Captain Crozier as he takes us on the grand adventures of his extraordinary career and introduces the incredible people he met along the way. Copies if his book “Surf When You Can” will be available. The event will conclude, weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, with CAF SoCal conducting a ride flight in their PBJ. Come hear Captain Brett Crozier share his inspiring lessons from a lifetime of honor, service, and leadership.
Thank you for your support to Keep ’em Flying!
Thank you for coming out to support the Wings Over Camarillo Airshow effort and the Commemorative Air Force – we really appreciate you!
Check back for highlights coming soon.
Thank you all who came out to see this amazing presentation – check back for the video replay coming soon.
Though still a young man, Oil Payne has had a long and fascinating journey through aviation. Now a Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force, Oli’s journey has landed him as the UK F-35 Test Lead, managing and supervising UK F-35 test activities at Edwards AFB. On Saturday July 6th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host Squadron Leader Payne as he chronicles his distinctive adventures in flight, culminating with a few tales of the F-35. Come hear about RAF Squadron Leader Oli Payne’s captivating ride through aviation to the pinnacle of high performance military aircraft.
Thank You – your support helps us “Keep ’em Flying”
This upcoming June 6th marks the 80th anniversary of one of the most pivotal events in military history, D-Day, the amphibious invasion of German-occupied Northwest France in June 1944. On Saturday June 8th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host an event commemorating this historic event and the Marine Corps’ PBJ Mitchell, North American’s workhorse twin-engine medium bomber. We’ll have an exciting presentation for you and on display a diverse array of D-Day relevant aircraft, vehicles, and reenactors including the Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, C-47 Skytrain, Dodge Power Wagon, M-113 APC, a WWII Jeep, and paratroopers. And we’ll conclude the event, weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, by flying the PBJ for you. Come hear about the assault that pierced Hitler’s Fortress Europe and see a few examples of the men and machines that made it happen.
11am to 2pm at the museum – $15.00 per person donation requested.
Thank you for your ongoing support to help “Keep ’em flying”
Independent filmmaker, director, and producer George Retelas was close to his grandfather. After his grandfather’s passing George found his WWII journal and its contents inspired and launched George on a journey to connect with his grandfather’s wartime comrades. On Saturday May 11th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host George as he gives us a behind the scenes look at the making of his reflective documentaries, splicing together pieces of his film “Eleven,” a story about Hellcat-equipped Air Group 11 told by eleven surviving Air Group 11 veterans, and his current project that includes the heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of a daughter and a teddy bear. Come hear George’s fascinating journey to connect to those involved in a titanic struggle 80 years ago and the closure he helped uncover for the family of a fallen warrior.
11am to 2pm at the museum – $15.00 per person donation requested.
Thank you for your ongoing support to help “Keep ’em flying”
