News

Presentation: Zero First Flight – April 27, 2024 11am

First Flight / Zero Presentation, April 27, 2024

April 1st, 1939, Kagamigahara Air Base outside Nagoya, Japan, the first Mitsubishi A6M1 prototype takes to the air with test pilot Katsuzo Shima at the controls. The test flight goes well, with only a slight tendency to vibrate noted, corrected by changing from a two-bladed variable-pitch propeller to a three-bladed constant speed Hamilton-Standard propeller license built under agreement with the US company. Mid-1943, the Solomons, enter the US P-38 Lightning and the Vought F4U Corsair, and things start going south. In between, the Zero rules!

On Saturday April 27th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport conducted a presentation remembering the 85th anniversary of that first flight of the Zero. Thank you to all who came out to hear about the legendary start and subsequent painful ending of the iconic Imperial Japanese Navy’s A6M Type 00 fighter.

Video replay coming soon, please check back often – Thank you! Your support helps “Keep ’em flying!”

2024-04-29T19:34:50-07:00March 9th, 2024|News|
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Presentation: The U2 Spy Pilot, March 16

Spy Pilot / U-2 Presentation, March 16, 2024

Thank you for coming out to see our recent presentation.

The son of famed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers presents the facts and dispels misinformation about the Cold War espionage program that turned his father into a Cold War icon, having been shot down in a U-2 spy plane over the Soviet Union in May 1960. On his return to the United States, Powers was exonerated of any wrongdoing while imprisoned in Russia, yet a cloud of controversy lingered until his untimely death in 1977. On Saturday March 16th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport is hosting the son, Francis Gary Powers Jr., who has written a new account of Powers’ life, delving into old audio tapes, letters his father wrote and received while imprisoned in the Soviet Union, the transcript of his father’s debriefing by the CIA, other recently declassified documents about the U-2 program, and interviews with the spy pilot’s contemporaries. Come hear about this and the son’s journey to understand his father, pursuing justice and a measure of peace. Almost sixty years after the fact, this is a fascinating piece of Cold War history.

We are working on the video replay, but for now please check out his website at: http://garypowers.com/

2024-04-04T19:18:47-07:00January 23rd, 2024|News|
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Presentation: Vietnam Stories with Dan Petkunas Video Replay

Video Replay: Vietnam Presentation, February 24, 2024

 

Over the course of his twenty-four-year military career, Lt Col Dan Petkunas has received three Distinguished Flying Crosses and eighteen Air Medals. He is a veteran F-4 Phantom Weapons Systems officer with over 200 combat missions in Vietnam. On Saturday February 24th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport hosted Dan for one of his entertaining talks.  In his presentation Dan described the F-4 Phantom and some of his stories from the Vietnam War. He educates and entertains, eliciting audience laughs from his life-threatening situations.  Here is the video replay for your enjoyment:

 

 

2024-03-09T12:58:25-07:00January 3rd, 2024|News|
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Presentation – Charlie Plumb Video Replay

Charlie Plumb Presentation – Video Replay

Vietnam vet, fighter pilot, POW.  Now one of the most sought-after achievement speakers of his time, Charlie Plumb’s presentations are as he is: sincere, straightforward, humorous, and tailored to motivate each specific audience he encounters.  On Saturday December 9th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport hosted Charlie for one of his riveting talks.  His insights on how to cope with the difficulties as well as the opportunities in life have a positive impact on those who hear his message, those who read his books, and those who come to know him as a friend.  Thank yo for coming out to hear him speak.

Please enjoy the video replay.

2023-12-14T21:06:45-07:00November 24th, 2023|News|
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Presentation Video Replay – The Utilities Unsung Heroes

Utilities Presentation, Video Replay

 

Unsung heroes.  Behind the scenes, unheralded workhorses that played just as pivotal a role in the outcome of World War II as the front-line fighters and bombers.  On Saturday November 4th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport hosted an event focused on three of these noteworthy toilers, the Fairchild F-24 Argus, the North American L-17 Navion, and the Alon YO-55 Aircoupe.  The presentation covered notable aspects and history of these aircraft, remarkable in their own right, and their impact on the war effort.  

Enjoy the replay here:

 

2023-11-24T21:30:14-07:00October 4th, 2023|News|
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C-47 Visit Sept 27 to Oct 1

CAFSoCal to hosted the historic aircraft C-47 Skytrain “that’s all, brother” – Thank you for coming out!

 

 

 

Check back soon for pictures and maybe a video!

 

About the C-47A That’s All, Brother
That’s All, Brother was the C-47A troop carrier aircraft that led the Airborne Invasion on D-Day,
June 6, 1944, carrying 101st Airborne Division paratroopers into France during the D-Day invasion.
The aircraft was named “That’s All, Brother” by the aircrew, who felt it was a fitting message to

Adolf Hitler. Following D-Day, That’s All, Brother” served in Operation Dragoon, Operation Market
Garden, the Relief of Bastogne, and Operation Varsity. After the War, the aircraft was sold as
surplus, and its contribution to history was almost forgotten. In 2015, the Commemorative Air
Force rescued the aircraft from a boneyard, completed a lengthy restoration to get it flying, and
returned it to its World War II configuration. In June 2019, the aircraft returned to England and
France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day (flying over Omaha Beach on June 6, 2019).
The aircraft plans to return to Europe for the 80 th anniversary of D-Day commemorations in June
2024. Visit www.thatsallbrother.org to purchase flights and for more detailed information.
  
About the Commemorative Air Force (CAF):
Through more than six decades of collecting and flying World War II aircraft, with a fleet of over
170 World War II airplanes, the CAF has become the world’s largest flying museum. The aircraft are
assigned to unit locations across the U.S. and are maintained and supported by over 19,000
volunteer members. Nearly all CAF aircraft are kept in flying condition, enabling people to
experience firsthand the sights and sounds of vintage military aircraft in flight. The CAF's mission is
to Educate, Inspire, and Honor through flight and living history experiences. To learn more about
the organization, visit www.CommemorativeAirForce.org.

About the CAF Southern California Wing:
The CAF Southern California Wing is a volunteer organization with members from many different
backgrounds. The wing is dedicated to preserving the history of WWII aircraft for generations to
come. This CAF location is assigned 15 authentic military aircraft maintained and operated by
volunteers. In addition to flying aircraft, the wing has a wide-ranging collection of World War II
artifacts displayed in a Hangar Museum. Current museum opening hours are Friday and Saturday,
10 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday, 12 PM to 4 PM. They are closed on Monday through Thursday and
some holidays. The newly expanded wing, at over 55,000 square feet, includes three hangar
complexes to house their museum, flying aircraft, warbird restorations, and gift shop. The museum
also offers venue rentals. The CAF Southern California Wing is located at the Camarillo Airport at
455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010. Their website is www.CAFSoCal.com, and their phone
number is (805) 482-0064.

2023-10-04T21:09:09-07:00September 13th, 2023|News|
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Primary Trainers Presentation, July 22, 2023 Replay

Primary Trainers Presentation, July 22, 2023 – REPLAY

 

Airpower came into its own as a force of military power in World War II … and proved pivotal. Tens of thousands of young men got their wings and led the charge in what would become an overwhelming force.  How’d the Western Allies do it? On Saturday July 22nd the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will conducted a presentation about the Primary Training program and the Primary Trainer Aircraft that helped set the foundation for Victory. Here is the replay of that presentation.

2023-09-09T12:53:33-07:00June 22nd, 2023|News|
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CONTACT

Hours: Now Open Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 4pm, and Sundays 12pm to 4pm.

Phone – (805) 482-0064

Public Information Officers – Pat Brown & Lucien Pillai (805) 300-4580
455 Aviation Drive Camarillo, CA 93010
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