November 11th, 2025.
On this day we will honor our Veterans, past and present. We thank them for their service and we will not forget their sacrifices and patriotism. Please come visit our museum, and meet our volunteer docents, many who have served in our armed forces. We look forward to seeing you.
During World War II, American manufacturers produced massive amounts of material and supplies for the U.S. military and our allies. The Lionel toy train company started producing items for warships. Ford Motor Company produced B-24 bombers. Packard built Merlin engines. On Saturday November 8th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will conduct a presentation on American mass production in support of the war effort, focusing on building and staffing the massive factories that would produce war-winning equipment. Weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, CAF SoCal will fly one of their warbirds for you.
CAF SoCal’s iconic, flyable aircraft will also be on display, like the venerable Supermarine Spitfire, the agile Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and the Zero’s nemesis the F6F Hellcat. For the adventurous, rides for hire will be available in several different vintage military aircraft. Light snacks will also be on hand for those wishing a quick bite.
So, mark your calendars to hear logistics expert John Lowe give us insights into how America became the WWII Arsenal of Democracy.. Saturday November 8th, 11:00am at the Commemorative Air Force museum at the Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, California. For more information visit the CAF website at cafsocal.com. Experience living history.
Sentimental Journey, a Douglas B-17G Flying Fortress will be visiting our museum from September 22nd through September 29th. You will have an opportunity to see this beautiful historical aircraft up close, and they will also offer rides. Sentimental Journey is one of only 3 B-17s in the world still flying today.
Pricing:
$475 USD per waist compartment seat (6 available)
$850 USD per Bombardier/Navigator Seat(2 available)
* Limited availability, book today to guarantee your once in a lifetime experience.
During this special event our museum will be open as follows:
Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM:
Friday through Sunday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM:
Museum Admission: (includes a ground tour)
$20 per person
$35 for a family of 4
NO charge for paid riders and their family. (Friday – Sunday only)
IMPORTANT: If you purchased a ride on the B-17, please arrive one (1) hour before your scheduled flight time.
Flight times: 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
In 2018, the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport began a comprehensive ground-up restoration on its Grumman F8F Bearcat. Stalled due to COVID, the restoration team resumed the project in 2021. The group is meticulously restoring this aircraft to ensure it meets historical accuracy and airworthiness standards. Now, in the critical phase of reassembly and painting, they are nearing the end of their restoration project. On Saturday, September 13th, CAF SoCal will conduct a presentation updating attendees on the progress of the intensive restoration and the road to returning the Bearcat to airshows and flyovers, where it has always been a crowd favorite due to its impressive speed, powerful engine noise, and aerobatic maneuvers.
CAF SoCal’s other iconic, flyable aircraft will also be on display, like the venerable Supermarine Spitfire, the agile Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and the Zero’s nemesis, the F6F Hellcat. For the adventurous, rides for hire will be available in several different vintage military aircraft. Light snacks will also be available for those seeking a quick bite.
So, mark your calendars to hear (and see!) the progress of this remarkable restoration in anticipation of soon seeing the Bearcat in flight alongside CAF SoCal’s F6F Hellcat, A6M3 Zero, and PBJ (B-25) Mitchell, a breathtaking tribute to Naval aviation history.
This event will take place on Saturday, September 13th, 2025, starting at 11:00 AM at the Commemorative Air Force aviation museum located at the Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, California. Come and experience living history firsthand!
A suggested donation of $15 per adult will be requested at the door. Thank you for supporting our nonprofit museum.
Author Rich Martindell, a former Air Force fighter pilot, transitioned to “fly” MQ-9 Reaper drones, and captured in his book Game of Drones, his experiences and impressions along the way. The Wing hosted Rich, who compared his experiences of flying the F-4 and F-15 in the Air Force with flying the MQ-9 on military missions as a civilian contract pilot. Rich addressed the differences between flying manned and unmanned aircraft in military operations as well as the reasons drone operators can suffer PTSD when flying from the safe confines of a control van miles out of harm’s way. Watch the entire presentation by clicking on the video link above.
We are happy to host this year’s KHAY FEST!
KHAY FEST returns to Camarillo Airport Saturday April 12th, 2025! Featuring performances by: Justin Moore LOCASH Dillon Carmichael Plus MORE to come! Tickets go on-sale Tuesday February 18th! Join us for a full day of Country Music, Food Trucks, Vendors, Beer Garden, Cornhole, Photo-ops, Kids Activities & HUGE dancefloor with line dancing!
More information can be found here: FEST INFO
Author and speaker Steve Snyder’s father, Howard Snyder, was a B-17 pilot stationed in England during World War II. On February 8, 1944, his plane was Shot Down over the French/Belgium border after a mission to bomb Frankfurt, Germany. On Saturday November 9th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host Steve Snyder, who will reveal the true story of events leading up to and after that harrowing day. Of the B-17’s ten-man crew, some died, some ended up in prison camps, and some evaded capture. The event will conclude, weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, with CAF SoCal flying their T6 Texan SNJ “290” for you. Join us to hear author Steve Snyder take us through the travails of the B-17 Susan Ruth, Shot Down.
February 1945, one of only 957 production Mk XIVs is delivered to number 33 Maintenance Unit at RAF Lyneham for combat preparations. Missing the war in Europe, serial number NH749 is assigned to the RAF Southeast Asia Command, ultimately being sold to the Indian Air Force in 1947. On Saturday February 22nd of this year, the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport celebrated our Spitfire’s 80th birthday with a presentation chronicling it’s history and discussing extensive maintenance efforts to improve its engine cooling system. Thank you for joining us to hear of the long history and challenging maintenance efforts of SoCal’s Spitfire Mk XIV.
Thank you for coming out – and thank you for your support to help us “Keep ’em Flying”
Each year the CAF holds an annual fundraiser to help support and highlight aircraft projects for planes in need of restoration, maintenance or repairs. Donors may contribute to a specific aircraft project or to the CAF’s Restoration Grant Fund.
We are excited and honored to have our beloved Bearcat included in this special event!
In 2018, the we began a comprehensive restoration on the F8F Bearcat. When the pandemic hit, progress was halted for nearly two years. When restrictions were lifted, a group of highly skilled volunteers from the Wing reconstituted and resumed work. This group has meticulously restored this aircraft ensuring it meets historical accuracy and airworthiness standards. Now, in the critical phase of reassembly and painting, the Southern California Wing needs your support to finish up its final exterior work.
For more information and to donate today, visit the link here: F8F Bearcat -12 Planes of Christmas
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 currently closed to new applications, but please check back for status on the next time it becomes available.
