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CANCELED B-17 Sentimental Journey September 22-29, 2025

 

EVENT CANCELED
CAF Airbase Arizona
B-17 Sentimental Journey
Visiting CAF SoCal September 22nd – 29th, 2025

NOTE: Public viewing only during special museum hours.
Wed 9/24 – Thu 9/25: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Fri 9/26 – Sun 9/28: 09:00 AM – 4:00 PM

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:

  • Ground tours only, no flights.

Friday through Sunday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM:

  • Scheduled flights: 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 12:00 PM
  • Ground tours: 2:00 PM till 5:00 PM (Museum doors close at 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.

Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona, Flying Legends of Victory Tour. Rides subject to change/cancellation from weather, mechanical/other factors. Waiver must be signed.
2025-09-22T12:53:34-07:00September 15th, 2025|Event, Featured, News|
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POSTPONED – Bearcat Restoration Update September 13th, 2025

We regrettably had to postpone this event until 2026. Please check back next year when we post our Living History event schedule.

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.

2025-08-23T18:04:45-07:00July 20th, 2025|Event, Featured, News|
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Presentation – Game of Drones, June 28, 2025

Living History Presentation

Game of Drones
by Rich Martindell

Saturday, June 28th, 2025

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.

2025-09-15T21:28:34-07:00June 20th, 2025|Event, Featured, Uncategorized|
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KHAY FEST April 12th, 2025

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

2025-04-05T08:40:22-07:00April 5th, 2025|Featured|
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Presentation: Shot Down, April 26, 2025

Come out and join us for our next presentation:  Shot Down by Steve Snyder

 

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.

Location: CAFSoCal Museum at 11am on Saturday – suggested donation: $15.00 per person – Thank You!  Your donation helps us “Keep ’em flying!”

 

2025-04-01T17:25:11-07:00March 29th, 2025|Featured|
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Presentation: Spitfire 80th birthday, February 22, 2025

Spitfire 80th Presentation – look for a video replay coming soon

 

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”

 

2025-04-05T08:32:33-07:00January 12th, 2025|News|
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Bearcat Fundraiser

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

2025-03-29T16:31:33-07:00December 9th, 2024|News|
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Presentation: POSTPONED – Shot Down, November 9, 2024

Living History Presentation

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Postponed Until Further Notice.

               

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.

Shot Down Flyer

2024-11-10T14:42:14-07:00October 7th, 2024|News|
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Aviation Career Day Friday Oct 18

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

2024-11-01T19:22:16-07:00October 3rd, 2024|News|
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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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