Memorial Day 2022
In celebration of Memorial Day for 2022, we have chosen this video to share – we hope you like it
F6F Hellcat Presentation June 4 2022
Thank You to all who joined us at 11am on Saturday, June 4th, 2022 for our Hellcat presentation!
This time we broke down the short and violent life of the Hellcat. With the highest recorded kill ratio of any fighter ever, this presentation was not to be missed.
Here is the full video of the presentation:
Presentation – F8F Bearcat
Living History Presentation – F8F Bearcat Restoration
Thank you for all those who came out to hear all about our beloved Bearcat and the complete restoration currently being performed.
History, aircraft specifics, and restoration breakdown – very interesting stuff!
Now Open at the Reagan Library
We are excited to announce our participation in the NOW OPEN exhibit at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA.
Secrets of WWII – running April 2nd to October 9th, 2022
Update to the A6M3 Zero page
We would like to thank Newsweek for keeping the history alive with this article published a few years ago about the A6M3 Zero aircraft and about our Zero specifically. Newsweek interviewed Steve Barber who helped the CAFSOCAL acquire this rare warbird. Read all about it by clicking here.
Steve Barber and the Zero
Gone West – Steve Barber
There are many, many volunteers that contribute to the Commemorative Air Force, and many of those are members of, and work hard to enrich the Southern California Air Wing here in Camarillo. Few, however, can match the dedication, time involved, and effort in building a strong foundation of volunteers, aircraft, and facilities. It is very safe to state that the CAFSOCAL would not be what it is today without Steve Barber.
As a dedication to his memory, we are posting his memorial video here for the public to enjoy, as many of us have enjoyed remembering Steve. Please feel free to email membership@cafsocal.com with any additional stories, photos, or videos of Steve that other friends and family of Steve would like to see.
Thank you Steve for all that you have done for our organization and wing – you will be dearly.
Pearl Harbor Event – Dec 4th, 2021
Thank you for coming out to see our Pearl Harbor presentation honoring the heroic actions and pivotal attack that occurred on December 7th, 1941.
On Saturday, December 4th, 2021, we will be presenting the timeline of events of this significant historical battle.
U2 Spy Pilot Event – Nov 6th
This event was a success! Thank you all who came out to hear this incredible story.
We hosted a talk by Francis Gary Powers Jr., son of famed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers.
After the talk, the author was available for questions and the signing of his latest book;
Spy Pilot
Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy
By Francis Gary Powers Jr. and Keith Dunnavant
Based on newly available information, the son of famed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers presents the facts and dispels misinformation about the Cold War espionage program that his father was part of and was featured in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies.
Wings Over Camarillo Air Show 2021
Success! We had a Safe and Fun Air Show
Wings Over Camarillo air show was a blast! It was great to see so many enthusiastic people out to see the show – Check out the KTLA Coverage
Memorial Day 2021
Memorial Day 2021
Memorial Day is a Federal Holiday observed on the last Monday in May. Today we honor and mourn the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties. For the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing this is a special day as it aligns with our mission: To Educate, Inspire, and Honor Through Flight and Living History Experiences.
We are blessed with outstanding volunteers who help run the museum, keep the aircraft in tip-top condition, and execute on our mission. Today, we are happy to post a special edition of our members newsletter named Flight Line, thanks to Dave Flood and Casey de Bree.
Flight Line 
Special Edition
Memorial Day,
May 31, 2021
Lest We Forget
Omaha Beach, Normandy, France
June 6, 1944
Lest We Forget
United States Cemetery, Lorraine, France
“In Flanders Fields”
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place.
And in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard among the guns below.
We are the dead,
Short days ago we lived,
Felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved,
And now…we lie in Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you, with failing hands,
We throw the torch.
Be yours to hold it high!
If you break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep,
Though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.
~John McCrae
Lest We Forget
Iwo Jima
February 23, 1945
Lest We Forget
Burial at sea, USS Liscome Bay, 1943
Lest We Forget
Raid on Ploesti, Romania Oil Refineries, August 1, 1943
Lest We Forget
MASH Unit, Korean War – 1st Marine Division
Lest We Forget
HU-1D Helicopter, Strike Force – Vietnam
Lest We Forget
American Troops Clearing Area
Warnak Province, Afghanistan
“For The Fallen”
“They went with songs to the battle,
They were young.
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady
and aglow.
They were staunch to the end,
Against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we
That are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor
the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning
We will remember them.”
~Laurence Binyon
Arlington National Cemetery, with the
Capitol in the distance.
Bob Burtness playing “Taps” for Bugles Across America at a veteran’s memorial service.