The Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force would like to wish you a safe and happy 4th of July, 2020! We will be open when it is safe to do so for our members and our volunteers, but until then please stay safe and healthy, and we hope you enjoy these videos from times past.
The first is an old Ford Trucks commercial where the China Doll steals the show
Next is a great airshow recap video from 2017 El Centro
America’s Aviators and Their Flyovers of Honor
Anne Constantin Birge
What are flyovers! Two words answer that question – they’re awesome! Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, in central Oklahoma, my family and I never got to experience flyovers, like the ones we appreciate today. Nooooo! Ours were much better! Back then, when those daredevil jet aviators, headed south out of Tinker Air Force Base, near OKC about 16 miles north of us, they’d head right for our house. We never saw ‘em coming. We only saw them leave – after they blasted us with their calling cards – those wonderful sonic booms (which occur when aircraft exceed 768 mph or the speed of sound.). Their speed of sound flyovers were window-rattling, horse-bucking, sheep-scaring, days-long cessation of egg-laying and kid-squealing exhibitions of speed and military might. Although sonic booms probably weren’t allowed back then either, those rowdy aviators just had to do it, probably still do and doubtless still smirk during their official dressing down.
I always thought those eardrum-rupturing flyovers, were the first flyovers. As it turns out, the first recorded flyover was performed by sixty US Army Air Service biplanes on Thursday, September 5, 1918. Just as America is at war today with a viral pandemic, on that day she’d already spent about 18-months engaged in WWI. After Game 1 of the World Series, the attendees who came to see the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs play, probably never cared who won that game. After witnessing the Army biplanes flyover and then being a part of the first time our National Anthem was played at a World Series, perhaps it didn’t even matter who won Game 1.
These days, America’s military may not be causing sonic booms. But, they’re sure making lots of beautiful noise. As part of Operation America Strong, our Army, Air Force, Navy, National Guard and Coast Guard are flying over our cities to honor our first responders, medical personnel and essential business employees, who put their lives on the line every day during the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic. These flyovers, at relatively sedate speeds, have been and will be done in at least 35 US states and the District of Columbia, from New York and Maryland to Oregon and Arizona and from Hawaii and Alaska to Florida and the Carolinas.
The Vancouver, WA Pearson Air Museum, has
a static display of a rare 1918 DeHavilland DH-4b
Liberty aircraft (aka: The Flaming Coffin)
just like Lt. Oakley Kelly’s DH-4 (pictured).
Some of the aircraft involved in America’s recent and upcoming flyovers, include the B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, A-10 Thunderbolt, C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, LC-130 Hercules (lands on ice), F-15 Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning, KC-46 Pegasus, KC-135 Stratotanker, T-1 Jayhawk, T-6 Texan and Doc, one of only two airworthy WWII B-29 Superfortress bombers left in the world. In northern California, Beale Air Force Base’s 9th Reconnaissance Wing formations, led by Capt. Parker “Betty” Dodds and 1st Lt. Kyle Carver, conducted two Salutes to Northern California flyovers from Redding to Placerville and from Nevada City to Vacaville, from the cockpits of their four sleek, gleaming black Northrop T-38 Talons. (maximum speed 858 mph!)
Meanwhile, turnabout is fair play. Delighted citizens all across our country, flocked to their driveways, residential streets and side roads along flight paths, to honor America’s aeronauts as they soared overhead, on their journey to the next honorees. These beautiful formations of polished paint and roaring jet engines, not only honor our Veterans and frontline workers, they give us gravity-bound earthlings a chance to witness what they do and thank them for their aerial prowess.
Since 1957, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) – Ghost Squadron, which was founded in Texas, has purchased, restored and maintained more than 170 vintage aircraft and WWII Warbirds. And, Texans have big, wonderful and caring attitudes. Multiple Texas CAF members went REALLY BIG in honoring front line personnel, military Veterans and residents of their cities. Some of the 32 Texas Wings and Squadrons included the Houston Wing, P-63 Sponsor Group, Tora Sponsor Group, Gulf Coast Wing, Centex (Central Texas) Wing, Devil Dog Squadron, High Sky Wing and the Lone Star Flight Museum. The Tex Hill Wing flew the Archbishop of San Antonio, in what was called a Spirit Flight, over San Antonio as he blessed her populace.
USAF – Beale AFB, CA T-38 Talons – 28 Feb 2013 (photo by S/Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo – Released)
But, Texas wasn’t the only happenin’ place for the CAF. In New Orleans, the Big Easy Wing, flew the Rabbi from the Gates of Prayer Synagogue and the Archbishop of New Orleans over the city, so they could bless the inhabitants. The Waukesha Wisconsin Wing and Airbase Arizona in Mesa, flew over their cities to salute war Veterans and to honor the 75th anniversary of VE Day (May 5, 1945 – Victory in Europe Day).
Don’t worry, like researchers did when Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947. If you’re ever lucky enough to witness to a sonic boom, the pilots will emerge unscathed. Next time you hear the scream of a jet, long after it’s disappeared, please remember – that sound is the sound of freedom. Lastly, I know firsthand, that although all us kids on the ground loved to hear those Tinker Air Force Base jet pilots break the sound barrier, Mother didn’t.
‘til next time, signing off,
Rattlesnake Annie
Colonel – CAF SoCal Wing
BTW Don’t fret about the cost of these flyovers. They’re part of our military aviators’ essential training and the costs are covered in their annual budgets.
Courtesy of the US Naval Institute
“Ace of Aces” is the dramatic David McCampbell story, complemented by stunning vintage World War II film footage and punctuated with Captain McCampbell’s own words, recorded for the U.S. Naval Institute’s Oral History program. In this professionally produced video, McCampbell’s candor makes the story of the U.S. Navy’s all-time top fighter ace come alive, from his boyhood and early naval career to his 34 career kills and earning the Medal of Honor for his valor at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. So climb into the cockpit with this extraordinary naval aviator for a memorable flight back in time.
For those who are curious, Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
At the Commemorative Air Force, we celebrate this day, and every day, by working toward fulfilling our mission: To educate, inspire and honor through flight and exposition.
Please enjoy this sample of videos from times past and remember those who died while serving in the US military.
Every once in a while we come find a great story about a great person – here is one of those. Please send a birthday card for his 105th birthday!
Dear Everyone,
On 26 March 1915, Sam A. Sachs, the oldest of three children, was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He has had quite a storied life and now lives in Lakewood, CA. His plans for his 105th birthday party were shattered with the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. So, instead of birthday bash, Sam is asking for birthday cards! He especially was delighted and surprised recently when the Sultans’ Car Club, Long Beach, CA, had a parade of their vintage vehicles to honor him and his birthday.
So, you know a bit about WWII Lt. Col. (US Army Reserve, Retired) Sam A. Sachs, the following information about him is from various Internet articles:
In 1931, and while still in high school, Sam joined ROTC. In Oct 1940, at age 25, he registered for the Draft. Later, he was called to fight in WWII. As a 1st Lt., Sam first went to Fort Benning, Georgia. Later, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Infantry to pilot gliders, affectionately known as Flying Coffins. On 6 June 1944, the 30-year old officer flew an unarmed glider carrying eight troops, machine guns and ammo, through anti-aircraft artillery fire, for their D-Day landing at Normandy, France. Upon landing the glider on a farm about two to three miles from Utah Beach (the farthest west of the five landings), Sam found only one bullet hole in the glider’s fuselage. Until the war’s end in 1945, Sam served as Company Commander in Casablanca, Morocco, Africa, Naples, Italy (see 1943 Naples picture) and other locations. He was also part of a group which helped liberate prisoners from a German concentration camp.
In 1946, Sam met Ida, bride of 58-years (she passed in 2005). Then, Sam attended the University of Southern California, where he obtained his teaching credential. He taught in several southern California schools, with his first teaching assignment at Wilmington High School. He then taught at Compton Junior High School, Roosevelt Adult School (east LA) and from 1955 to 1982, he taught at Huntington Park High School.
After Sam served with the US Army Reserves for 32-years, he retired as a Lt. Col. In 2017, Sam was honored by the 63rd California Assembly District, as the Lakewood, CA Veteran of the Year. On 6 June 2019, 75-years after helping liberate France from Nazi Germany’s grip, Christophe Lemoine, Consul General of France – Los Angeles, presented Lt. Col. Sachs with the French Legion of Honor. He also said, that by decree of French President Emmanuel Macron, Sam was appointed a Chevalier (Knight).
Should you want to send a birthday card to our WWII Hero and Veteran, his address is:
Lt. Col. (US Army Reserve, Retired) Sam A. Sachs
c/o Mom and Dad’s Manor House
4340 Conquista Avenue
Lakewood, CA 90713
Let’s shower Sam Sachs, a WWII Veteran who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today, with a lot of birthday cards, so he has an absolutely spectacular birthday! Also, we notified the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1874 in Grand Forks, ND, where Sam was born, about his upcoming birthday. They intend to let all the North Dakota VFWs know, so they can honor Sam, too! Maybe you can even pass this letter on to others who can send the message out to more people?!
Anne Constantin Birge and Ray Birge
Lincoln, CA
The Wounded Warrior Project – The greatest casualty is being forgotten.
While you are staying home to flatten the curve, you may want to head on over to the PX (gift store) located here: CAFSOCAL PX
And keep checking back, we are adding more items very soon! Here is a small sample…
As an extra precaution regarding the COVID19, our museum is temporarily closed. Sorry for any inconvenience.
If you have any questions, please call our Public Information Officers: Pat at 805-479-2221 or Lucien at 805-300-4580
Come enjoy the next presentation on Saturday, March 28, 11am to 2pm. Based on the book: Spy Pilot by Francis Gary Powers Jr., and Keith Dunnavant.
Here is the write up of the book as it appears on Amazon:
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 turned his father into a Cold War icon..
One of the most talked-about events of the Cold War was the downing of the American U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers over the Soviet Union on May 1, 1960. The event was recently depicted in the Steven Spielberg movie Bridge of Spies. Powers was captured by the KGB, subjected to a televised show trial, and imprisoned, all of which created an international incident. Soviet authorities eventually released him in exchange for captured Soviet spy Rudolf Abel. On his return to the United States, Powers was exonerated of any wrongdoing while imprisoned in Russia, yet, due to bad press and the government’s unwillingness to heartily defend Powers, a cloud of controversy lingered until his untimely death in 1977.
Now his son, Francis Gary Powers Jr. and acclaimed historian Keith Dunnavant have written this new account of Powers’s life based on personal files that had never been previously available. 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, Powers and Dunnavant set the record straight. The result is a fascinating piece of Cold War history. This is also a book about a son’s journey to understand his father, pursuing justice and a measure of peace.
Almost sixty years after the fact, this will be the definitive account of one of the most important events of the Cold War.
Unfortunately, the Warbird Ride Program is suspended until further notice.
Please check back often for the status, thank you.
For more information, here is the page: https://www.cafsocal.com/warbird-ride-program/
We thought you’d enjoy reading a current article about Camarillo Airport (CMA) on the current edition of Air & Space Magazine at airspacemag.com – The Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing is featured front and center, and we think that’s great!
Here is an excerpt:
“Flying into Camarillo, as I do often in my 55-year-old Piper Cherokee, is like touching down at Disneyland—if Disneyland were wholly dedicated to general aviation. It’s not uncommon to find yourself cleared to land behind a restored World War II fighter, a home-built kitplane, a multi-million-dollar executive jet, a Cessna trainer with a young student behind the yoke, or some vaguely confused guy driving a Beech Bonanza who sounds over the radio like he’s never talked to air traffic control in his life.
Any aviation-minded person who questions the existence of nirvana on Earth has never spent a day at Camarillo (CMA).”
Read more at: www.airspacemag.com
