Event

Presentation – Game of Drones, June 28, 2025

Living History Presentation

Game of Drones
by Rich Martindell

Saturday, June 28th, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

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. On Saturday June 28th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host Rich, who will compare 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 will address 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. The event will conclude, weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, with CAF SoCal flying one of their SNJ Texan trainers for you. So, join us to hear author Rich Martindell give us insights to the living and operational environments he encountered in his deployments to remote locations across the globe.

2025-06-24T19:53:45-07:00June 20th, 2025|Event, Featured, Uncategorized|

A Day With Dad, June 15th, 2025

Father’s Day at the Commemorative Air Force Museum

Welcome to A DAY WITH DAD!

Bring your dad and join us on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15th, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a special event at the Commemorative Air Force, Southern California Wing located at Camarillo Airport. Spend quality time with your dad and create lasting memories together. Enjoy Chano Tacos and Mister Softee ice cream under the wing of our B-25 Bomber. Come and explore our amazing collection of historically significant World War II military aircraft. Learn about our warbird ride program and the CAF mission to EDUCATE, INSPIRE, and HONOR.

Tickets are only $20 for up to six (6) family members.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

 

Thank You Visit Camarillo for sponsoring our Fathers Day!

Visit Camarillo

 

2025-06-24T19:50:43-07:00June 9th, 2025|Event, Featured, News|

California Capital Airshow

We are pleased to once again participate in the California Capital Airshow, on this the 100th Anniversary of Mather Airport.

With a spectacular fireworks display and the USAF Thunderbirds performing, the show promises to surpass its own high standards achieved over the years.

CAF SoCal warbirds, the AT-6 SNJ “290”, P51 D “ManO’War” and B25/PBJ “SemperFi” will be on display at the airshow.

Visitors can tour the interior of the PBJ bomber, talk with our crew and book rides on the SNJ and the P51 on show days.

As always, flight slots are limited and we encourage those interested to book their flights for the show ahead of time.

It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

 

2018-09-28T20:36:59-07:00September 5th, 2018|Event|

Minden Airshow

The US Navy Blue Angels may think they’re the featured event at the Minden-Tahoe Airshow in October, but our fans (including our beloved Blue Angels) would agree that the Hellcat and Bearcat tribute to the Blue Angels will be the real highlight of the show!

Additionaly, our P51D Mustang ManO’War will be present for static display.

Those wishing to enhance their airshow experience and get a personal connection to these venerable WWII era warbirds can do so with a flight aboard ManO’War.
If you missed us at the Truckee/Tahoe Airshow, here’s your final opportunity in 2018 to soar over the Sierras aboard the thoroughbred Mustang.
Flight times are limited and pre-booking your flight is highly encouraged.


2018-10-20T16:28:21-07:00September 5th, 2018|Event|

CAFSoCal Presentation Series: VMB611 and the PBJ

Living History Presentation Series
VMB-611 & Doolittle PBJ

Saturday, September 1, 2018
12:30PM
CAF SoCal Hangar

Our PBJ, the Marine Corps version of the venerable B-25, is the only flying example in the world today.

On Saturday, September 1st, CAF SoCal is hosting an event focused on the PBJ and Marine Bombing Squadron-611 (VMB-611).

A trio of CAF SoCal guest speakers will walk you through the history of the PBJ and VMB-611, a 23-year long restoration, and the celebration of the Doolittle Raid’s 75th anniversary.  

So mark your calendars to learn about this historic aircraft, its historic return to flight, and its participation in the historic Doolittle 75th anniversary.

Experience living history.

 

 

2018-09-05T13:48:46-07:00July 29th, 2018|Event|

CAFSoCal Presentation Series: The YAK-3 Fighter

“Avoid combat at lower altitude with Yak fighters lacking an oil cooler intake beneath the nose!”  That directive from Luftwaffe leadership said it all – its fighters were no match for Russia’s newest fighter, the small but lethal Yak-3.
 
On Saturday, July 22nd at 11AM, CAF SoCal is hosting an event focused on this late addition to the air war over the Eastern Front.
 

Introduced in the summer of 1944, the Yak-3 was just in time to have a significant role in Operation BAGRATION, the Soviet strategic offensive fought between June 22nd and August 19th.  This operation was a decisive Soviet victory that completely destroyed German Army Group Centre.
 
The guest speaker is CAF SoCal’s own Steve Barber, Wing leader and Yak-3 pilot.  So mark your calendars to learn about the dominant fighter on the Eastern Front, the Yak-3.
 
Saturday July 22nd, 11am at the Commemorative Air Force museum at the Camarillo Airport.
 
Experience living history.
2017-07-17T14:42:42-07:00June 21st, 2017|Event|

Mustang Rides at Truckee/Tahoe Airshow

CAF SoCal aircraft will be participating in the 2017 Truckee Tahoe Air Show & Family Festival, July 07-09, 2017 and our P51 Mustang will be there giving rides for an experience of a lifetime!

Following a lengthy overhaul period, our P-51D Man’O’War is available for flights again, with a completely overhauled Rolls Royce Merlin engine and propeller.

Reserve your P51 Ride today!

Book Online HERE
or
Call 805-482-0064

 

Man’OWar’s dance card at the home hangars in Camarillo is full and getting longer.  Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the warbird that established air supremacy in the skies of Europe and take a ride aboard a P-51D Mustang over the breath-taking scenery of the Truckee/Lake Tahoe.

2017-06-20T21:02:40-07:00June 19th, 2017|Event|

Father’s Day Warbird Rides

Give Dad a treat he won’t soon forget!

This Fathers Day Weekend, Saturday June 17th and Sunday 18th, we have added additional flight times in the AT6 Texan/SNJ as well as the B-25/PBJ Mitchell bomber for rides at the CAFSoCal museum.

Book your ride soon as seats are limited 

Purchase Online for the PBJ Bomber or the AT6/SNJ Trainer

or call (805) 482-0064

or stop by at the museum

It is an experience not to be missed and a gift that will be talked about at family gatherings over and over.

But, don’t take our word for it…. Just watch a few of these ride program participants:

 


 

 

2017-06-04T16:04:50-07:00June 4th, 2017|Event|

CAFSoCal Presentation Series: Harnessing the Sky

CAF SoCal Presentation Series: Harnessing the Sky: Fredrick “Trap” Trapnell The U.S. Navy’s Aviation Pioneer
HTS Book 10JUN2017
From bi-planes to jets!

On Saturday, June 10th, local author Dana Trapnell Tibbitts, will share the nearly lost history of the man called the “godfather of modern naval aviation.”

Based on the award winning biography, Harnessing The Sky: Frederick “Trap” Trapnell, the U.S. Navy’s Aviation Pioneer, recently published by the Naval Institute Press, this Living History presentation is open to the public.
Weather and maintenance permitting, the museum will fly it’s Zero killer, the F6F Hellcat, an airplane whose expedited development under Trapnell was critical to U.S. victory in World War II.

CAFSoCal_Mugu2015_042

Tibbitts, who is Vice Admiral Trapnell’s granddaughter, will share the little known story of early flight test and the development of another formidable Navy fighter, the F4U Corsair. Trap became the first Navy pilot to fly a jet, and then guided Navy flight test through the monumental and treacherous transition to jets.

Other iconic, flyable aircraft will also be on display, like a real Japanese Zero. For the adventurous, rides for hire will be available in several different vintage military aircraft. A food vendor will also be on hand for those wishing a meal.
Mark your calendars to learn about the Navy’s test pilot legend, Frederick “Trap” Trapnell. Saturday June 10th, 11am at the Commemorative Air Force museum at the Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, California. Experience living history.

2017-05-13T16:03:25-07:00May 12th, 2017|Event|
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