News Archives - CAF SoCal

Presentation July 11th 2026 – American MiG Pilot

Presentation July 11th 2026 – American MiG Pilot

American MiG Pilot: Inside the Top Secret USAF “Red Eagles” MiG Squadron by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Rob “Z-Man” Zettel is a book detailing his experiences flying Soviet MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighters in the USAF’s secret “Constant Peg” program during the Cold War.

On Saturday July 11th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host “Z-Man” as he recalls his first-person, cockpit-level account of the risks and realities of training against these adversary aircraft, providing an insider’s view of the top-secret unit that trained U.S. fighter pilots to fight the MiGs they would face in combat.

Weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, CAF SoCal will fly one of our warbirds for you. So, come join us on July 11th to hear author Rob Zettel share his “I was there” story of his intimate involvement in this highly classified (at the time) fighter pilot training program. Recently published in February 2026, “Z-Man” will have copies of his book available for sale.

Date: July 11th, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Venue: CAF Museum, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, CA 93010

CLICK HERE For Information & Tickets

The Commemorative Air Force of Southern California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and while admission to the museum is always free, donations help us preserve aviation history.

Lucien Pillai2026-07-05T19:14:44-07:00June 22nd, 2026|Event, Featured, News|

Presentation May 30th 2026 – F-35B Test & Operations

Presentation May 30th 2026 – F-35B Test & Operations

On Saturday, May 30th, the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport hosted Royal Navy pilots Commander Stephen ‘Lothar’ Collins, Officer Commanding the 17th Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) at Edwards Air Force Base, and Lieutenant Commander Mark ‘Hux’ Huxtable, 17 TES Test Pilot. Lothar and Hux shared stories of modern UK F-35B carrier ops, the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group ‘21 cruise, and an F-35B ejection off the carrier (by one of our presenters).

Regrettably, due to the sensitivity of their operations and active status, we were asked not to record this event. Thank you for understanding.

The Commemorative Air Force of Southern California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and while admission to the museum is always free, donations help us preserve aviation history.

Lucien Pillai2026-07-05T18:45:59-07:00April 26th, 2026|Event, News|

Presentation Feb 28th 2026 – “Spitfires”

They were crop dusters and debutantes, college girls and performers in flying circuses – all of them trained as pilots. Because they were women, they were denied the opportunity to fly for their country when the United States entered the WWII. But Great Britain, desperately fighting for survival, would let anyone – even Americans, even women-transport warplanes. On Saturday February 28th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport hosted author Becky Aikman as she followed the stories of nine of the women who served, drawing on unpublished diaries, letters, and records, along with her own interviews, to bring these forgotten heroines fully to life in her vivid, richly detailed account of war, ambition, and a group of remarkable women. Becky Aikman shared the heart-pounding true story of the daring American women who piloted the most dangerous aircraft of World War II through the treacherous skies of Britain.

Below is a link to the presentation’s program.

‘Spitfires’ Program 02/28/2026

Lucien Pillai2026-07-05T18:46:21-07:00January 20th, 2026|Event, News|

Presentation Jan 24th 2026 – Crosby’s Curse

Set in the Southwest Pacific in WWII, they were young boys, flying untested B-24 Liberators into battle off dirt runways after a few short weeks of training against a tenacious enemy. Nothing in their training prepared them for what they would face in the skies over New Guinea. On Saturday January 24th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host author Russell Low as he guides us through his story celebrating the brave and selfless men who fought in one particular B-24 Liberator. Known as “Crosby’s Curse,” this B-24 of the 90th Bomb Group of the 5th Air Force flew into battle in the skies over the Southwest Pacific in the early darkest days of the war. Weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, CAF SoCal will fly one of our warbirds for you. So, come join us on Saturday, January 24th at 11:00 AM, to hear author Russell Low honor these men who flew for their country and for their namesake, Bing Crosby.

Lucien Pillai2026-07-05T13:53:06-07:00December 15th, 2025|News|

Presentation Nov 8th 2025 – Mass Production

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.

Lucien Pillai2026-07-05T13:52:21-07:00October 20th, 2025|News|

POSTPONED – Bearcat Restoration Update September 13th, 2025

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.

Lucien Pillai2026-07-05T13:52:01-07:00July 20th, 2025|News|

Presentation Jun 28th 2025 – Game of Drones

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.

Lucien Pillai2026-07-05T13:51:48-07:00June 20th, 2025|News|

Presentation: Shot Down, April 26, 2025

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!”

Lucien Pillai2026-07-05T13:51:34-07:00March 29th, 2025|News|

Presentation: Spitfire 80th birthday, February 22, 2025

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”

Col Will Cunningham2025-04-05T08:32:33-07:00January 12th, 2025|News|

Presentation: POSTPONED – Shot Down, November 9, 2024

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

Col Will Cunningham2024-11-10T14:42:14-07:00October 7th, 2024|News|

News

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

Living History Presentation

Game of Drones by Rich Martindell

Saturday, June 28th, 2025

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

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

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

Living History Presentation

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Postponed Until Further Notice.

Game of Drones
by Rich Martindell