CAF Will Bring C-47 and R4D Normandy Vets to Salis Museum in June 

This June, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is bringing two significant pieces of World War II aviation history to the Salis Museum in France for an exceptional event commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The aircraft, the C-47 "That's All, Brother" and the R4D "Ready 4 Duty," will be part of a larger exhibit organized by the Salis Flying Museum, the D-Day Squadron, and the French Wing of the CAF. Scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the event allows the public to explore these historic aircraft closely. Admission is set at 19€, providing an affordable opportunity for history enthusiasts and the general public to engage with a pivotal piece of World War II history.

Engineer Dies of Prop Strike at Gray Butte Airfield

The tragic incident involving Stephanie Cosme at Gray Butte Airfield underscores critical issues in operational safety and situational awareness in high-risk environments. Cosme, a 32-year-old test engineer employed by Sumaria Systems, LLC, was fatally injured on September 7, 2023, when she walked into a rotating propeller of an MQ-9A Reaper drone during a ground test. The Air Force's investigation into the accident highlighted several key factors contributing to the unfortunate event. Firstly, the report indicates that Cosme was inadequately trained on how to properly approach the aircraft while conducting telemetry readings.

The 44th FG Is Transitioning Alongside The 325th Fighter Wing

The 44th Fighter Group, Air Force Reserve, conducted its first flying unit training assembly at Tyndall Air Force Base, April 6, since returning to Tyndall. This training proved valuable for the pilots and maintainers by giving them hands-on experience with F-35A Lightning IIs and their first local sortie since departing Tyndall prior to Hurricane Michael. The 44th FG is transitioning alongside the 325th Fighter Wing to become a fully capable fifth-generation aircraft combat unit, and these training experiences provide the framework needed to produce unrivaled combat airpower through mission-ready Airmen. 

Maintenance Waits for No One, as Warbird Pilots Know

The Commemorative Air Force's Jeremy Lashbrook, Squadron Leader for the B-29 and B-24, broke some bad news to fans looking forward to the upcoming Air Power History Tour: The B-24 Liberator, Diamond Lil', will need a lot of unanticipated maintenance. "During the annual inspection of the B-24 “Diamond Lil” this off season, we made the determination that “Lil” needs some new feathers. Due to weathering, the cloth covered rudders, ailerons, and elevators, required new paint which also meant replacing the underlying fabric. During this process, we also felt that now would be a good time to replace the flight control cables that connect the control surfaces to the pilot’s yokes and rudder pedals. Unfortunately, this is an extensive project which will preclude our beautiful B-24 from being able to travel the country with the Air Power History Tour this summer as there have been unexpected delays in completing this project...."