Takes Over As CAF's New Director of Maintenance
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF)
has announced that 27-year CAF member James C. "Woody" Woodford
will be joining its Headquarters as Director of Maintenance,
reporting to Bob Stenevik, VP of Operations and Maintenance.
"We are excited that a long-term member, who knows the CAF
aircraft and the CAF members, will be joining the Headquarters
team," said CAF President, Stephan Brown. "Jim's professional
background and experience will allow the CAF to continue to honor
the standards of quality in our aircraft and operations that were
established under Bob Stenevik and Gary Austin. During his time
here, Gary worked hard to create a set of standards in the
restoration and maintenance of our vintage warbirds and it is
through his recommendation and the recommendations of other CAF
leaders like Charles Hutchins and Bill Muszala that we feel
confident that Jim will be a great leader in the quest for
quality."
Woodford will be coming to Midland, Texas, the home of CAF
International Headquarters, from Houston, where he has been
employed by United Space Alliance since 1998. His professional
experience ranges from maintaining vintage warbirds to supporting
the International Space Station.
"I am thrilled to have had the offer to be a part of the CAF on
this level," said Woodford. "I have met a lot of really good folks
during my association with the CAF. This is an organization I
believe in and I am looking forward to bringing my knowledge and
ideas to the table."
Woodford began his career in aviation as soon as he graduated
high school and joined the US Navy. He continued his career at
Hughes Aircraft Company in California. Shortly after relocating to
Houston to begin his career in the aerospace industry, Woodford
discovered the renowned CAF Tora, Tora, Tora group. He quickly
joined the ranks of the organization and has remained an active
member since 1982. Throughout his membership in the CAF, Woodford
has acted as Crew Chief for the Tora aircraft.
For the past ten years, Woodford has acted as Head Tech
Inspector for the T-6 Racing Association. T-6 Racing is a well
known not-for-profit organization in aviation and is "dedicated to
the racing of the vintage WWII training aircraft designated North
American AT-6, Texan, Harvard or SNJ" (from www.racingt-6.org).
Woodford will continue to work with the T-6 group and his
experience with the aircraft will lend itself to his new career
with the CAF.
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for
more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) ranks
as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is
dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight,
exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association,
the CAF has approximately 9,000 members and a fleet of 156
airplanes representing more than 60 different types - including
airplanes from several foreign countries and military conflicts
since World War II.