Commemorative Air Force history

In 1958, the group made their second purchase of two Grumman F8F Bearcats for $805 each.

Noticing the growing interest in their group, the men chartered the unit as a non-profit organization in 1961 and started inviting other veterans to join.

Their first airshow was held on March 10, 1963.

In 1965, the first museum building was completed at old Rebel Field, Mercedes, Texas.

The CAF created a new Rebel Field at Harlingen, Texas when they moved there in 1968, occupying three large buildings including 26,000 square feet (2,400 m) of museum space.

In 1971, they added one of the two airworthy Boeing B-29 Superfortress, FiFi.

Since opening our doors in 1978, countless visitors from around the world have descended on Mesa for this one-of-a-kind experience.

In 1983, the American Airpower Heritage Foundation was founded to financially support the CAF.

The group's accomplishments were recognized in 1989 when it became a National Aviation Hall of Fame Spirit of Flight Award winner.

In 1990, the CAF added two more corporations.

1991 saw the CAF moving operations to Midland, Texas.

In 2002 it changed its name to Commemorative Air Force after a vote of the membership.

Formation pass during the 2008 CAF AIRSHO

See also American Combat Airman Hall of Fame inductees webpage (on American Airpower Heritage Museum website). Retrieved July 28, 2010.

Starting in 2013, a limited number of larger units may be designated as an "Airbase." The first is Airbase Arizona, located at Falcon Field in Mesa, AZ and redesignated in Jun 2013.

In April 2014, the CAF announced the move of their headquarters and all of the planes associated with the headquarters to Dallas Executive Airport in Dallas, Texas.