Education Through Living History The Dixie Wing Commemorative Air Force Peach State STARBASE

Commemorative Air Force Commemorative Air Force Mission The Dixie Wing: a local unit (Peachtree City, GA) Education Through Living History –Historic Airpower Facility –Aircraft Restoration –Education Program Questions Presentation Agenda

“Never has so much been owed by so many to so few ” - Winston Churchill

The Commemorative Air Force is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501c3 incorporated under Texas laws for charitable and education purposes (restoring and preserving World War II-era combat aircraft in flying status) The CAF's primary mission is preserving history. The second most important mission of the CAF is teaching history. Today the CAF has grown to nearly 10,000 members, 147 aircraft, and over 75 chartered units established in cities across the country. Each year more Americans see and touch the metal, smell the smoke, and hear the roar of piston-engine CAF aircraft than visit the static displays of all other aviation museums in the United States! See more at The Commemorative Air Force

1. To preserve, in flying condition, a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States in World War II. 2. To provide museum buildings for permanent protection and display of these aircraft as a tribute to the thousands of men and women who built, serviced, and flew them. 3. To perpetuate in the memory and hearts of all Americans the spirit in which these great planes were flown for the defense of our nation. 4. To establish an organization having the dedication, enthusiasm and esprit de corps necessary to operate, maintain, and preserve these aircraft as symbols of our American military aviation heritage. Commemorative Air Force Mission

The “Dixie Wing” is based at Falcon Field, Peachtree City, GA. Roughly 225 active members from all walks of life Pilots Mechanics Students Professionals Veterans Families Participate in 30 air shows annually, including “The Great Georgia Airshow” at Falcon Field Monthly Meeting: 3 rd Saturday, 3:30pm The Dixie Wing CAF: A Local Unit

Education Through Living History Historic Airpower Facility Historic Airpower Facility, Falcon Field, Peachtree City, GA, provides the Atlanta metro area with a unique resource Restoration Workshop Hangar for rare aircraft Special Events Venue Classroom Community jewel The Historic Airpower Facility is open to groups free of charge

Dixie Wing CAF preserves historic aircraft for future generations The aircraft provide area students with exposure to WWII aircraft that fly The wing currently has 6 aircraft: P-51 Mustang SBD Dauntless C-45 Expeditor PT-26 Cornell P-63 King Cobra (under restoration) LT-6 Mosquito / Texan “The tour was the first time the kids had ever seen a warbird” Dr. Debi Huffman, Fernbank Science Center Education Through Living History Aircraft Restoration

Our “Red Nose” Education Through Living History Aircraft Restoration North American P-51 Mustang: The Premier Fighter of WWII

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am- 5pm or by appointment Historic Airpower Facility, Falcon Field, Peachtree City, GA Prepared topics are selected by teachers or scout leaders ad hoc requests can be developed upon teacher request minutes presentations, followed by hangar tour is conducted by Dixie Wing Education Program Volunteers Program volunteers include WWII survivors Attendance YTD: 800 Kids, teachers & parents Education Through Living History American History Education Program

WWII TOPICS Air War Over Europe Air War Over the Pacific Arsenal of Democracy Battle of Midway Childhood in WWII Germany German Slave Labor in WWII Pearl Harbor Tuskegee Airmen WASPs Royal Air Force in WWII OTHER TOPICS Berlin Airlift Korean War Education Through Living History American History Education Program

Education Through Living History Dixie Wing CAF Education Program: Impact Fayette Daily News, 4/5/03Fayette Neighbor, 4/10/03

Education Through Living History Dixie Wing CAF Education Program: Impact Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 4/17/03

Education Through Living History Dixie Wing CAF Education Program: Impact “Thank you for taking the time to talk to us about World War Two. I learned a lot about it. I didn’t know Japan came a special way so (that) nobody saw them. I guess there’s a lot I didn’t know about World War Two.” Thank you, Savannah M. 6 th Grade Spring Hill Elementary School Pearl Harbor Presentation, May 12, 2003 “I really appreciate all the efforts that you have gone through for this program. It’s wonderful! I would like to hear more stories. Kids love them!” Thank you, Karen Eller Teacher Spring Hill Elementary School Pearl Harbor Presentation, May 12, 2003

How to schedule a Tour and Presentation (Dixie Wing Hangar) (Bill Baldwin, Program Coordinator) Education Through Living History American History Education Program

“Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it ” - George Santanya