Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force

Night in the 40's Big Band Dance and WWII Musical Show - Third Saturday of March each year

Our annual Night in the 40's Big Band Dance and WWII Musical Show is held the third weekend in March, and invites everyone to come out and take part in a nostalgic engagement for all ages.

Guests are encouraged to attend dressed in 40's attire, and prices are handed out for best outfits. Photo opportunities in front of our B-17G "Sentimental Journey" are available, as well as dancing, great food, and drinks. Please visit our site www.bigbanddance.com for all the details!

Southwest Military Transportation Show - Late March/Early April

We are proud to present the Southwest Military Transportation Show with the Arizona Historical Military Transport Association. Activities include military vehicle show, static aircraft display, swap meet, food, collectibles, parts, vendors, vehicle static display and judging. Please visit the AHMTA home page for details.

A Gathering of Legends - Veteran's Weekend Celebration

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Arizona Wing Aviation Museum is pleased to present the "Fourth Annual Gathering of Legends," the largest gathering of military aviators in the southwestern United States. The event is designed to honor aviators who have participated in U.S. military conflicts during the past 69 years and serves as the museum's Veterans Day celebration. Visitors are invited to meet and speak personally with approximately 40 military aviators, including fighter pilot aces, bomber and cargo aircraft crewmen, Tuskegee Airmen, Womens Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs) and many others.

Events scheduled for Gathering of Legends:

• Friday, November 10^th - Dinner with Legends at 5:30pm.
• Saturday, November 11^th - A Gathering of Legends all day event at our museum starting at 10:00AM
• Sunday, November 12^th - RAF Cadet Memorial Service at 10:45AM

RAF Cadet Memorial

On Sunday, November 13 the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing will conduct a memorial service for 23 British Cadets who died during WW II while training at #4 British Flying Training School (today's Falcon Field) in Mesa. The service, which has been conducted for more than 30 years, will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Mesa Cemetery located at 1212 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ. The British Plot is located approximately in the center of the cemetery. Representatives of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Air Force, the Daughters of the British Empire, the New Caledonian Pipe Band and numerous dignitaries from both the City of Mesa and the British government will be present. For more information call 480-268-2140, 480-268-2144 or 480-924-1940 or by email at info@azcaf.org.

International Plastic Modelers Society - Early November

Click here to view the IPMS website.

The International Plastic Modelers Society will hold their international gathering in the museum hangar. The event will feature plastic models of aircraft, ships, missiles, spacecraft, figures, automobiles, etc. as well as a model contest. Vendors will offer plastic model kits and other modeling supplies.

New Exhibit Opens: Honoring the Fallen

These overseas WWI and WWII cemeteries are the final resting place of men and women who never made it home. Their remains rest beneath foreign soil their grave markers a symbolic sentinel reminding all of the freedom their sacrifices made possible. Nearly 125,000 American war dead rest in 24 overseas military cemeteries. And more than 94,000 others are memorialized on tablets of the missing, and memorial monuments and markers throughout the world. Commemorating the service, sacrifice, and achievements of veterans who’ve served in foreign lands is the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Established by Congress in 1923, the agency is the guardian of America's overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials.

Tuskegee Airmen

On Saturday, February 9, 2008 opened a new exhibit titled “Triumph Over Adversity.” It is dedicated to the Black pioneers of aviation and to the officers and enlisted personnel of the Tuskegee Airmen who served during WWII. This is in recognition of the positive experience, the outstanding record of accomplishment and the superb behavior of all black airmen, especially those of the 99th Fighter Squadron, the 322nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group (collectively known as the Tuskegee Airmen) who were important factors in the initiation of social change to achieve racial equality in America. The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Thurston Gaines, an original Tuskegee Airmen and a resident of Glendale, Arizona. Also present as special guests will be members of the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.Photos of the exhibit and dedication

Chow Hound Exhibit

November 11, 2007, Veterans Day exhibit dedicated to the B-17 Flying Fortress “Chow Hound” that was lost in action during WWII.

The exhibit contains one of the props and section of the wing panel, a model of “Chow Hound,” a full sized tail of the bomber, and photos and posters honoring the crew members that were recovered in 2004 and history of the 91st Bomb Group.
Press Release story of Chow Hound and recovery
Photos of the exhibit and dedication

Docent Tours (Scouts, School Field Trips, Large Groups)

The Museum provides Docent guided tours for groups of eight or more adults and more at a discounted price. The Museum also provides tours for school children (ages eight and older) and organized youth groups. Children who are part of these groups are admitted free of charge. The Museum does require one chaperone per each 8 children. Chaperones are admitted at a discounted price. To reserve a tour date and time, please call the docent office at 480-268-2153 and provide the name of the organization, point of contact name, contact information, number expected in the party, and desired date and time. One of our docents will return your call. To check current rates contact the docent office or the Museum Gift Shop at 480-924-1940.

Public Speaking