Mighty and Heroic History Adventures in May at CAF Airbase Arizona
Mesa, ARIZONA (May 12, 2023)- Mid-year programs at Airbase Arizona started this month with a special commemoration Sunday, May 7, 2023, honoring the heroes of Operation Halyard who rescued over 500 Allied airmen from under the noses of the Nazis in 1944 -- and featured the only known surviving and operational aircraft of that mission -- Old Number 30!
The event included special cultural presentations honoring the Serbian communities who heroically risked their own lives to make the rescue mission a success. The event was sponsored by the Operation Halyard Foundation in collaboration with CAF Airbase Arizona.
The month of May also honors the 81st anniversary of the critical Battle of Coral Sea, which forever advanced the role of the aircraft carrier and its immense influence in naval warfare. A new exhibit begins installation this month and will be ongoing all summer.
Many more fascinating and fun activities are scheduled in May -- buy an annual pass for unlimited admission for one year!
Saturday, May 13 -- Family Fun Day features the popular Aviation Technology Challenge hosted by the Arizona Civil Air Patrol, two hangars full of airplanes, and a presentation of Operation Chastise. The museum opens at 10 a.m. Special family admission applies $5 per person or $10 for a family of four.
Saturday, May 20 -- 'Hangar Talk' presentation on Grumman Warplanes by docent and retired Navy Captain Rocky Racoosin. The museum opens 10 a.m. and the presentation is at 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 25 -- Annual 'Bomber Send-off' and the museum opens early at 8 a.m. to enable visitors to participate up close to the bomber startup, take-off, and send-off to begin the summer tour season in the western United States. Standard admission applies. Later that day the museum will have a special presentation on how aircraft instruments were developed 'Attitude Instrument Flying,' by docent Tom Leard at 1:30 p.m. Standard admission applies.
Saturday, May 27 -- Presentation 'Tactical Air War' by docents Tom Webster and JK Wight examines how the U.S. entered World War II without tactical air doctrine and developed it while fighting some of the most historic battles in history. The presentation starts at 1 p.m.
The museum is located at 2017 N. Greenfield Rd., Mesa, AZ 85215 (northeast corner of McKellips & Greenfield). Telephone (480) 924-1940. Free parking. Visit their website here for more information.
*About CAF Airbase Arizona: Airbase Arizona Flying Museum, is a unit of the worldwide Commemorative Air Force, and has operated from Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona for over 45 years. The museum provides educational support to schools and universities, exhibits and speaker programs, national tour program and living history flights which are uniquely inspiring and educational experiences for young and old. *
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