For more information contact: Pete Buffington Event Coordinator (913) 850-1522 [email protected] Amy Lauria Minnesota CAF Communications (651) 373-1185 [email protected] Kim Pardon CAF Communications (913) 636-6250 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE (CAF) ANNOUNCE JANESVILLE WARBIRD WEEKEND 2018 Event in Janesville, Wisconsin July 21-22 features the B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell, AC-47 Gunship, P-51 Mustang, C-47 Skytrain, C-45 Expeditor, and Grumman C1-A. Janesville, Wisconsin, June 1, 2018 − In a gathering of warbirds from the World War II and Vietnam War eras, the CAF is returning to the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport for Janesville Warbird Weekend 2018 in Janesville, Wisconsin the weekend before EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018. The event starts Saturday, July 21, 2018 and will feature B-24 Liberator Diamond Lil; the B-25 Miss Mitchell; the C-47 Skytrain That’s All Brother; the P-51 Mustang Red Nose; the AC-47 Gunship Spooky; and a Grumman C1-A Miss Belle. Other attending aircraft include BT-13 Vultee, a C-45 Expeditor, PT-13 Stearman, two AT-6 Texans, PT-22 Recruit, L-5 Sentinel, KC-135 fuel tanker from the 128th Air Refueling Wing, and an L-29 jet. Many of the airplanes will be available for ground tours and rides. Additional ground tours will include WWII reenactors and vehicles, and the Rockford REACT helicopter. “We are excited to bring the AirPower History Tour to Janesville, Wisconsin,” said Jonathan Oliver, tour manager, of the CAF AirPower History Tour. “The people of southern Wisconsin offered strong support for the 2013 through 2017 events so we are bringing yet another unique show in 2018 for the Janesville, Beloit, Rockford, and Madison area communities to enjoy.” Greg Cullen, Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport manager said, “This is a historic opportunity for the public to view, touch, photograph, climb-through, and even fly in these aircraft at one location. The Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville offers an ideal venue for a show on their way to EAA AirVenture the following week.” A newly restored Douglas C-47 Skytrain That’s All Brother will be flown in by the CAF for tours and air-rides. C-47 That’s All Brother was the leader of the formation that dropped thousands of American paratroopers into Normandy on June 6, 1944, or D-Day, paving the way for the liberation of northern France from Nazi Germany. The event’s main entrance will be in the new terminal building at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport, 1716 W Airport Rd., Janesville, WI 53546. Admission for a single-day ground tour ticket is $10 per person or $20 for families with children under 18. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22. Jeff Skiles, resident of Oregon, Wisconsin and first officer from ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ US Airways Flight 1549 will be present to answer questions about the CAF aircraft and for photo opportunities. Famous Dave’s barbecue, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream - featuring Bombs Away ice cream flavor, Veebo’s wood-fired pizza, WWII re-enactors/vehicles, and CAF warbird merchandise will be available daily. Bessie’s Diner, a new full-service restaurant located in the Janesville terminal, hopes to be open in time for the event, serving breakfast and lunch menu items. Elevation Air, a new flight school and aircraft rental company based in Janesville, will have a Cessna 172 on display and representatives available to answer flight training questions. Best-selling author, Steve Snyder, will be selling autographed copies of his WWII novel Shot Down. Saturday will feature a 100 Beechcraft aircraft formation fly-over enroute to EAA Oshkosh. Warbird ride reservations are recommended in advance and can be made at http://www.JVL18.splashthat.com/. Or, call CAF reservations at (432) 413-4100. Sponsorship of Janesville Warbird Weekend 2018 is provided by – ABC Supply Co. Inc.; Rock Road Companies, Inc.; SC Aviation, Inc.; Singlewire Software, LLC; Burtness Chevy; Glen Erin Golf Course, Best Events Catering, Badger Contractors Rental & Supply, and Bandt Communications. About the CAF AirPower History Tour: The AirPower Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force brings together the aircraft, pilots, and crews from more than 63 CAF units across the country to create the AirPower Squadron – an ever-changing assortment of military aircraft touring together to bring the sights, smells, and sounds of World War II aviation history to audiences across the United States. About the Commemorative Air Force: Collecting, restoring, and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force 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 nonprofit educational association, the CAF has more than 12,000 members and a fleet of more than 160 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 63 units located in 27 states for care and operation. The mission of the Commemorative Air Force is to honor the men and women who built, maintained, and flew in these airplanes during World War II. The organization believes that mission is best accomplished by maintaining the airplanes in flying condition and taking the airplanes to the people allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight. For more information, visit http://www.commemorativeairforce.org. .