Commemorative Air Force The Commemorative Air Force ( CAF ) , formerly known as the Confederate Air Force , is a Texas - based non - profit organization dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft at airshows primarily throughout the U . S . and Canada . The CAF also has extensive aircraft collection on static display at the American Airpower Heritage Museum at Midland International Airport , located in Midland , Texas . History . The origin of the Commemorative Air Force dates back to 1957 , when Lloyd Nolen and four friends purchased a P - 51 Mustang , each sharing in the $ 1 , 500 cost of the aircraft . With the purchase of the Mustang , known as Red Nose , the group was unofficially founded . In 1958 , the group made their second purchase of two Grumman F8F Bearcats for $ 805 each . Along with the P - 51 , this gave the pilots the two most advanced piston - engine fighters to see service with the U . S . Army Air Forces and the United States Navy . In 1960 , the CAF began seriously to search for other World War II aircraft . The CAF Colonels were shocked to find that the aircraft which played such a major role in winning World War II were being rapidly and systematically scrapped as obsolete . No one , not even the Air Force or Navy , was attempting to preserve one of each type of these historic aircraft for display for future generations . The warbirds that remained airworthy were mostly in private hands modified for air racing or had been converted for commercial use as air freighters and aerial firefighters . On September 6 , 1961 , the CAF was chartered as a nonprofit Texas corporation to restore and preserve World War II - era combat aircraft . By the end of the year , there were nine aircraft in the CAF fleet . 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 of museum space . The CAF fleet continued to grow . By the end of the decade , the CAF fleet included medium and heavy bombers such as the B - 25 , B - 17 , B - 24 . In 1971 , they added the world ' s only airworthy B - 29 Superfortress , " Fifi " . The group ' s accomplishments were recognized in 1989 when it became a National Aviation Hall of Fame Spirit of Flight Award winner . The year 1991 marked the beginning of a new era for the CAF with the opening of the new Midland , Texas , headquarters and museum facilities . Since its move to Midland , the group also established the American Airpower Heritage Museum and the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame . Members . Today , the Commemorative Air Force comprises over 11 , 000 members comprising more than 70 regional groups , called wings or detachments , in 27 states and 4 other countries . Several hundred members actively serve as pilots and flight and / or maintenance crew members committed to preserving American combat aviation heritage . The CAF is an all - volunteer organization , made up of members from all backgrounds . Membership is open to all men and women , age 18 or older . Those who are 12 years of age or older , may join as Cadet members . You need not be a veteran nor a pilot to join the CAF . Privately funded and totally self - supporting , the nonprofit , tax - exempt group is dedicated to preserving the military aviation heritage of World War II . Name . The original name , Confederate Air Force , started as a simple tongue in cheek joke , poking fun at the organization ' s ragtag beginnings . As the collection of warbirds at Central Valley Airport in Mercedes , Texas started to grow , someone painted the name on the side of the original P - 51 Mustang " Red Nose " . The name stuck , and it grew to the point where the airport was renamed Rebel Field , all members were called " Colonel s " ( a tradition which still remains ) , and it led to the creation of a fictitious leader named Colonel Jethro E . Culpepper . There was even a humorous CAF twist put to the old AVG Flying Tigers WWII " blood chit " that read , " This foreign person has come to China to help in the war effort . Soldiers and civilians , one and all , should rescue , protect , and provide him medical care . " The CAF version seen on the backs of flight suits and flight jackets stated , " This is a CAF aviator . If found lost or unconscious , please hide him from Yankee s , revive with mint julep and assist him in returning to friendly territory . CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE " . In 2002 it changed its name to Commemorative Air Force after a vote of the membership . Many felt the name Confederate Air Force was confusing , did not accurately reflect the purpose of the organization , and was detrimental to fundraising efforts . This name change was deemed by some fans to be a move of political correctness . The reason for the name change as stated by the organization was " Because the word ' Confederate ' is offensive to some . " Markings . In line with the original nature of the CAF , restored airframes of US origin would bear traditional US ' star - and - bar ' roundel markings on their fuselage and wings , though they would use the Star with Dot on appropriate , pre - war and early - war aircraft . The practice of using a small Confederate flag has since been discontinued after the CAF ' s voluntary name change , though it remains part of their legacy . Exceptions to this are the replicated Japanese aircraft of the " Tora ! Tora ! Tora ! " group , RAF and British Commonwealth aircraft , Special Aircraft , and German Luftwaffe aircraft . Objectives . The main objectives of the CAF are : Aircraft . The CAF operates 150 + aircraft based with over 70 wings , in 27 states and 4 other countries . The entire collection of CAF aircraft is known as the CAF Ghost Squadron . Its aircraft range from the small Stinson L - 5 and Ryan PT - 22 to the giant Boeing B - 29 Superfortress , the Boeing B - 17 Flying Fortress and the Consolidated B - 24A Liberator AM927 . Many of the CAF aircraft are rare - the CAF operates the only flying examples of the historic B - 29 Superfortress and Curtiss SB2C Helldiver . Others , such as the Consolidated B - 24 / LB - 30 Liberator , Bell P - 63 Kingcobra fighter , Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero and SBD Dauntless , are one of only two or three of that type left flying today . The CAF also operates Axis and exotic aircraft such as the Mig 17 Fresco C . Of the over 140 historic aircraft operated by the CAF , about 100 are in flying condition at any given time . Restoration and maintenance of these 50 + year old planes is always ongoing . AIRSHO . AIRSHO is a once - per - year event at Midland International Airport showcasing the CAF ' s aircraft . It is more than just an air show to the CAF . Because its aircraft tend to be spread out over large geographic distances and most Ghost Squadron aircraft rarely fly more than a few hours from their home base , AIRSHO is an opportunity to bring everyone back together again . Ghost Squadron aircraft usually attend AIRSHO every other year . The CAF AIRSHO is the largest warbird airshow in the world , with more than 80 warbirds flying per show . Wings and squadrons . The CAF has many wings and squadrons . 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 . Most CAF units are in the United States , but there are four outside the country .