History
Located at Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Headquarters in Midland, Texas, the CAF and CAF Airpower Museum share a rich history. In 1961, the CAF was chartered as a nonprofit Texas corporation with the mission of restoring and preserving World War II-era combat airplanes. Over the years, a small museum began to grow as World War II artifacts were donated to the CAF. In 1965, the first museum building was completed at old Rebel Field in Mercedes, Texas. When the CAF and museum moved to Harlingen, Texas in 1968, both continued to grow, and in 1989 the CAF Airpower Museum became an affiliated non-profit to serve as the educational partner to the CAF. The museum moved, along with the CAF in 1991, to Midland, Texas, its current location. Today, the CAF Airpower Museum is dedicated to preserving the complete history of World War II military aviation and the memory of the men and women who built, serviced and flew the historic military aircraft of World War II.
Specialties
The mission of the CAF Airpower Museum is to tell the complete story of World War II military aviation by collecting, preserving, and interpreting World War II material culture. The Museum serves a broad and diverse audience by preserving the memory of the men and women who built, supported, and flew the historic aircraft of World War II through educational programs, exhibits, collections and library research services. The scope of the mission focuses on World War II, and also includes the prelude to World War II, its aftermath and current applications.