About Us
What is the CAF New York Wing?
The New York Wing is the regional representative of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) for the New York metropolitan area. The CAF is the world's largest flying museum and operates in a unique, decentralized structure that allows Units to pursue warbird rides, pilot sponsorship, airshow appearances, and other specialized ways of supporting their historic aircraft. This means that while you can't always come visit us at our home base, we keep our airplane flying around the region to bring it to you! We are all volunteers and welcome those who want to join us and get involved!
CAF and NYCAF History
The Commemorative Air Force was founded in 1957 in Harlingen, TX by Lloyd Nolen and four friends, who bought a World War II veteran P-51 Mustang, named Red Nose, for $1,500. In the 1960s, they began to pursue the acquisition of each of the major World War II aircraft. By the 1970s, the CAF had begun to structure itself as a network of "franchises," and in 1991, moved its Headquarters to Midland, TX, then to Dallas, TX in 2014, where they built the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center.
​
Today, the CAF is well-known as the world's largest flying museum, with a fleet of more than 180 airworthy aircraft and thousands of members, spread out across more than 80 Units around the country.
The New York Wing was founded as the Hudson Valley Wing in July 2023 by a team led by Luc Zipkin, and formally chartered through the New Unit Initiative in February 2024. Headquartered at Hudson Valley Regional Airport (KPOU) in Wappingers Falls, NY, the New York Wing officially represents the CAF in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. In June 2024, we took delivery of our 1943 Fairchild PT-26B Cornell, N9474H, which was generously assigned to us by CAF Headquarters. In August 2024, the Hudson Valley Wing was renamed the New York Wing to better reflect our geographical service area.
​
Our mission is to educate, honor, and inspire the next generation on America's military aviation history through the safe operation of our historic aircraft, our educational programming, and social events.
