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63rd AAF-FTD reunion to return to Douglas

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63rd AAF-FTD reunion to return to Douglas Photo courtesy, wwiiflighttraining.org

The City of Douglas Public Information Department, 63rd Preservation Society, and Airbase Preservation Committee are proud to announce the cadets from the 63rd Army-Air Force Flight Training Detachment will return to Douglas for their reunion Oct. 19–22, 2016. Plans are underway to create another memorable reunion for these cadets and their families.

During World War II, the Raymond Richardson Aviation Company established the 63rd Army Air Force Flight Training Pilot School which trained over 10,000 cadets on combative flight skills and experiences.  The historic base is located in the Gene Chambers Douglas Municipal Airport and is the most intact World War II civilian primary flying training center in the United States.  Many of the buildings, the field, and hangars are the same as they were during World War II.  The instructor barracks is now home to the World War II Flight Training Museum and exhibits artifacts from the 63rd’s training days.

Many activities are planned during their stay beginning with a Welcome to Douglas dinner on Thursday at the Douglas Golf & Country Club.  The American Legion Post 515 will host a luncheon for the cadets on Friday with entertainment provided by CHS Show Choir Sound F/X. 

Saturday will be a day full of fun at the Airbase, which includes an Airbase Open House that will be held on Saturday, October 22, from 10a.m. to 2 p.m.

During the Airbase Open House, tours of the Airbase and WWII Flight Training Museum will be offered free of charge to the public.  The Airbase Preservation Committee will be on hand selling limited edition “Airbase Scenes” metallic art prints by Dylan Ross and selling WWII Flight Training Museum t-shirts. Cadets will enjoy flying over Douglas with PT-17 flights complimentary of the 63rd Preservation Society. 

If weather and time permits, as a fundraiser for the 63rd Preservation Society, (5) PT-17 flights will be offered to the public at a cost of $100 per flight.  To pre-register for public flights, please call 912-383-0277.  If time does not permit public flights, the pre-registration flight fee ($100) will be refunded. The 63rd Preservation Society will also be selling $50 raffle tickets for an M400-AR15 or $1,000 cash.  To purchase a raffle ticket, contact the World War II Museum at (912) 383-9111.

To close the day and reunion, cadets and their families will be treated to a private luncheon hosted by the 63rd Preservation Society with entertainment provided by Mr. Fred Hand, followed by more PT-17 flights if weather and time permits. 

Local businesses are encourage to show support during the Reunion in Douglas. To show support, businesses may display the following message on their marquee sign during the week of October 17–22: “Welcome 63rd A.A.F. – F.T.D.”

Special thanks to event sponsors: City of Douglas, 63rd Preservation Society, Airbase Preservation Committee, Sunbelt Greenhouses, and the American Legion Post 515.

For more information on the 63rd AAF-FTD Reunion or to help sponsor this event, please contact the Public Information Department at (912)383-0277.  For more information on the World War II Flight Training Museum, please contact (912) 383-9111 or visit their website at http://wwiiflighttraining.org.

- Submitted

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