Air & Space Forces Association to hold Doolittle Raiders Memorial Toast

ARLINGTON, Va.(April 15, 2026)—The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) will host the 2026 Doolittle Raiders Memorial Toast, a time-honored Air Force heritage event marking the 84th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid, the first U.S. air strike on the Japanese home islands following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The 2026 memorial toast continues a decades long tradition established by Gen. Jimmy Doolittle and the Doolittle Raiders, honoring their courage, innovation, and enduring impact on American airpower, while also highlighting the service members who continue the long range strike legacy in modern operations.

The event will be livestreamed globally, allowing Air Force units, veterans, families, media, and audiences worldwide to observe and participate virtually. This year’s event will feature keynote remarks from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach.

About the Doolittle Memorial Toast Organized by AFA’s Doolittle Leadership Center (DLC), the memorial toast continues a tradition established by Gen. Jimmy Doolittle and his fellow Raiders after the Second World War. Originally an annual reunion, the ritual evolved into a solemn tribute to those who passed during the year, concluding with the toast: “To those who have gone.” Following the death of the final surviving Raider in 2019, AFA expanded this tradition into a global observance, linking generations of Airmen and Guardians through shared heritage.

The 1942 Doolittle Raid—launched by 80 volunteers in B-25 bombers from the USS Hornet—delivered a critical morale boost only months after the attack on Pearl Harbor and demonstrated the reach of American airpower. This annual ceremony honors the Raiders’ bravery and connects their legacy to the dedication every Airmen and Guardian demonstrates daily. The event is a flagship of the DLC’s mission, “Building Better Leaders,” which promotes leadership development in the enduring principles embodied by Gen. Doolittle—integrity, innovation, and courage.

About AFA The Air & Space Forces Association is an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 association dedicated to advocating for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on air and space power. With more than 350,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air Force and Space Force as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air and Space Forces.