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Commemorative Air Force Aircraft Leads Navy to Victory Tour

Vintage Warbird Ready 4 Duty to Make 12,000-Mile Trip to Europe

DALLAS (January 28, 2025) – To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II, Ready 4 Duty, a historic U.S. Navy World War II-era aircraft operated by the Dallas-based Commemorative Air Force (CAF), is embarking on a transatlantic journey from Texas to Europe to honor the service and sacrifice of American and Allied sailors.

Ready 4 Duty’s ambitious 12-week, 12,000-mile Navy to Victory Tour, which runs from April through July, includes appearances at over a dozen aviation and ceremonial events across the southern and eastern U.S., Iceland, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands.

“Safely operating an eighty-year-old aircraft for such an extended journey is no mean feat,” said Christopher Volpe, Navy to Victory Tour’s lead coordinator. “But helping to build a lasting legacy for veterans makes all of the preparations and sacrifices worth it.”

According to Volpe, the advancing age of World War II veterans, the youngest of whom are now ninety-seven, factored heavily into the decision to conduct this intercontinental tour. “The window to honor these men and women while they’re still with us is closing rapidly,” said Volpe. “For them, their families, and society at large, we’re committed to paying tribute to them on this 80th Anniversary of the Allied victory.”

The iconic aircraft will also transport artifacts from surviving U.S. World War II-era warships, such as U.S.S. Yorktown, Battleship Texas, and U.S.S. Laffey, during the Navy to Victory Tour. The exhibition, assembled specifically for this tour, marks the first time that artifacts from so many U.S. World War II warships are publicly displayed together.

“The Navy to Victory Tour is a heartfelt tribute to the countless Allied sailors and airmen who served with courage and conviction during the Second World War,” said CAF President/CEO David Oliver. “This commemorative mission embodies the transatlantic bonds forged in the fight for freedom and remain a cornerstone of our shared history.”

About *Ready 4 Duty*
Built in 1944, Ready 4 Duty is a Douglas R4D-6S, the U.S. Navy’s version of the legendary DC-3 and C-47. The last of its kind still flying, the aircraft is a centerpiece of the Dallas/Fort Worth Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of World War II aviation. Learn more at www.dfwwing.com.

About Commemorative Air Force (CAF)
Founded in 1957, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of military aviation. With an airworthy fleet of over 180 vintage military aircraft—the largest flying collection in the world—the CAF brings history to life through flight and immersive living history experiences. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the CAF operates numerous locations nationwide, all united by a shared mission: to Educate, Inspire, and Honor. Each year, through the efforts of thousands of volunteers, the CAF’s educational programs engage an estimated 20 million Americans, offering hands-on access to history that is both unique and impactful. Learn more at www.commemorativeairforce.org.


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