Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Flyover

Arsenal of Democracy: World War II FlyoverWashington, DC, May 8, 2015—Seventy years after Allied forces won the world’s freedom in Europe, 56 vintage World War II airplanes celebrated Victory in Europe Day in a tremendous display of airpower and history before a crowd of thousands gathered along the National Mall in Washington, DC.

The Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Victory Capitol Flyover included aircraft flying in 15 historically sequenced formations that represented the major battles of the war, starting with Pearl Harbor and ending with a missing man formation led by Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) in a TBM Avenger, the same model of airplane former President George H.W. Bush flew when he was shot down overseas.

Under a nearly perfect sky, the event honored the men and women who flew and fought in the war, and those at home who manufactured the planes, ships, and tanks that allowed the Allies to secure victory. Among those in attendance for the historic flyover were more than 400 veterans of World War II, drawn to both the commemoration of VE Day and the unprecedented display of vintage military aircraft. For many, it was the first time they had seen these types of airplanes since they saw them over the skies of Europe and the Pacific more than seven decades ago.

The planes flew at 1,000 feet, making them easily visible to onlookers from the ground. A live webcast provided narration about the planes and their role in the battles to Americans across the country. All of the airplanes returned successfully to either Manassas or Culpeper Regional Airport except for one that made a precautionary landing at Reagan National Airport.

The Flyover was months in the planning, with many Federal government agencies providing key support. They included the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, the National Park Service, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the U.S. Secret Service.

“We are thrilled that today’s flights went extremely well and, most importantly, safely,” said the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover Executive Committee, which includes Stephan C. Brown, President and CEO of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF); Pete Bunce, President and CEO of theGeneral Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); John Cudahy, President of the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS); Paul Rinaldi, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA); and Doug Rozendaal of the Texas Flying Legends Museum.

“The owners, pilots, and crew of these aircraft demonstrated an extremely high level of professionalism at every instance, and we thank them, our government partners, our Honorary Co-Chairs, our Honorary Congressional Committee, and especially our sponsors for making today’s event possible. Everyone worked together with the one goal of honoring our nation’s heroes. We hope this unforgettable experience was as meaningful to them as it has been for us.”

Former President George H.W. Bush, former Senator Bob Dole, and former Congressman John Dingell are the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Flyover. The Honorary Congressional Committee Co- Chairs are Senator James Inhofe and Congressman Sam Graves.
Sponsors for the Flyover have generously made this event possible. Exclusive Formation sponsors are Honeywell Aerospace and Northrop Grumman. GE Aviation and Triumph Group, Inc. are Formation Wingmen sponsors. Air & Space magazine/Smithsonian is the Media Partner. ATP (in honor of 14th Air Force Captain William L. Daniels), the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, The Hill, Jet Aviation, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the National Business Aviation Association, and Signature Flight Support are Gold Sponsors.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Airlines for America, Aviall, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Mary and Mason Holland, Jeppesen, Southwest Airlines, Stowers Machinery Corporation, Textron Aviation/Bell Helicopter, the Tracy Forrest Foundation, and UTC Aerospace Systems are Silver Sponsors. The Aircraft Electronics Association, Air Line Pilots Association, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Aspen Avionics, Bombardier Aerospace, Cargo Airline Association, Garmin International, the Godwin Family (in honor of Florence Shutsy Reynolds, W.A.S.P.), Kimberly Consulting, Mach2Management, Inc., McBee Strategic, Ogilvy Government Relations, Piper Aircraft, Rockwell Collins, Spirit AeroSystems, Ultra Electronics ICE, and United Airlines are Brass Sponsors.