MIDLAND, TEXAS (Aug. 23, 2010) –On Mon., Aug. 23, 2010, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) announced a new alliance that will help bring attention to the VAC cause, transporting wounded U.S. service members and their families. The recently announced CAF Red, White & Loud Tour starring Aaron Tippin and the CAF’s B-29 FIFI will be an opportunity for the VAC’s mission to be shared with audiences across the country.
“We will be using our veteran airplanes to raise awareness of the Veterans Airlift Command mission, joining the past with the present,” said CAF President/CEO Stephan Brown. “We are honored to be part of VAC’s noble cause to support the wounded U.S. service men and women. The CAF’s Red, White and Loud Tour will lend its voice to tell the story of VAC, helping to recruit new pilots and support across the country.”
"While providing free air transportation to our wounded warriors is our primary mission, we are thrilled to associate with the CAF in order to expand awareness to the aviation and military communities,” said Founder/CEO and Air Boss of VAC, Walter L. Fricke. “Our mission succeeds because of the generous financial support of Patriotic Americans and the "in-kind" support of our volunteer pilots and aircraft owners. The CAF’s Red White and Loud Tour brings this all together to the right audience with a proud historical perspective. This alliance will connect patriots from the past to those of the present in a wholly unique, effective and compelling way."
The first stop of the CAF’s Red, White & Loud Tour will be in Denver, Colo. at the Colorado Sport International Air Show and Rocky Mountain Regional Fly-In, Sat., Aug. 28, 2010. This stop will feature the CAF’s B-24A Liberator Ol’ 927 along with CAF National Spokesman Aaron Tippin. During the concert, Tippin will talk about the VAC’s mission and introduce U.S. service member families who received transportation through VAC.
At each future stop of the CAF’s Red, White & Loud Tour, Aaron Tippin will introduce audiences to the mission of VAC and encourage them to donate. Pilots and individuals with private aircraft will be encouraged to join the cause by volunteering their time and resources to transport Wounded Warriors and their families.
Sponsors of the Red, White & Loud Tour will be supporting not only the tour and the Commemorative Air Force, but also the Veterans Airlift Command. The VAC will receive a portion of sponsorship funds in an effort to increase the organizations reach and capabilities.
About the VAC:
The Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) provides free air transportation to wounded warriors, veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots.
Imagine a U.S. service member returning home from combat, facing devastating injuries and long term hospitalization in a facility hundreds of miles away from his or her family. VAC is an organization that brings wounded warriors and their families together in times such as these.
VAC’s priority is on the veterans of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). For more information, visit www.veteransairlift.org or call (952) 582-2911.
About the CAF’s Red, White & Loud Tour starring Aaron Tippin & the CAF’s B-29 FIFI:
The Commemorative Air Force and country music star/patriot Aaron Tippin have launched the CAF’s Red, White & Loud Tour celebrating America’s freedom through song and the roaring radial engines of one of the world’s most famous warbirds. At each tour stop, one of the CAF’s famous warbirds will arrive with Aaron Tippin aboard. Once qualified, Aaron will begin co-piloting the aircraft to future stops. Audiences of the CAF’s Red, White & Loud Tour will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Aaron perform such songs as Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagles Fly and You’ve Got to Stand For Something in front of one of America's national treasures, a historic warbird! For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org or call (432) 563-1000.
About the CAF:
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 8,000 members and a fleet of 156 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 74 units located in 27 states for care and operation. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org or call (432) 563-1000.
