CAF MEMBERSHIP CONSIDERING PROPOSAL TO CHANGE GROUP'S NAME

Midland, Texas (May 13, 2000) - The membership of the Confederate Air Force (CAF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of World War II aviation history, is considering a proposed amendment to its Constitution that would change its name. The CAF, with more than 8,000 members in 27 states and four countries, has retained its original name since its inception in 1957.

Currently, many members are of the opinion that the name does not accurately reflect the primary objectives of the organization which are: 1) to restore, maintain, and fly World War II aircraft; 2) to maintain museum facilities for aircraft as a tribute to the thousands of men and women who built, serviced, and flew the planes; and 3) to perpetuate in the memory and the hearts of all Americans, the spirit in which these great planes were flown in the defense of this nation.

The proposed change was first discussed in July 1999 at the CAF Summer Advisory Board Conference and again at the Wing Staff Conference in February 2000. The conferences, which were held at the international headquarters of the organization in Midland, Texas, were attended by representatives from various units that comprise the CAF.

This most recent proposed amendment is part of an ongoing organizational restructuring that began nearly 20 years ago. In 1983, the American Airpower Heritage Foundation was established to benefit the CAF and its museums. Later, in 1989, the organization's museum and flying museum were renamed the American Airpower Heritage Museum (AAHM) and the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, respectively. The AAHM, which was accredited by the American Association of Museums in 1997, is located at the 45-acre Headquarters complex in Midland. The flying museum consists of more than 140 aircraft located throughout the United States.

The CAF unit leaders will make a specific recommendation to the Board of Directors (General Staff) concerning the proposed name change at the upcoming CAF Summer Advisory Board meeting in July. If their recommendation is to change the organization's name, an amendment to the Constitution will be required.

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