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The Tampa Bay Wing takes pride in its partnerships with Trig Avionics, Lakeland Linder Airport, Sun-N-Fun Aerospace Expo, SheltAir Aviation, and Double M Aviation. The support from our partners enabled the Tampa Bay Wing to manage two aircraft assignments within a year. Precious, a Fairchild PT-19, and Ike's Bird, an L-26B Aero Commander, are now housed in our hangar at Sun-N-Fun.

The Tampa Bay Wing is home to Ike's Bird, the 1955 Aero Commander L-26B, a former Air Force One for President Eisenhower.



At the Tampa Bay Wing,

The Sky is not our limit,

It is our Destination!





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The Tampa Bay Wing received official Wing status in January 2023. In May of 2024, we received our first aircraft assignment, a 1942 Fairchild PT-19 Primary Trainer. This is the aircraft that all WWII pilots trained in, including the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, WASP. Our PT-19, Precious, was stationed at Avenger Field, the WASP training base. In February 2025, we accepted our second aircraft assignment, Ike's Bird, a 1955 Aero Commander L26-B. This aircraft has had the call sign Air Force One. Two aircraft assignments in less than two years is quite the accomplishment. In 2024, the Tampa Bay Wing was the fastest-growing Unit in the CAF, 49%. Come join us and preserve aviation history.

HomeAirplane
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The PT-19, N53656, holds a profound place in American military history. It was part of a series of airplanes known as Primary Trainers, which played a pivotal role in the training process for United States military pilots. These pilots would eventually progress to flying more advanced airplanes such as the P-38, P-40, P-47, P-51, and the Corsair fighters, B-17 and B-24 bombers, or the C-47 military transport used to drop Airborne troops in World War II. Come fly in the PT-19 and return to the purity of flying. Visit our Ride Program page for details.

Ride Programs
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Ike’s Bird, a historic L-26 Aero Commander twin-engine aircraft used by the Eisenhower White House, is now owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force-Tampa Bay Wing. The Aero Commander has the distinction of being the smallest airplane ever to carry the call sign Air Force One.  Sit in the back and imagine that you are the President or sit in the right front seat for an upfront view the pilot sees.  President Eisenhower sat in both seat, he was a license pilot and enjoyed taking the controls of Ike's Bird.
Check our Ride Program page for more details.