The Commemorative Air Force (CAF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to refurbishing and preserving historic combat airplanes, is looking for a new national headquarters location, and the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport has made the final list.

The CAF, currently based out of Midland, Texas, began searching for a new headquarters in May 2013, and recently announced the top eight sites selected from over 25 interested and viable locations. The organization was founded to acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition, a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all U.S. military services and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans.

Below is a picture from the CAF of their B29 that recently flew into Smyrna. 

The CAF National Airbase facility will feature a year-round aviation attraction, house headquarters staff and member-volunteers who will organize and execute an annual warbird airshow and fly-in, and be a base of operations for some of the CAF's most significant flying vintage military aircraft.

“The opportunity of landing this headquarters is tremendous for the airport, Rutherford County and Tennessee,” said Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Executive Director John Black. “The CAF expansion brings with it a significant economic impact in the form of jobs and tourism. We are honored to be among the finalists for this project.”  

Criteria to be among the top eight included items such as location in a major metropolitan area with a minimum population of one million, ease of access to tourists and CAF members through a nearby major international airport, and infrastructure of interstate highways.

Other locations include Alliance Airport (Ft. Worth, Texas), Collin County Airport (McKinney, Texas),

Dallas Executive Airport, Ellington Field Airport (Houston, Texas), Lackland/Kelly Airport (San Antonio, Texas), New Century Airport (Kansas City/Olathe, Kansas), North Texas Regional Airport (Sherman/Dennison, Texas).

The CAF is expected to decide on its new location by the end of the calendar year.

CAF membership originally included mostly World War II veterans, but has now spread across the nation to a more diverse population. Membership is open to all men and women, age 18 and older, and a cadet program is available for those under 18. All members share an interest in preserving and teaching the history of World War II airpower. To learn more and to become a member to show our local support, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.

Since its inception in 2002, Destination Rutherford has been the county leader in economic development, and continues to focus on increased tourism and new business attraction, retention and expansion, while assessing the county’s current and future workforce needs.

The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, which includes the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Destination Rutherford, Economic Development, Workforce Development and the Business Education Partnership, seeks to promote economic development and a quality of life to benefit all residents of Rutherford County. Programs, events and services are offered to both its 1,750 member organizations and non-members. The Chamber operates out of a main office on Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro, which also houses the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, and has branch offices in Smyrna, La Vergne and Eagleville. Learn more at www.rutherfordchamber.org.