Airbase Georgia Featured in Story Honoring the State’s 300,000 WWII Veterans

PEACHTREE CITY, GA (May 5, 2025) – CAF Airbase Georgia, a founding partner of the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail, is featured in the May 2025 issue of Georgia Magazine, which highlights the Trail’s role in preserving the legacy of the Greatest Generation, including more than 300,000 Georgians who served during World War II.

The article, titled “Georgia’s WWII Heritage Trail Honors State’s Wartime Legacy,” offers a comprehensive look at the Trail’s historic sites and museums working together to connect new generations with the state’s World War II contributions—from aviation training and combat service to shipbuilding and home front support. Georgia Magazine reaches more than two million readers monthly, making it one of the most widely circulated publications in the state.

“This feature in Georgia Magazine will help more Georgians discover their connection to the state’s World War II history,” said Ed Coleman, Chair of the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail. “It reminds us that preserving this legacy is a responsibility we all share—not just to honor the past, but to educate the future.”

CAF Airbase Georgia, based at Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field in Peachtree City, represents the Trail’s living aviation history component. The all-volunteer organization operates a fleet of seven fully restored and operational World War II aircraft, including the iconic P-51 Mustang and FG-1D Corsair, as well as a rare SBD Dauntless, all maintained and flown by volunteers.

“Our mission is to honor the Greatest Generation through the sights, sounds, and stories of America’s wartime aviation history,” said Joel Perkins, Leader of Airbase Georgia. “We are proud to be part of this Trail and to help history come alive for visitors of all ages.”

The article’s publication comes at a pivotal time, as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. With fewer than 65,000 WWII veterans still living, efforts like the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail—and features that broaden its audience—are crucial for sustaining public interest and historical memory.

Airbase Georgia offers flight demonstrations, hangar tours, and living history days to educate students, families, and veterans. One of its signature aircraft, the PT-19 Cornell, was used to train the Tuskegee Airmen.  The aircraft is the same type flown by Cornelia Fort, the first female pilot to die on active duty in American history.

“Every aircraft we fly has a story,” added Perkins. “When visitors see and hear these machines in action, they gain a real appreciation for the men and women who served—often at great personal risk—during one of the most important periods in our history.”

The public is invited to see Airbase Georgia’s collection of WWII aircraft at an Open House May 10, 10am-4pm.  The program is dedicated to the 80^th Anniversary of VE Day.

The Georgia WWII Heritage Trail was launched in 2021 to foster public engagement with Georgia’s World War II story. In addition to Airbase Georgia, Trail sites include the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, National POW Museum, Camp Toccoa at Currahee, WWII Flight Training Museum, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Museum of Aviation, World War II Home Front Museum, National Infantry Museum, Thomaston Goes to War, Currahee Military Museum, and St Marys Submarine Museum.

To read the article see the Georgia Magazine digital edition here.  For information on the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail and a map of participating sites, visit www.georgiawwiitrail.org.

About the CAF Airbase Georgia
CAF Airbase Georgia, based in Peachtree City, Ga., was founded in 1987. The Airbase is one of the largest units of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The group maintains and flies seven vintage military aircraft including a P-51 Mustang, an FG-1D Corsair, an SBD Dauntless, a P-63A Kingcobra, an LT-6 Mosquito, a PT-19 Cornell and a T-34 Mentor. The Airbase, composed of more than 300 volunteer members, is a founding partner of the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail, launched in 2021. The Airbase is part of the CAF, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that relies on contributions of time and funds to conduct its mission. For more information, go to https://airbasegeorgia.org/.