PEACHTREE CITY, GA (June 18, 2025) – Free tickets are still available for a special June 28 screening of Crosswinds: The Courageous Life of Cornelia Fort, a new documentary celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of pioneering aviator Cornelia Fort. Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia, the largest World War II flying museum in Georgia and one of the largest in the Southeast, will host the screening at 6 p.m. in its Warbird Museum hangar, 1200 Echo Ct., Peachtree City, GA, 30269 (adjacent to the Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field). Ticket reservations are available on the Airbase website, www.cafairbasegeorgia.com.

The event marks one of two regional screenings so far scheduled for 2025. The film premiered April 26 at the National WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) WWII Museum’s 20^th anniversary Homecoming celebration in Sweetwater, Texas. Following three years of in-depth research and production, Redwood Educational Technologies unveils Cornelia’s thirst for knowledge, dedication to excellence in the air, and a zest for life that defined her short life. A special trailer highlighting the film may be viewed here.

“The evening will be a festive movie night, complete with exhibits by Kelly’ Zeroes, showing the WWII homefront, and by the WASP. The entire family will enjoy popcorn, CAF merchandise, dog-tag making, and a step back in time as we try to recreate a 1940s movie experience,“ said Airbase Leader Joel Perkins. Airbase Georgia operates a restored Fairchild PT-19 Cornell, one of the same model aircraft Cornelia flew during her service. The aircraft will be on display during the screening.  

Cornelia Fort, born in 1919, was an aviation trailblazer. After earning her commercial pilot’s license in 1941, she trained pilots as part of the Civilian Pilot Training Program, first in Colorado and then in Hawaii. On Dec. 7, 1941, while in flight with a student over Honolulu, she narrowly escaped death as the Pearl Harbor attack began – becoming an unintentional participant in one of the most important events in 20^th century history.

Determined to serve her country, Cornelia became the second woman accepted into the newly formed Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in September 1942. She died tragically in a mid-air collision in 1943 while delivering a military aircraft to Dallas, Texas, the first female pilot to die while on active duty with the U.S. Army.

“This film is a tribute to Cornelia’s extraordinary courage, both in the air and on the ground, as she respectfully challenged the norms of the day for young women,” said Judy S. Miller, writer, producer, and founder of Redwood Educational Technologies. “It’s a privilege to partner with Airbase Georgia for this screening, as we both share a deep commitment to preserving World War II aviation history.”

Appearing in the documentary are two of Cornelia’s nieces – Chloe Fort and Leontine Fort Linton Lapointe – and Dudley Fort, Jr., Cornelia’s nephew. Cornelia’s great-great-niece is the voice of Cornelia. Also appearing in the film, and in person at the Airbase Georgia event to participate in a panel discussion following the screening, is Leslie Sargent, retired FAA inspector. Judy has consulted with Sargent to solve unanswered questions about the Interstate Cadet Cornelia flew in Hawaii and her BT-13 accident.

“The mission of Airbase Georgia and the Commemorative Air Force is to educate, inspire and honor,” said Perkins. “Hosting the screening helps us preserve the story and legacy of Cornelia Fort and the Greatest Generation.”

Following the screening, the documentary will be available for streaming at www.stories250.com.

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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, an LT-6 Mosquito, a P-63A Kingcobra, a PT-19 Cornell and a T-34 Mentor. Under restoration are an N2S Stearman and P-47 Thunderbolt. 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/.

About Redwood Educational Technologies

For more than 20 years, Judy Miller, founder and editor, has been developing original educational content, based on proven principles of learning and current events, to motivate students to learn. Following her 2009 visit to Normandy, France, to cover the 65^th anniversary of D-Day, she forged a commitment to keep World War II history alive for people of all ages. As the nation plans to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Redwood Educational Technologies is launching a new website for students and adults alike at www.stories250.com to stream documentaries, new original content and its extensive archive.