Air America Foundation

Air America Foundation Air America Foundation was created to tell the story of the crews and employees of Air America - The world's most shot at airline.

The Story of Air America

Many people have never heard of Air America or it's role in the Vietnam War. It's roots trace back to World War II and the famous All Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers" commanded by famed General Claire Chennault. After the war's end, Chennault and Whiting Willauer organized Civil Air Transport, (CAT), which airlifted food and supplies into mainland China to the Nation

alist Government during the Chinese Civil War that raged into 1946. CAT was a vital airline in the far east for many years and a very successful one at that, flying hundreds of thousands of paid hours. In the late 1950's CAT morphed into Air America and became a secretly owned asset of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This newly formed airline worked throughout Southeast Asia. Although Air America's aircraft were considered civilian, they were still frequently shot at during their missions. The Geneva Accords declared that Laos was "neutral" and off limits to combat operations by the Communists and the Americans, but the North Vietnamese ignored this, and moved men and materials down the Ho Chi Minh Trail enjoying the protection of the Laotian "neutrality". The CIA began working with the pro-democracy Hmong Laotian hill tribes. The Hmong people fought bravely as freedom fighters inside Laos on behalf of the United States. This action became known as "The Secret War" and it lasted until the forced pullout of American forces from Vietnam in 1975. Air America secretly provided transportation and food for the Hmong people inside of Laos. Led by famed General Vang Pao, the Hmong saved countless American lives by damaging the flow of enemy troops and supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Air America served as the air link between the United States and the Hmong, thus providing "plausible deniability" for US involvement in secret military operations in Laos. Covert operations were just one part of the overall profile of Air America. Air America's aircraft flew thousands of hours of humanitarian support missions, rescued thousands of refugees, dropped tons of food, rescued downed American Military Flyers (who were never listed as lost in Laos), all while running a very efficient scheduled airline throughout the far east. Over 240 Air America employees lost their lives during their operations. We are restoring our aircraft and educating people about Air America in tribute to the courage, dedication and devotion of all Air America employees. There will never be another Air America, and it's history shall always demonstrate how the people of Air America proudly lived up to their famous motto "Anything, Anywhere, Anytime...Professionally."

08/31/2020
01/25/2017

The Air America Foundation cannot continue to operate with the few volunteers that are left, not to mention the limited income.

This past Saturday, Larry, Cal and I voted to terminate the Foundation. This was done with great regret on the part of all three of us. But, we all feel there is no other choice.

Since we are a 501c3 non-profit organization, everything will be donated to a like entity. Therefore, after the vote, we met with Norm Daniels, commander of the Valiant Air Command museum. We offered to donate the C-123 along with all the parts, ground support equipment, tools, trailers, conex, etc. We will also donate the remainder of the Foundation's bank account to the VAC. Mr Daniels was excited about our offer, and after consulting with his Board members the donation was accepted.

We will be maintaining the C-123 for another couple of months. The VAC will take possession following the 2017 Warbird airshow.

The C-123 is going to a good home and based on what I have seen at the museum, it will get the attention it deserves.

For me, the experience and camaraderie over the years I have been with the Foundation was very enjoyable. We've had some ups and downs, but overall, it has been a lot of fun.

Thanks to everyone who volunteered over the years, whether it was during the airshow or just a few hours on a Saturday. Thanks to those who followed us on this page.

Yes are still here! The past few weekends, we have been replacing windows in the C-123. Today, we replaced the co-pilo...
06/25/2016

Yes are still here! The past few weekends, we have been replacing windows in the C-123. Today, we replaced the co-pilot's window (aft of the sliding window). I think we have some pics of that operation and they will be posted later. We need volunteers!! If you are in the local area, please stop by and check us out. We will be taking off this coming Saturday for the 4th of July weekend. Everyone have a safe and happy Independence Day!! God Bless America!!

05/22/2016

Most current images: 3/11/16

Display location: Space Coast Regional Airport, Titusville
Display hours: n/a
Admission Charge: There is no admission charge

NOTES
8/30/13: The Air America Foundation's C-123 (the C-7 nose section now resides at the National Vietnam War Museum outside of Orlando) is located on the north western side of the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, FL. There is no museum building and the aircraft is worked on during Saturday mornings. Please see their website or page for further information

Foundation webpage home: http://airamfoundation.org/
Foundation page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Air-America-Foundation/192959744074365

05/14/2016

The crew today: Howard, Larry, Dave, Vi and me (Fred). We installed the dome on the #2 engine prop. That took most of the morning, getting the equipment out and ready, getting the finicky cold-natured generator going to run the crane, etc. Nothing ever goes smoothly, but one more task accomplished!! Lunch was at Kelsey's in Port St John.

05/01/2016

The crew yesterday: Larry, Cal, Barbara, Dave & Vi. I had an appointment and couldn't make it out. They removed and replaced 3 more cargo bay windows. Cal rounded up some nutplates that will be needed to reinstall the left wing flap actuator access panel. I was able to meet Larry, Cal and Barbara for lunch at Dogs R Us in Titusville.

04/16/2016

Today's crew: Howard, Cal, Larry, Dave and me (Fred). Didn't get much accomplished today due to the weather. There was a break in the rain long enough to run the flaps through to check for a hydraulic leak. No leaks noted. It's still a mystery as to where the fluid came from during the airshow. The golf cart has been sold, so we got it loaded onto a trailer for delivery.

Some major decisions need to be made regarding the future of the Air America Foundation. We need more volunteers in order to keep this project going. A few people expressed interest during the airshow, but so far, none have come through. We will keep everyone informed as decisions are made.

04/09/2016

Today's crew: Howard, Cal, Barbara, Larry, Dave and me (Fred). We searched for the source of the hydraulic fluid that was running down the side of the fuselage during the airshow. We removed panels from the top of the wing in the area of the flap actuator and couldn't find a leak anywhere. We're hoping it was just residual fluid from a previous leak. Next Saturday, we will run the hydraulic pump and check it again. It was just too windy today to spend much time on top of the wing trying to get the panels reinstalled. Hopefully, next weekend will be better. We also located 4 additional fuel shut-off valve motors to send to Ponderous Polly. We need volunteers!! If you are in the local area and interested in volunteering, please come out.
Lunch was at Kelsey's in Port St John.

04/03/2016
04/03/2016

Today, we cleaned up around the trailers & conex and removed airshow display items from the C-123. Ended up with a truckload of junk to go to the dump. Larry and Cal ran the forklift and Buda tug. The Buda tug wouldn't start at first, but they found a bad battery cut-off switch. I think everyone was still recovering from the airshow and illnesses that are going around. The crew today: Howard, Cal, Larry, Barbara, Dave and me (Fred).

Photos from Mary Mullally Clark. I think these are from the final day of the airshow.
03/20/2016

Photos from Mary Mullally Clark. I think these are from the final day of the airshow.

Address

Titusville, FL
32780

Opening Hours

9:30am - 12pm

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