WWII Airborne Demonstration Team

Home
United States
Frederick, OK
WWII Airborne Demonstration Team

Founded to Remember, Honor and Serve the Veterans of WWII. Our motto is "Remember, Honor, Serve."

The WWII Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation's mission is to keep the stories of our WWII Airborne alive to inspire others. Our activities are all designed to in some way present to the public a historically accurate view of the men who served during WWII as members of Airborne units across the United States Army. The WWII Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation serves that purpose through the p

articipation of its members in active parachute jumping in the style of the WWII airborne soldier utilizing an aircraft that actually participated in the invasion of Europe. These activities serve to further the memory of their unbending loyalty to the cause of freedom. Further, it is the goal of the Foundation to foster, promote and engage in research of WWII airborne operations and military history and to inform and educate the public through airborne operations demonstrations throughout the United States.

09/02/2026

Home alive in ‘45!

Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945, triggered the last WWII maximum effort. Operation Magic Carpet was one of the greatest achievements of the entire war, lasting just 360 days, it was the largest human repatriation effort in history.

By 1945, the average American service personnel had been overseas for sixteen months; many much longer. Even before Japan surrendered, there was a strong public outcry to bring the boys home by Christmas. Service personnel around the globe hoped for ‘Home alive in ‘45!’

But, how to get millions of men and women from every service branch, scattered across fifty-five theaters of war and spanning four continents home was going to require more effort than a major combat invasion? Initial planning for the operation began in 1943. Due to the lack of transportation, Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, USN, authorized combat ships to be utilized to transport personnel home. Just four days after Japan’s formal surrender, Operation Magic Carpet began. The operation also transported 500,000 former Axis prisoners in Allied prison camps to Europe and Japan. And more than a half-million war brides rode Operation Magic Carpet to the United States. On average Operation Magic Carpet transported 22,222 Americans home every day for nearly one year straight. The American aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) holds the record for personnel brought home. Over multiple voyages, battle-scarred CV-3 returned 29,204 happy veterans to the good ‘ol U-S-of-A!

Operation Magic Carpet transported over eight million American military personnel home from the European, Pacific, and Asian theaters and was completed on September 1, 1946.

08/26/2026

Twice each year, WWII ADT brings history to life through its Parachute School. This summer, from July 18 - 25, seventeen determined students took on a demanding week of training, supported by more than seventy dedicated team members who kept the historic 84-year-old WWII Frederick Army Air Field hangar humming with activity.

The WWII ADT Parachute School follows the syllabus of the US Army WWII airborne training. It is a demanding experience – one that challenges students physically, mentally, and emotionally. But with every obstacle overcome, confidence grows. By the end of the week, students walk a little taller, knowing they are capable of far more than they ever imagined.

That transformation is made possible by an incredible team of volunteers who give their time, energy, and expertise to make the school happen. Instructors worked with students from dawn until lights out, passing along the skills and discipline of WWII airborne training. The Mess Hall team prepared nearly 2,000 meals to fuel students and team members throughout the week. The Parachute Rigger Team managed the use and proper folding of nearly 250 parachutes. The Facilities Team worked tirelessly to repair and improve our historic hangar, preserving it for generations to come.

The Motor Pool kept our WWII vehicles moving – from parachutist pickups on the drop zone (DZ) to the jeeps supporting the DZ Safety Team. Above it all, the Air Wing kept our veteran WWII “Skytrains,” C-47A Boogie Baby and C-49B Wild Kat, ready for jump operations every day.

Every role mattered. Every volunteer made a difference. Together, they created an experience that connects today’s generation with the courage, determination, and sacrifice of those who served in WWII.

Team member and photographer Joe Glyda captured the spirit of the week – from student training on the ground to aerial images from our Yak-3 camera ship and the action on the DZ. Outstanding work, Joe!

And now, it’s your turn. If you’re ready to challenge yourself, train inside a historic WWII facility, jump from a veteran WWII C-47, and honor the legacy of the WWII Airborne tradition, the WWII ADT Parachute School is waiting for you. Step outside your comfort zone. Discover what you’re capable of. Become part of something bigger than yourself.

YOU CAN DO THIS!

Enrollment is now open for the Fall Parachute School, October 9–18, 2026. The 2027 schedule will be announced soon. Visit www.wwiiadt.org to learn more!

08/20/2026

WWII Airborne Demonstration Team will hold our annual Open Hangar Day on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Frederick Army Air Field (Frederick Regional Airport located at 3200 Paul Tibbets Road in Frederick, Oklahoma.)

Open Hangar Day is free, family friendly, and offers a unique opportunity to explore WWII history firsthand and honor the legacy of the nation’s WWII veterans. Frederick, OK and Tillman County have been vital to WWII ADT's success, and this event is our way of saying THANK YOU!"

Event Highlights

Airborne Demonstration:
Weather permitting – visitors will witness WWII-style parachute jumps, reenacted by the team’s trained parachutists.

Aircraft Display:
Our fully restored WWII veteran aircraft C-47 "Boogie Baby" and C-49 “Wild Kat" will be open for tours. Other aircraft will be present.

Military Equipment Display:
Historical WWII military vehicles, weapons, and other equipment will be on display, offering a tangible connection to the era.

Hangar Tours:
Guests can explore the sole remaining historic 84-year-old WWII hangar at the Frederick Army Air Field, which served as a training base for navigators during WWII.

Collecting for Toys for Tots
Please bring a NEW toy to donate to help bring hope to children in need during the Christmas season and make an impact in the lives of disadvantaged children.

See you at OPEN HANGAR DAY 2026!

Drive Time:
Altus/Lawton – 45 minutes
Oklahoma City – 2.5 hours
Wichita Falls – 1 hour
Dallas Ft. Worth – 3 hours

08/16/2026

National Airborne Day, each year on August 16, honors the airborne history of the United States Armed Forces.

August 16, 1940, marks the date of the first official U.S. Army parachute jump at Ft. Benning, Georgia. The successful jump validated the innovative concept of inserting U.S. ground combat forces behind a battle line by parachute. These sky soldiers represent some of the most prestigious and expertly trained forces in the United States Army.

08/14/2026

The 551st—Remembering Its Past. Witnessing Its Future.

Eighty-two years ago this weekend, the men of the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion jumped into Southern France as part of Operation Dragoon.

Today, members of the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team are helping honor that legacy on both sides of the Atlantic.

In Southern France, our members have joined our French counterparts from Airborne Command and others gathered for the annual commemoration of Operation Dragoon. Together, they are jumping again over the ground where American and Allied airborne forces went into combat on August 15, 1944.

Among them 82 years ago were the men of the 551st—the legendary GOYAs.

The 551st had trained in Panama before going to war. From Southern France and the Maritime Alps, they would eventually make their way to the brutal winter fighting of the Battle of the Bulge. After suffering devastating casualties, the battalion was inactivated in January 1945 and its surviving paratroopers were absorbed into the 82nd Airborne Division.

For more than eight decades, the GOYA legacy endured.

Today, a new chapter begins.

At other members of the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team are present as the U.S. Army redesignates Army Security Cooperation Group–South as the 551st Infantry Regiment (Training). At the same time, another ceremony is taking place in Panama—where the story of the original 551st began more than eight decades ago.

The Soldiers of today's 551st have a different mission. But they inherit a remarkable name and a legacy forged by the GOYAs of World War II.

For the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team, it is difficult to imagine a more fitting day. In France, where the 551st fought. At Fort Benning, where another generation of American Soldiers takes up the 551st name. We are grateful to serve the history entrusted to us.

From Panama to Southern France. From the Ardennes to Fort Benning. And now, remarkably, back to Panama.

The 551st marches on.

All The Way

08/10/2026

Our team had a great time at the Offutt AFB Air and Space Show Defenders of Freedom Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base just south of Omaha, Nebraska this weekend.

The Saturday show was cancelled after less than two hours due to storms moving into the area. But, the Sunday show was not affected.

WWII ADT had the honor of lifting the Wings of Blue - USAF Parachute Team for their jump at the opening of the Saturday and Sunday airshows. For the Wings of Blue, it's a special treat to jump from our 1941 Douglas C-49B named 'Wild Kat!' Our aircrew is accustomed to climbing to 1500 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) to drop parachutists. But the Wings of Blue require 6000 feet AGL for their jumps allowing for a longer decent time with the Flag of the United States trailing while the National Anthem is playing. It's always an honor for our team to carry the colors aloft for the show opening jump!

Each day, after the Wings of Blue lift, crowds lined up at Wild Kat for a chance to climb inside and tour the 85-year old WWII veteran aircraft. One of our team photographers, Joe Glyda, captured some of the fun at Offutt. Enjoy the images.

Our next stop is the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow in Colorado Springs the weekend of September 19-20. See you at the airshow!

DC-3 Society

08/08/2026

Our team is at the Offutt AFB Air and Space Show Defenders of Freedom Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base just south of Omaha, Nebraska this weekend. WWII ADT has the honor of lifting the Wings of Blue - USAF Parachute Team for their jump at the opening of the Saturday and Sunday airshows.

For the Wings of Blue, it's a special treat to jump from our 1941 Douglas C-49B named 'Wild Kat!' Our aircrew is accustomed to climbing to 1500 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) to drop parachutists. But the Wings of Blue require 5000 feet AGL for their jumps allowing for a longer decent time with the Flag of the United States trailing while the National Anthem is playing. It's always an honor for our team to carry the colors aloft for the show opening jump!

On the ground, the crowds were good and Wild Kat had a long line for tours. But the show only lasted about 90 minutes before rough weather approaching from the northwest caused the base command to make the correct decision and cancel the airshow to get everyone to safety.

The show is still on for Sunday, August 8 and the weather looks great. See you at the airshow!

DC-3 Society

08/07/2026

National Purple Heart Day is observed annually on August 7th to honor and remember U.S. service members who were wounded or killed in action. It marks the creation of the award, originally called the Badge of Military Merit, established by General George Washington on August 7, 1782.

• George Washington: Created the original badge during the Revolutionary War to honor brave soldiers.
• Revival: Re-established in 1932 on Washington's 200th birthday as the modern Purple Heart.
• Oldest Honor: It is the oldest military decoration in continuous use by the United States.

The Badge of Military Merit is a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk bound with a thin edge of silver with the word merit embroidered in silver across the face. Only three Badges of Military Merit were awarded. The Badge of Military Merit was redesigned and re-commissioned in 1932 by General Douglas McArthur in honor of George Washington’s bicentennial birthday. Now known as the Purple Heart Medal – it is the oldest military award, first being awarded to soldiers in World War I and still given to soldiers today.

A presidential order signed in 1942 permitted the Purple Heart Medal to be awarded to all branches of the military including the U.S. Coast Guard. It was World War II, when the qualification to receive the Purple Heart Medal changed to honor those who were wounded or killed in combat – that is why it’s recipients often call it “the medal that nobody wants”. It is unknown how many soldiers have received the medal, but it is estimated to be between 1.8 to 2 million. However, we know that the soldiers listed below are some of the most awarded Purple Heart Recipients in history:

Robert T. Frederick, U.S. Army: World War II – 8
David H. Hackworth, U.S. Army: Korean War – 3, Vietnam War – 8
Joe Hooper, U.S. Army, Medal of Honor: Vietnam War – 8
Robert L. Howard, U.S. Army, Medal of Honor: Vietnam War – 8
William Waugh, U.S. Army: Vietnam War – 8

It took the Purple Heart medal many years to evolve into what it is today. Today, on the reverse of the medal, “FOR MILITARY MERIT” is inscribed. The medal itself is made of brass with a gold color to it and contains a bust of George Washington and his coat of arms. The purple color represents the blood of all those who have made sacrifices in war, but traditionally it represents the courage of those who serve.

08/04/2026

During our recent summer Parachute School, July 10-18, KOSU journalist Natalie Armour spent a day with the team. Here is her story, enjoy!

Address

Frederick, OK
73542

Telephone

+15803353344

Website

https://www.wwiiadt.org/, https://wwiiadt.org/the-parachute-school

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when WWII Airborne Demonstration Team posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Frederick?