WWII Airborne Demonstration Team

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WWII Airborne Demonstration Team

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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 participation 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.

10/17/2026

Our OPEN HANGAR DAY is this Saturday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.!

Today, we organized the toys that have been collected for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Thanks to the October Parachute School Class 26-2 matching what WWII ADT raised for toy purchasing, we have a record amount of toys to donate this year! Remember to bring a new toy when you come to Open Hangar Day this Saturday!

Our annual October Parachute School is underway this week, October 9-17, at our historic 84-year old WWII hangar at the old Frederick Army Air Field in Frederick, Oklahoma. It has been a hectic week as 25 students, supported by more than 80 team members, conduct training and jump operations throughout the week.

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 and Tillman County have been vital to WWII ADT's success and this event is our way of saying THANK YOU!"

The weather Saturday is forecasted to be sunny and cool with the start of the event around 50 degrees warming to the mid-sixties.

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 Marine Toys for Tots Foundation:
Please bring a NEW toy to donate for children in need during the Christmas season and make an impact in the lives of disadvantaged children in Tillman County.

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 – @2.5-3 hours

ADDRESS:
Frederick Army Air Field (Frederick Regional Airport located at 3200 Paul Tibbets Road in Frederick, Oklahoma.)

10/12/2026

Our OPEN HANGAR DAY is this Saturday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.!

Our annual October Parachute School is underway this week, October 9-17, at our historic 84-year old WWII hangar at the old Frederick Army Air Field in Frederick, Oklahoma. It has been a hectic week as 25 students, supported by more than 80 team members, conduct training and jump operations throughout the week.

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 and Tillman County have been vital to WWII ADT's success and this event is our way of saying THANK YOU!"

The weather Saturday is forecasted to be sunny and cool with the start of the event around 50 degrees warming to the mid-sixties.

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:
Collecting for Marine Toys for Tots Foundation:
Please bring a NEW toy to donate for children in need during the Christmas season and make an impact in the lives of disadvantaged children in Tillman County.

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 – @2.5-3 hours

ADDRESS:
Frederick Army Air Field (Frederick Regional Airport located at 3200 Paul Tibbets Road in Frederick, Oklahoma.)

09/27/2026

John Mulcahy is one of our team members and enjoys the history of WWII. He also has a knack for photography.

John came across a 1938 Kodak Retina Type 141 35mm camera and ran a few rolls of black and white film through the 88-year-old camera during our most recent Parachute School in July.

The results are truly unique and give a 'WWII era' feel to the activities at the Frederick Army Air Field during one of our Parachute Schools.

If you have a sense of adventure and are looking for a challenge, consider attending the WWII ADT Parachute School at our historic WWII facility. The training is rigorous and rewarding. You'll jump from one of our WWII veteran 'Skytrains' and find out a little something about yourself that will cause you stand taller. What a great way to honor our veterans by training as they did, jump as they did...and keep their history alive.

For more information, visit our website:
www.wwiiadt.org

09/21/2026

This weekend, our C-49B 'Wild Kat' performed at the 2026 Pikes Peak Regional Airshow held at the Colorado Springs Airport. Thirteen team members supported the airshow.

We were honored to lift the Wings of Blue - USAF Parachute Team both days to start the airshow. And our aircraft was toured by hundreds of fans each day of the airshow. We even loaded the 85-year-old Wild Kat full of media for a flight on Friday.

Thanks for the great time, Colorado Springs!

Next stop for Wild Kat will be the WWII ADT October Parachute School the week October 9-17 where she support parachute operations throughout the week. WWII ADT will host a free OPEN HANGAR DAY the last day of the Parachute School on October 17 from 8:00am to 3:00pm. The public is welcome to visit our historic hangar, see military displays, watch airborne drops (weather permitting), and tour our WWII veteran aircraft C-47 ' Boogie Baby' and 'Wild Kat.'

Visit this link to find out more:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1047368948263482

Photos: Joe Glyda

09/17/2026

82-years ago – Saluting a Gamble

Eighty-two years ago today, Allied paratroopers and glider regiments descended into the Netherlands in one of the most daring airborne operations of WWII. The risks were enormous, the cost was high, and the outcome fell short of its aggressive goal. Yet from that crucible came enduring lessons of courage, sacrifice, and what is needed to manage battle operations in a complex cross-Allied environment – lessons still applied today.

Staff Sergeant Joe Kitchener of the British Glider Pilot Regiment later reflected: “It seemed like a good idea at the time. It was a gamble - some you win, some you lose. We lost that one.”

The scale of the airborne commitment was staggering, nearly 35,000 troops (20,000 by parachute and nearly 15,000 by glider). Supporting them were nearly 1,500 C-47 Dakotas, 321 converted RAF bombers, and more than 3,100 gliders - Wacos, Horsas, and Hamilcars.

The operation’s failure stemmed from over-ambition. Allied planners sought to push a single armored corps up a narrow highway while airborne forces held bridges far ahead of schedule – without a Plan B. Strong German resistance, including two SS Panzer divisions near Arnhem, combined with poor intelligence and delays on the ground, left the airborne at a severe disadvantage. The British 1st Airborne suffered especially, with 7,500 casualties out of an estimated 15,300-17,200 Allied losses overall. Logistical bottlenecks, communication breakdowns, and the inability to relieve Arnhem in time turned a bold gamble into a costly setback.

As General Jim Gavin (pictured) reflected: “Mistakes will be made. Only this way do we learn. We will never progress in the tactical evolution that must be taking place without making mistakes. Mistakes are part and parcel of the progress.”

Today we honor all who served in Operation Market Garden – especially the Allied airborne divisions and the Troop Carrier Command who delivered them. Their bravery and brotherhood remain an inspiration.

Photo, General "Jumpin' Jim" James M. Gavin,
82nd Airborne Division.

82nd Airborne Division Historical Society
82nd Airborne Division

09/16/2026

Our Open Hangar Day is just a month away!

WWII Airborne Demonstration Team will hold our annual Open Hangar Day on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:00 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

Wichita Mountains Life

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!

08/16/2026

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.

Address

Frederick, OK
73542

Telephone

+15803353344

Website

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

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