OUR JOURNEY

Behind every rivet and propeller in our collection lies a story of courage. For over 45 years, the Valiant Air Command Warbird Air Museum has preserved the aircraft that defined America’s most pivotal moments. From early aviation pioneers to WWII dogfighters, our nonprofit mission goes beyond display cases—we keep history alive to honor the pilots, crews, and mechanics who fought for our future. Discover rare classics, one-of-a-kind survivors, and the extraordinary human spirit that built aviation history.

We are proud to be a 501c(3) educational organization that preserves these warbirds to educate citizens about their unique and exciting histories.

Explore our iconic fleet—book your tour or support our mission today!

Meet Our Volunteers

Martin Pring - Procurement Officer

I originally joined Valiant Air Command as a volunteer photographer, combining my passion for aviation and photography to help document the museum, its aircraft, events, and volunteers. Since then, my involvement has grown considerably, and I now serve on the Board of Directors while also helping with VAC’s website, social media, marketing, photography, and aircraft acquisition projects. One of the things I have enjoyed most about volunteering is the incredible range of people I have had the opportunity to meet along the way — pictured right is me meeting legendary F-14 pilot Dale “Snort” Snodgrass. Volunteering at VAC has given me experiences and opportunities I never imagined when I first walked through the door. You don’t need to be an aircraft mechanic or aviation expert to get involved; if you have some time, a skill to share, or simply a passion for aviation and history, I would encourage you to come and join us as a volunteer.

Legendary U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat pilot Dale “Snort” Snodgrass (left) with Martin Pring (right).

Our Journey So Far

1977
VALIANT AIR COMMAND INC. IS FOUNDED
Valiant Air Command, Inc. was established in 1977 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and sharing the history of military aviation and the people who flew, maintained and supported these aircraft.
1988
Tico Belle Comes Home
The museum's future flagship, Douglas C-47 Skytrain 42-100591 “Tico Belle,” arrived at Valiant Air Command in 1988. A genuine D-Day combat veteran, she would become one of the most recognizable aircraft associated with the museum.
2009
Tico Belle Returns to the Air
Following an extensive restoration, Tico Belle returned to flying status in July 2009, ensuring that VAC's flagship remained not simply a static exhibit, but a genuine piece of living aviation history. Contemporary VAC newsletters document the aircraft flying again during the summer of 2009.
Growth of the Museum Campus
Over the following decades, Valiant Air Command steadily expanded beyond its original facilities. A dedicated Restoration Hangar and Vietnam Hangar were added as the collection grew, allowing the museum to display and preserve more than 50 historic aircraft along with thousands of artifacts.
2024
MH-53E Sea Dragon Arrives
One of the largest aircraft ever added to the VAC collection arrived on October 16, 2024. Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon BuNo 163066 joined the museum on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum on behalf of the Naval History and Heritage Command.
July 4th 2026
America’s 250th Birthday
Valiant Air Command marked the United States' 250th anniversary with a special Independence Day celebration and Open Cockpit Day, allowing visitors to experience a number of the museum's historic aircraft in a much more hands-on setting.
June/July 2026
SH-60B Seahawk Joins the Collection
U.S. Navy SH-60B Seahawk BuNo 162137 arrived at Valiant Air Command during the summer of 2026. Following transportation from the National Naval Aviation Museum, the helicopter was reassembled by VAC volunteers before joining the museum's growing collection of naval aircraft.
July 27, 2026
C-2 Greyhound Makes Its Final Flight to VAC
One of the museum's most significant recent acquisitions came when Grumman C-2A Greyhound BuNo 162157, “Rawhide 52,” made its final flight to Space Coast Regional Airport and Valiant Air Command. The aircraft came directly from the U.S. Navy's VRC-40 “Rawhides,” preserving an important part of the Navy's carrier onboard delivery story.

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