Doolittle Tokyo Raiders reunion brings B-25s; backup weather plans announced

Published April 1, 2010

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- As a tribute to the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders during their 68th reunion, the National Museum of the United States Air Force and nearby Urbana, Ohio's Grimes Field will host one of the largest gatherings of B-25 Mitchell bombers since World War II.

Approximately 20 aircraft from around the nation are scheduled to land at Grimes Field beginning April 15. The twin-engine bombers will stage of out of Grimes Field on April 15-16 to practice formation flights, and will offer public rides and static displays.

On the morning of April 17, the B-25s are scheduled to land on the runway behind the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The aircraft will then be placed on static display from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for the public to get an up-close look at each plane and meet the pilots and crews. On April 18 at 1 p.m., the aircraft will take-off from the museum's runway and fly over the museum in a formation flight prior to the Doolittle Raiders Memorial Service in the museum's Memorial Park.

In order to operate the B-25s on the museum's normally closed runway there must be relatively clear weather and a dry runway. If weather conditions prevent the B-25 aircraft from flying to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the aircraft will remain on the ground at Grimes Field and the static display event will be held in Urbana on April 17.

If the static display event takes place at Grimes Field, admission and parking will be free just as it would be at the museum, however, donations will be accepted in order to recover some of the cost Grimes Field would incur from hosting the event. Weather permitting, the B-25 flyover at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force would still take place as scheduled on April 18, with aircraft launching from Grimes Field instead of the runway behind the museum.

The outdoor reunion events are weather contingent and subject to change. A final weather call to determine the event location will be made on Thursday, April 15. The public may visit http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil or call (937) 255-7207 for weather updates.

For more information on the events at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, visit http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/doolittle.asp. For more information on the events at Grimes Field in Urbana, visit http://www.champaignaviationmuseum.org.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free.