Connor Squadron’s WWII-era planes take to the skies at Van Nuys Airport

The fearless fliers of the Connor Squadron recently took to the skies at Van Nuys Airport in authentic WWII North American AT-6 airplanes at a fundraiser honoring two of their late members who died while flying.

Squadron members fly the vintage airplanes in parades, celebrations and memorials to recognize the sacrifices and heroism of America’s WWII veterans and those who have served America over the years. On June 15, they held their “Keep ’em Flying” fundraiser to ensure the nonprofit has the funding to keep their aging aircraft airborne.

Members of the Connor Squadron, a nonprofit organization founded in 1962, perform an aerial demonstration as part of the “Keep ’em Flying” fundraiser and tribute event at Van Nuys Airport on June 15, 2024 (Jerry Cowart Original Fine Art Photography, member of the Condor Squadron)

Members of the Connor Squadron, a nonprofit organization founded in 1962, perform an aerial demonstration as part of the “Keep ’em Flying” fundraiser and tribute event at Van Nuys Airport on June 15, 2024 (Jerry Cowart Original Fine Art Photography, member of the Condor Squadron)

Members of the Connor Squadron, a nonprofit organization founded in 1962, perform an aerial demonstration as part of the “Keep ’em Flying” fundraiser and tribute event at Van Nuys Airport on June 15, 2024 (Jerry Cowart Original Fine Art Photography, member of the Condor Squadron)

Members of the Connor Squadron, a nonprofit organization founded in 1962, perform an aerial demonstration as part of the “Keep ’em Flying” fundraiser and tribute event at Van Nuys Airport on June 15, 2024 (Jerry Cowart Original Fine Art Photography, member of the Condor Squadron)

Members of the Connor Squadron, a nonprofit organization founded in 1962, perform an aerial demonstration as part of the “Keep ’em Flying” fundraiser and tribute event at Van Nuys Airport on June 15, 2024 (Jerry Cowart Original Fine Art Photography, member of the Condor Squadron)

Members of the Connor Squadron, a nonprofit organization founded in 1962, perform an aerial demonstration as part of the “Keep ’em Flying” fundraiser and tribute event at Van Nuys Airport on June 15, 2024 (Jerry Cowart Original Fine Art Photography, member of the Condor Squadron)

Members of the Connor Squadron, a nonprofit organization founded in 1962, perform an aerial demonstration as part of the “Keep ’em Flying” fundraiser and tribute event at Van Nuys Airport on June 15, 2024 (Jerry Cowart Original Fine Art Photography, member of the Condor Squadron)

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This year’s event was dedicated to longtime squadron president Chris Rushing of Thousand Oaks and former squadron pilot Randy Sherman of Los Angeles — both had a profound passion for aviation and community service, and both died while flying.

Rushing led the Condor Squadron in its mission to preserve military aviation heritage for years, flying hundreds of memorial flights in honor of veterans and in support of  community causes. Tragically, Rushing died in a midair collision at the National Championship Air Races in Reno in September 2023.

Sherman, a noted plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, sadly died in July 2023 after an engine failed on his Cessna airplane in New Mexico. In addition to flying with the Condor Squadron formation team, Sherman was a board member for the Santa Monica Museum of Flying, the Lyon Air Museum, and the American Air Museum.

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