DC-3 SOCIETY

About & Our Mission

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Who We Are

Honoring 90 Years of the DC-3 — and the Evolution of Our Mission

In December 2025, the Douglas DC-3 reached an extraordinary milestone: the 90th anniversary of its maiden flight. Few aircraft have had such a profound impact on aviation history, and even fewer continue to fly, work, and inspire generations nearly a century after their introduction.

As we celebrate this remarkable legacy, we also reflect on our own evolution. What began as the D-Day Squadron—formed to honor the Greatest Generation through our historic 2019 and 2024 commemorative missions, flyovers, events, outreach, and educational programs—has grown into something enduring: the DC-3 Society.

Today, the DC-3 Society serves as the global home for those who operate, preserve, maintain, study, and celebrate what many consider the most iconic aircraft in aviation history. Our mission is to preserve these historic airplanes, support active operators, educate future generations, document their stories, and help ensure the DC-3 remains airworthy, relevant, and flying for years to come.

If you have followed our journey through the D-Day Squadron community, we invite you to take the next step and become a member of the DC-3 Society. Your support helps preserve the aircraft, the knowledge, and the people who keep the DC-3 legacy alive—today and for future generations.

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Our Mission

Our mission is to organize the interests of DC-3 operators, enthusiasts, and crew while maintaining airworthiness and displays that represent everything the DC-3 has accomplished in war and peace for future generations.

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A Vision for Future Flight

Returning home from the 2024 Legacy Tour, our purpose remains steadfast: to preserve the airworthiness of DC-3 type aircraft, celebrate their legacy, and inspire future generations through static and flying displays. The 2024 Legacy Tour reinforced the mission of the DC-3 Society—uniting enthusiasts, pilots, mechanics, and operators in a collective effort to honor history and pass on the passion for “FLYING FREEDOM” to the next generation.

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In 2024, the D-Day Squadron embarked on the Return to Normandy Legacy Tour, showcasing a fleet of restored C-47 and DC-3 WWII military aircraft to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. The tour spanned the UK, France, and Germany, honoring history with aerial displays and paratroop drops.

156,000

TROOPS STORMED FIVE NORMANDY BEACHES, COMING IN FROM THE SEA

13,000

PARATROOPERS DROPPED BEHIND ENEMY LINES

11,000

1,000 AIRCRAFT FOR AIR COVER AND SUPPORT, 925 WERE C-47s

9,000

LIVES LOST OVER THE COURSE OF THE INVASION

Board of Directors

The Society is structured around four primary committees, each responsible for

advancing one or more core pillars of the organization’s mission. These committees are made up of volunteer leaders and members who work closely with the Board to develop programs, support members, and ensure long-term success.