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Missions of Honor’s Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight honors veterans part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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Missions of Honor’s Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight honors veterans as part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 activities

Vietnam vets will return home from D.C. day trip at conclusion of July 24 air show

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 21, 2026) — One of the most emotional and poignant moments each year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh returns in 2026 as 100 Vietnam War vets take a Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on July 24 as part of AirVenture’s annual salute to veterans. The 73rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Veterans from the Vietnam War will be honored as they travel to the nation’s capital to tour war memorials at no cost to them. The veterans will return to Oshkosh at the conclusion of the Friday afternoon air show and thousands of people will welcome them back home and give them the recognition they deserve.

“The Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight is one of the most memorable events of AirVenture week and our Salute to Veterans activities each year,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming. “This event that honors what Vietnam veterans did for this country and provides them an experience of a lifetime, while giving AirVenture attendees an opportunity to say, ‘Thanks and welcome home.’”

This is the 12th year that the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight has originated at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh under the auspices of Missions of Honor (formerly Old Glory Honor Flight) of Appleton, Wisconsin. That non-profit organization has organized dozens of Honor Flights since 2009 with a dedicated group of volunteers. Those flights have included special flights to Pearl Harbor and to Vietnam.

“Each Honor Flight mission is a special occasion, but the ability to be a part of EAA AirVenture always creates unforgettable moments,” said Diane MacDonald, Missions of Honor executive director. “Honoring our local Vietnam veterans out of EAA AirVenture is such a highlight; being witness to the enthusiasm, respect, and appreciation from the world’s aviation enthusiasts when the flight returns to Oshkosh is such an incredible sight to see and it means the world to the men and women who get to experience it.”

American Airlines is again supplying an aircraft for the flight, which is flown by an all-volunteer crew of American Airlines pilots and cabin attendants.

Missions of Honor is inviting area veterans who are currently on their waitlist. In addition, other Vietnam veterans who are already attending AirVenture 2026 are invited to apply prior to June 6 for a drawing for one of approximately 15 seats available on the flight.

More information is available online regarding Missions of Honor or to make donations to the organization.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.

RAF Red Arrows demonstration team at EAA AirVenture 2026

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RAF Red Arrows demonstration team to make

Oshkosh debut in 2026

Royal Air Force team part of July 24-26 afternoon air shows to celebrate America 250

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 15, 2026) — The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, best known as the Red Arrows, will for the first time bring its world-renowned formation flying excellence to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The team will participate during the 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 2026 fly-in convention July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The Red Arrows will perform as part of the afternoon air shows on July 24-26. It is part of the team’s extended U.S. tour in 2026 to honor America’s 250th anniversary.

“The Red Arrows have long been on the list of teams that aviation enthusiasts have wanted to see at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “The team’s extended U.S. tour schedule fortunately allowed them to include AirVenture on their itinerary so they can be added to the legendary flight teams that have flown at Oshkosh. We welcome them to our event and eagerly anticipate their extraordinary aerial performances.”

Now in their 62nd season, the Red Arrows represent the speed, agility, and precision of the Royal Air Force. They assist in recruiting, act as ambassadors for the United Kingdom at home and overseas, and promote the best of British military aviation.

“The whole Red Arrows team are greatly looking forward to visiting the United States – the tour is a fantastic opportunity to display the best of British, at significant events and occasions marking the 250th anniversary, alongside friends, allies and international counterparts. The tour will celebrate and underline the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and our closest security partner” said Wing Commander Sasha Nash, Officer Commanding of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. “The power to inspire through aviation is something felt by airshow crowds on both sides of the Atlantic and we’re hoping to meet countless individuals and families at these locations, as well as during a busy programme of ground engagement that forms an important element of the tour.

“An enormous amount of work continues to go into the planning for the visit, by teams in the UK and US, and we’re excited and honoured to bring our signature display of red, white and blue to some of the biggest, most well-known airshows and events this summer.”

With a spectacular combination of close formations and precision flying, the Red Arrows have been displaying since 1965. The team – which uses the British-built Hawk T1 fast-jet – has flown nearly 5,000 displays in 57 countries, with pilots who have flown operationally in frontline aircraft such as the advanced Typhoon. The team’s home base is at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and the pilots are augmented by engineers and essential support staff with frontline, operational experience.

The Red Arrows team members will also participate in numerous public appearances and events on the grounds during AirVenture week. That exact schedule will be announced as it is finalized.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.