What:

On May 15, 1918, in the midst of World War I, a small group of Army pilots delivered mail along a route that linked Washington, Philadelphia, and New York—initiating the world's first regularly scheduled airmail service.

The United States Post Office Department, the predecessor to the U.S. Postal Service, took charge of the U.S. Air Mail Service later that summer, operating it from Aug. 12, 1918, through Sept. 1, 1927. Airmail delivery, daily except on Sundays, became part of the fabric of the American economy and spurred growth of the nation’s aviation industry.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of U.S. Airmail Service, the United States Postal Service in conjunction with Contract Air Mail Route 8 (C.A.M. 8) will reenact the 1918 flight. Three vintage biplanes will retrace the pioneering west coast airmail route. It begins in San Diego on May 13, 2018 and ends in Seattle on May 18, 2018.

After departing Gillespie Field in San Diego, stops will include Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, San Francisco and Redding in California and then continue on.

Three Stearman Speedmail biplanes will be used, the type used in the 1930s. Of the 41 built, only seven still fly, so the C.A.M. 8 flight will be something you won’t want to miss.

When:

Monday, May 14, 2018
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A historical pictorial postmark will be available.

Where:   

Fresno Chandler Executive Airport
510 W. Kearney Blvd.
Fresno, CA 93706