Eloise Ogden/MDN This P-40E Warhawk is part of the Bruce Eames Collection of warbirds at the Dakota Territory Air Museum, Minot. The plane was flown by the 18th Fighter Squadron in Alaska during World War II.

Family members of a World War II fighter squadron will be gathering at the Dakota Territory Air Museum, Minot, for a reunion next month.

“The 18th Fighter Squadron was based in Alaska during World War II and the museum’s P-40 flew in that squadron during World War II,” said Jenna Grindberg, museum director. She said it’s very likely relatives of family members attending the reunion would have flown this plane.

The 18th Fighter Squadron Family Reunion will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28-29.

The event will include the Commemorative Air Force-Minnesota Wing with its B-25 Miss Mitchell. Rides will be given in the B-25 and those who are interested in a ride should contact the air museum immediately.

Grindberg said the main day of the reunion is Saturday and a family day is planned for Sunday.

On Saturday, Grindberg said there will be opening remarks, museum tours for the fighter squadron family members and a flying demonstration with the P-40 and B-25. The B-25 rides will occur on Saturday. On Sunday, there will be speakers and closing remarks. Both days are open to the public.

The Curtiss P-40E Warhawk was used by most Allied forces during World War II and was a front-line fighter in every major theater of the war.

According to air museum information, the 18th Fighter Squadron was located at Fort Randall (Cold Bay), Alaska. On Sept. 26, 1942, the P-40E Warhawk 41-5709 (the plane now at the Minot air museum) was on a routine two-ship patrol. During landing, another P-40E Warhawk ran into the back of 5709, causing extensive damage.

The 5709 was dropped from inventory, usable parts salvaged and the remainder of the aircraft dumped in the base dump at Cold Bay, where it remained until around 1987. Aircraft archaeologist Richard Odgers began excavating the Cold Bay dump, exposing 5709 for the first time since 1942. The plane went through various owners and years of intensive restoration work. It made its first flight in 67 years in August 2009. After that, the plane had other owners and now it’s part of the Bruce Eames Collection at the Minot air museum. The plane was last flown in October 2022. Currently, it wears the colors of Col. Robert E. Scott’s aircraft while he commanded the 23rd Fighter Group in the China-Burma-India Theater. Scott was one of America’s earliest flying aces of the war.

Individuals who served in the 18th Fighter Squadron or its sister squadron, the 11th Fighter Squadron, also at Cold Bay, Alaska, during World War II or are family members of anyone who served in either squadron, is encouraged to attend. Anyone aware of those with connections to the squadrons is asked to let them know about the reunion in Minot.

National Aviation Day set for air museum Saturday

Flyovers and other activities are planned during a Celebration of National Aviation Day at the Dakota Territory Air Museum, Minot, on Saturday, Aug. 17.

“We’re going to have free admission all day,” said Jenna Grindberg, museum director. “The event itself is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and in that time period the Minot Aero Center will be donating free flights.”

Grindberg said tickets will be handed out for the flights.

“The free flights are extremely limited for numbers so it’s first-come, first-serve ticketing basis,” she said.

She said plans are to have a flyover with one or two of the planes from the museum’s collection.

“Of course, all this is weather permitting,”Grindberg said. Food trucks will be available on the grounds.