Col Tennessee Ernie Ford singing the Ballad of Ghost Squadron.

[@txcouple8798]

My late father gave me an AirSho '80 ticket stub of my forst airshow in Harlingen and Col Ford signed it and I still look at it thinking of those days I had with my dad at those great shows.

[@PrestonH-q5w]

I was at those shows in 1980.

[@lindablevins7399]

My father actually wrote the lyrics and music for this ballad. He was an independent filmmaker who was hired by the founder of the CAF - Lloyd Nolen to write, film and create documentary movies for the fledgling organization back in the early nineteen seventies. He was himself a WWII naval veteran of the pacific and served on aircraft carriers. My family spent many summers and weekends in October at various airshows around the country. I grew up with this amazing collection of WWII aircraft, and the determined group of people who made this flying museum a reality. It would make him proud to see this film and the song still reaching out to people today.

[@laurencelance586]

For my late teens and early twenties I was often at the Major's home, visiting his son who was and is my closest friend. It was ten years after his passing that we learned of the Major's Silver Star, and that he had earned it flying the raid on Ploesti.

[@ShellyAnn1a]

In 1977-78, while stationed at NWC China Lake, I made friends with this WW II Marine Veteran who was in the Pacific TOA. It turned out that he was a member of Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington's, of VMF-214, ground crew. This video was a fantastic tribute to those who flew the hostile skies over the Pacific, Europe, Korea, Viet Nam, and other TOA's where air power was needed. I love it when the WW II aircraft are flown out of our airport, they come right over my house. When the B-17 and the B-24 fly over they rattle the dishes in the cabinets and cause the water to ripple in my aquarium. I still have to be careful, and not go running towards the helo-pad when the UH-1 Huey flies over at low level, I have grabbed my helmet and run towards the helo-pad a couple of times. Belonged to an EvacHosp,, and our Evac Choppers were the UH-1 Huey. It was an ingrained response for incoming casualties. Thank your father for this work, I love it. - - - //es//A Proud Honorable Disabled American Veteran, 1965-1994, Combat Medicine and Pharmacy.

[@LegacyDriver1]

It’s too bad they truncated the middle with the guitar solo. The original is 2:37.

[@teller1290]

@@laurencelance586 who? Ernie Ford?

[@laurencelance586]

@@teller1290 No, not Ford. A Major I once knew and whose son followed in his father's footsteps.

[@fancy_cyka3594]

Tennessee Ernie Ford always hits hard

[@hoplong61]

Tennessee Ford was one of the greatest. Never heard this before. Thanks for the sharing. Gob Blessings upon America.

[@shimathefox7149]

Before nor since. Since I was born long since his time, I don't know much of Ford's achievements, but even I know he's cemented himself as a hero and a legend to these United States. For both his service and singing alike!

[@whisperingdeath308]

The Days of The CAF in Harlingen tx were the best.

[@vernawallace8698]

I THINK MITT ROMNEY NEEDS TO FIND SONGS LIKE THIS TO SHARE WITH OUR COUNTRY. WE DON'T NEED A SONG AND DANCE MAN BUT ONE MAN WITH A MESSAGE THE WILL STIR OUR HEARTS AND SOUL LIKE THE TIMES THAT WE STOOD TALL,TRUTH IN OUR WORDS AND NEVER BOWED TO ANY MAN." ONLY GOD " MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA

[@cleoreynblds7782]

Wonderful, i love these older songs that have meaning behind them..GOD bless. America..

[@1LEgGOdt]

Yes me too. And whenever I'm listen to the radio I'll try to find any station that's playing these great songs.

[@troy9477]

Did not know that about Ernie. That is great. Love the CAF. Have seen them at a couple of airshows. They have done some wonderful work over the decades. Hats off to them and all veterans.

[@marilynnlaird6274]

He flew on B-29s in the Pacific

[@BigWolfBoy50]

I got a chance to ride in Fifi, their B29 at the Reading WW2 weekend June 1st 2012, An amazing experience, last year got a ride in their 2 seat P51, cramped where the radio use to be but the speed and sound will never be forgotten.

[@1945biged1]

I've been to a couple of CAF fly in's. Lots of fun. Met a couple of Tuskegee airmen and also Jimmy Doolittle's navigator. Saw lots of neat old planes and the always had a great swing band in full military uniform playing all those great swing hits form the forties. Danced my rear off. The greatest generation without a doubt.

[@robertwaid3579]

That Song was Fantastic too Hear. As for the AAC in WWII, My Uncle Johnny was a Ground Crew, Chief of Fighters from 1940 - 1946 so He worked on just about All of the Fighters that the US employed Over in Europe. May the Greatest Generation RIP & never be Forgotten.

[@doughesson]

Some CAF members are based out of DeWitt Spain Airport here in Memphis.When working on the river just down the hill on weekends,you can watch them practice and in effect get a free air show out of them.

[@GSUCEX]

IT SENT CHILL UP MY BODY LISTING TO IT. A real must.

[@firesoldier6627]

So many years ago in Brownsville Texas my first Air Show i remember this and dam this is the reason I will fly once again.

[@saburusakai]

I saw some of those AC in 89 or 90 shows in Harlengen. Some of the best time of my life, took dozens of great slides. I even saw the He-111 and B-26, got some great shots. Loved it.

[@HM2SGT]

+Donna Jones Well that is certainly reasonable, rational response to Subaru's comment. Is it time for the doctor to adjust your dosage, or have they not figured out what the name of what is wrong with you is yet? Whatever it is, I bet it's a long and difficult to pronounce.

[@Crlpope]

Hey omonkey voter why do all you loser yanks have to come to the South to beg for a job? Hint you fucked up everything up noth and all the companys left to get AWAY FROM YOU! Now you come to the south and tell us how you did it up noth! ROTFLMAO THAT WORKED OUT REAL WELL FOR YOU STUPID BASTARDS RIGHT?

[@williamsturgell3776]

Sadly both the B-26 and the He-111 have since been lost in crashes.

[@marvelmax03191]

All of them are such beautiful planes...

[@winelover70]

this man had a great voice

[@soraofthemist]

I could have sworn he was a 1st lieutenant. I might be wrong oh well either way amazing song, amazing singer, amazing video i loved it

[@061Hitachi]

This video and song never fail to give me shivers

[@1958wvpicker]

Howdy Wow always liked T.E,F but never new he was in WWII or that he was a Col. to boot very impressive seems like a lot of the old time singers , severed in WWII thanks for sharing this stay cool Rich in WV

[@NS2589]

love this! wish I could find it on spotify

[@lynpoulter7231]

I loved the man an his tv show was funny

[@TheMinuteHand]

Wow..never heard this one before!

[@kingbushwickthe33rd]

Tennessee Ernie Ford,USAAF WII. Johnny Cash.USAF Korea. Willie Nelson.USAF Korea. Great singers who served our country. Toby Keith;Tim McGraw;Trace Adkins-Why didn't you serve??

[@gracegabrielsen3666]

I like the Confederate Air Force, thank you for sharing I never knew Tennessee Ernie Ford did all of this. Amazing.

[@teller1290]

Not the Confederate Air Force anymore.

[@cameronegler1196]

I am part of the B29/B24 Squadron of the CAF. I can probably speak for many other members when I say this, we don't like when we are called the Confederate Air Force but we politely inform them of the reason behind the name change. We changed our name to the Commemorative Air Force in 2002 because the previous name didn't accurately reflect the purpose of the CAF, and the previous name made it difficult for us as a non profit organization to fundraise enough money to keep our planes flying. Our main goal is to restore and preserve our aircraft to fly around the country and outside of the USA so we can educate present and future generations about the members of the "Greatest Generation" who built, serviced, and flew these aircraft to protect the freedom of democracy.

[@kmaher1424]

@@teller1290 I doubtt the original name had any political meaning. They began in Texas and old Southern tradition let every member be a Colonel. Perhaps a Tuskegee Airman made a suggestion. They quickly became Commemorative

[@teller1290]

@@kmaher1424 The name originally was obviously given to the organization by proud Texans not ashamed of the state's history. Obviously, there was no air force in 1861, so it was a tongue-in-cheek title but with a meaningful historical reference. Not allowed these days because they fight and we go along to get along.

[@kmaher1424]

@@teller1290 The first name was dumped quickly because the relevant war was the one against Fascism

[@2424gig]

....and brave,very brave couragious Airmen !Inclusive their ground crews ,inclusive Boots on the ground after the bombardements.

[@bendynamic2150]

I feel an cold chill go down my spine when i hear this song and johnny cases roll call i think i feel the sorrow and the goodness or some thing in my heart when they tell the tails for the men and i feel for the lost maybe ill ask god one day up yonder why i feel this inside until then its a mistory

[@ekramer1030]

My dad never talked about it either, and it's really hard to get information because of a big fire that took out alot of his records. He was a navigator on one of the medium sized bombers stationed in England, to fly over Germany. I know flew 30+ times. I know it was Army air corp. I know he had a purple heart and a bronze star, and I don't know why. He died when I was 11, and was a much older Dad. (I'm the age of your typical Vietnam era baby.) My grand uncle was a medic at Normandy.

[@BigBeowolf]

I don't believe the Air Corp deployed over Germany. I could be wrong but I think by the time we started fighting it was already the Army Air Forces. Chances are he started in the Air Corp and then flew under the AAF.

[@thewaywardwind548]

My dad had been in the Air Corps and had been discharged prior to Pearl Harbor. In February 1942, he got a letter from his benevolent Uncle Sam that said something like, "Hey George. Come on back. He was a B-25 gunner until a quick change in altitude ruptured his ear drums and the Army grounded him. He stayed in the same squadron but never flew again. They made a supply sergeant out of him. He said he didn't mind -- a lot of the air crews didn't come back. His bomb group was part of the island campaign in the Pacific -- New Britain, Carolines, Marshalls, Marianas and Okinawa. He would NEVER ride in any Japanese car till the day he died. He would say that the last time he saw a Mitsubishi it was shootin' at him. He never forgot and never forgave.

[@acblueeagle]

I did not know of his World War II experience. I did happen to see and hear him narrate a Confederate Air Force srow at Harlengen, Texas one year. That same year I saw Paul Tibbets fly Fi Fi, the B-29 the now Comemorative Air Force flies.

[@BobbyR454]

In the Commemorative Air Force, all dues paying members are given the honorary rank of Colonel, whether one had been in the military or not. His Army Air Corp rank during WWII was Lieutenant, he was trained as a B-29 bombardier, but served as a flight instructor in California.

[@kennedysingh3916]

I wounder if he came to Jamaica during the Gypsy Task Force training program with the B 29 bombers?

[@johnl.sillasen1780]

P-38 Lightening: The campus clinic doctor where I was in college, was shot down in one and spent the last year of WWII in the notorious German stalag for pilots.

[@DanceswithDustBunnies]

The tune is Ghost Riders in the Sky, great words. Loved Ford and his voice. I've had the pleasure of seeing the CAF in action several times...if they come to an airfield near you, don't miss them.

[@bartobo]

It's not Ghost riders in the Sky, not even close.

[@DanceswithDustBunnies]

Ga'Tor Donner Whatever, you say potato, I say potahto. The actual tune he's singing is the same, with a slightly different arrangement and register.

[@jasons.158]

Nan Racu NOT.

[@DanceswithDustBunnies]

I just checked with a musician friend of mine and I'm right. you might want to have your hearing checked. Just Sayin'.

[@jasons.158]

Nan Racu One doesn't have to be a musician, but since I performed "Riders in the Sky" in a multi-award winning, Norman Luboff-style choir...touring all over...as baritone section leader....I can authoritatively say.... Your friend is incorrect. 

[@booksbenji]

That's is "FIFI" taking off, the only flying B-29 today!!!!!!!!! Those engines are just drives u to the ground when she does a low pass!!!!

[@bl00dg3ar]

They may not have served but they visit the troops every chance they get and donate a good portion of their profits to Wounded Warrior and other funds. And Trace couldn't serve. one of his arms is partially paralyzed from an oil rig incident.

[@jasons.158]

Truncated version. Too bad CAF won't put this out along with the CAF history video it was taken from.

[@marvelmax03191]

An associate of my father's is the proud owner of FiFi. I've never seen her myself.

[@LegacyDriver1]

This version is truncated. The guitar solo in the middle has been removed. The full song is 2:37.

[@jasons.158]

The original is about 2 minutes 41 seconds. I have spliced it together from various sources. There is a beautiful instrumental in the middle that is missing in this video.

[@michaelritchie9875]

J. S. Do you have any copies of the full version?

[@copee2960]

So this is where Stan Ridgway got his idea for his song Camouflage.

[@silverfoxfox9061]

Love this song. Its a shame they had to change the name of the CAF

[@booksbenji]

Politically correct as*holes. Their HQ is now in Midland, Texas and I have been there several times and massive stuff!!!!!!!!

[@booksbenji]

Go to caf.org and u can find pic's and where she be @ last of this yr.

[@christophersherman1198]

🇺🇲💯%

[@TheStandpat]

Canada!

[@eckhardmann1409]

101. Tennessee

[@marilorbastille2821]

Soup Cans even

[@LiberalTears]

Canada in WWII was Britain.

[@marvelmax03191]

To all the pilots of the second world war. From America, Britain, Germany, Japan, to the Soviet Union.

[@miaclark1808]

Ghost squadron enshrined in histories lies.

[@bengemeister]

Today he would be chastised for supporting a group like the Confederate Air Force. They should change their name to New England White Patriot Air Force.

[@TOO_TALL305]

dude they're the commemorative air force now no need to be a douche

[@laurasolomon8241]

They're out of Harlingen, Texas, goof-ball. It'll never be New England...

[@maxfrankow1238]

Sarcasm?

[@kmaher1424]

The CAF did not pick their old name for political reasons. They were based in Texas where mild winters made flying simpler. The same reason there were so many training fields here They became Comnemorative about the time they began honoring Tuskegee Airmen. Out of respect A few fools now would object to honoring enemies of Fascism

[@troy9477]

Did not know that about Ernie. That is great. Love the CAF. Have seen them at a couple of airshows. They have done some wonderful work over the decades. Hats off to them and all veterans.

[@MRHSDM316SD18186]

This song has NOTHING to do with the C.A.F., it was about all of the battles (DURING WWII) where aircraft were used, as Ernie Ford said in the song. I am a fly on the wall here as far as this discussion goes, just laying out the facts......

[@Thunderchicken69]

Ernie Ford was a member of the CAF, the CAF’s collection is called the Ghost Squadron, and this is the CAF’s main song, it was made specifically for them, I’m pretty sure it has a lot to do with the CAF