Rainier Squadron Launches AT-19 Campaign
ARLINGTON, Wash. (June 24, 2026) — The Commemorative Air Force’s Rainier Squadron has launched a fundraising campaign to support a critical engine overhaul for its historic Stinson AT-19 Reliant, a World War II-era aircraft that has become a familiar sight at aviation and community events throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The Squadron is seeking to raise $25,000 toward the first phase of a $70,000 engine overhaul project that will return the aircraft to flying status and allow it to continue its educational mission.
Based at Arlington Municipal Airport, the Rainier Squadron has served communities across Washington State since 2017 through aircraft displays, educational programs, veterans outreach, and public events. Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Squadron’s members are committed to preserving aviation history and making it accessible to new generations.
In the Pacific Northwest, aviation is woven into the region’s identity. From military training fields and wartime aircraft production to decades of aerospace innovation, the area’s history has been shaped by flight. The Rainier Squadron helps preserve that legacy by keeping historic aircraft visible, accessible, and, whenever possible, flying.
The Squadron’s Stinson AT-19 Reliant plays an important role in that effort. Built during World War II and later operated by the Royal Navy, the aircraft was originally used for training, transport, and communications missions. Today, it serves as a flying ambassador for the stories of the men and women who served during the war.
“Every time this aircraft appears at an event, it creates opportunities for people to connect with history in a meaningful way,” said Squadron leaders. “When an aircraft flies, people don’t just see history—they experience it.”
The upcoming engine overhaul is necessary to ensure the aircraft can safely continue flying at events throughout the region. The initial fundraising goal will allow the Squadron to begin the overhaul process and place the engine with qualified specialists for inspection and rebuild.
For the volunteers who maintain and operate the aircraft, the project is about more than preserving a machine. It is about preserving the experience of seeing, hearing, and learning from a living piece of history.
Individuals interested in supporting the project can learn more and contribute through the Squadron’s fundraising campaign. Because history belongs in the sky—and every generation deserves the chance to experience it.
