WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) -- Former military service members and civilians from the area reunited to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Columbia Army Air Base.

At one point the Columbia Metropolitan Airport was the Lexington County Airport, then shortly after the attack on  Pearl Harbor the government transformed it into an air base.

The South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation organized Saturday's reunion just a couple days shy of Pearl Harbor Day, to remember those who served our country.

On display was a P47 Thunderbolt Fighter plane that was flown during World War II, and the pilot who flew that plane was reunited with the aircraft during the event.

"What happened in World War II is not only our warriors, our soldiers, but our whole nation came together to preserve our freedom to fight against a brutal enemy im the Germans and the Japanese," said Cantzon Foster, president of the South Carolina Historic Foundation.

To find out more about the South Carolina Historic Foundation click here