Air Force Museum Campain Brochure

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No matter how far we’ve gone, the horizon still lies distantly beyond us. The National Museum of the United States Air Force® is the culmination of the past, a brilliant illumination of the present, and a glimpse of a shimmering future.

The future is listening for our footsteps …



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A National Treasure We achieve greatness not only by reflecting on our past, but by taking responsibility for our future. In fact, what we do about our history matters. Walking through the parking areas of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, one becomes aware of how appropriate it is to refer to Ohio’s major tourist attraction as a national treasure. Many of our visitors are men and women who have served or are currently serving their country in all branches of the U.S. military. These include the thinning ranks of older veterans who are eager to share their stories. You are invited to join a community of supporters who have committed themselves to the vitality and expansion of this great Museum in Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation. A new fourth building will house astonishing machines and tell the stories of the men and women who were, and are, the pathfinders to a future we can scarcely imagine.


ergoing restoration.

Eager Rocket Camp “kids” ready for launch.

Eager Rocket Camp “kids” ready for launch.

The Museum has many of “the last one in existence” aircraft and the Martin B-10 is one of those.

The Museum has many of “the last one in existence” aircraft and the Martin B-10 is one of those.

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The aviation entrepreneur and writer Harryentrepreneur B. Combs statedand that, The aviation writer Harry B. Combs stated that, “When the British Empire seas,they had great affect on e aviation “When entrepreneur and writer the British Empire ruledruled the the seas, they had great on the world. the world. Now that theaffect United States rules the skies, the United States arry B. Combs stated that, Nowgreat that the United rules the skies, has the same affect on States the world...and today, the future of ruling When the British Empire ruled the seas, the will United States hasthe next great powers of the world.” space determine y had great affectthe onsame the great world. affect on the world . . . today,rules the future w that the Unitedand States the skies, of ruling space will determine the next United States has great powers of the world.”

Two out of three visitors have not ser


The National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The first of the great “Century” series fighters, the F-100 in the colors of the Thunderbirds. The first of the great “Century” series fighters, The first of the great “Century” series fighters, the F-100 in the colors of the Thunderbirds. the F-100 in the colors of the Thunderbirds.

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Two out of three visitors have not served in any branch of the military, yet marvel at museum exhibits.

wo out of three visitors have not served in any branch of the military, yet marvel at museum exhibits. Two out of three visitors have not served in any branch of the military, yet marvel at museum exhibits.


“Ladies in Waiting”, two famous Boeing B-17s, Memphis Belle and The Swoose, undergoing restoration. “Ladies in Waiting”, two famous Boeing B-17s, Memphis Belle and The Swoose, undergoing restoration.

Engaging classes for students. Engaging classes for students.

Collections management maintains thousands of artifacts. Collections management maintains thousands of artifacts.

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PRESERVATION

theA custodian of authentic artifacts that were once PThe R Museum E S E Ris V TION the dreams of the future and the keeper of stories of those who The Museum is the custodian of authentic artifacts that were once have valiantly served our nation. the dreams of the future and the keeper of stories of those who have valiantly served our nation.

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he National Museum of the United States Air Force serves to preserve and he National Museum of the United tell the experiences of many before States Air Force serves to preserve and they vanish beyond memory. It is tell the experiences of many before filled with stories of the dedication and sacrifice they vanish beyond memory. It is of the men and women of the Air Force and filled with stories of the dedication and sacrifice stories of the history of aviation from early flight of the men and women of the Air Force and to remotely-piloted aircraft. For our visitors, the stories of the history of aviation from early flight opening of our doors each morning offers new to remotely-piloted aircraft. For our visitors, the opportunities for discovery. opening of our doors each morning offers new opportunities for discovery. ®

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Recently a young soldier asked a volunteer if he could touch an A-10 fighter. When asked why, Recently a young soldier asked a volunteer if he he said, “Because it saved my life three times could touch an A-10 fighter. When asked why, when I was in combat.” he said, “Because it saved my life three times when I was in combat.” The experiments of Dayton, Ohio natives Orville and Wilbur Wright represent America’s earliest aviation heritage. Their great-grand niece, Amanda Wright The experiments of Dayton, Ohio natives Orville and Wilbur Wright represent Lane, uses the concept of balance to explain how the Wright brothers were able to America’s earliest aviation heritage. Their great-grand niece, Amanda Wright control an unstable vehicle like a flying machine. Lane, uses the concept of balance to explain how the Wright brothers were able to control an unstable vehicle like a flying machine.


The Museum displays one of the largest restored bombers flown in World War I. The Caproni Ca.36 was used by American Airmen on some of the first–ever strategic bombing missions.


HERITAGE

Visitors come here for a multitude of reasons. For many, their experience brings them face to face with their heritage. N a t Museum i o N a l M u s e u M o f t h e u N i t e d s t a t e s a i r f o r c e®

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HERITAGE

visitors include Presidents of the United Visitors comeistinguished here for a multitude of reasons. For many, their States, senior military and legislative leaders, corporate Museum experience brings them face to face with their heritage. executives, high-ranking foreign officials, and international aviation enthusiasts. A highly energetic Special Events Division hosts hundreds of events and special Presidents United tours annually. istinguished In addition,visitors retiredinclude military groups of of the men and States, senior military and legislative leaders, corporate women who served together choose this site for reunions. Our executives, high-ranking foreign and to our Museum also consecrates the rich heritage of officials, their service international aviation enthusiasts. A highly energetic nation with thoughtful memorials in a tranquil, park-like setting Special Events Division hosts hundreds of events and special that tours invites both respect and appropriate celebrations. The Air annually. In addition, retired military groups of men and Force Band who of Flight, at Wright-Patterson Air ForceOur Base, women servedbased together choose this site for reunions. draws huge crowds to the Museum and is considered a vital part Museum also consecrates the rich heritage of their service to our of the cultural assets of the surrounding region. For the Museum, special nation with thoughtful memorials in a tranquil, park-like setting events offer athat broad exposure to theand treasures awaiting discovery invites both respect appropriate celebrations. Theand Air Forceexposition Band of Flight, at Wright-Patterson Force Base, their subsequent to anbased ever-widening horizon Air of enthusiastic supporters. draws huge crowds to the Museum and is considered a vital part

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Captain Eddie Rickenbacker’s diary, watch, and Medal of Honor.

Captain Eddie Rickenbacker’s diary, watch, and Medal of Honor.

of the cultural assets of the surrounding region. For the Museum, special events offer a broad exposure to the treasures awaiting discovery and their subsequent exposition to an ever-widening horizon of enthusiastic supporters.


The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the steward of the “Doolittle Raiders” silver goblets. Jimmy Doolittle accepted these from the The National Museum City of Tucson to honor of the United States Air their annual gathering Force is the steward of the celebrating the famous “Doolittle Raiders” silver missiongoblets. in 1942. Jimmy Doolittle ®

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accepted these from the City of Tucson to honor their annual gathering celebrating the famous mission in 1942.

Colonel Colonel William Harrell, USAFUSAF (ret),(ret), flew 366 missions while in in Vietnam tothis thisone oneonon William Harrell, flew 366 missions while Vietnamininan anA-37 A-37 similar similar to exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. ®

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COMMITMENT

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people COMMITMENT can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people - Margaret Mead. can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead. he National Museum of the United States Air Force provides rich learning experiences of he National Museum of the United States for Airindividuals Force all ages. While it does not confer degrees, it delivers provides rich learning experiences for individuals of enlightenment many levels. For those visitors all ages. While it doesatnot confer degrees, it delivers thirsting for a history of military aviation, a century enlightenment at many levels. For those visitors of it lies before Carefully planned and asuperbly thirsting for them. a history of military aviation, century executed of it lies exhibits oneCarefully throughplanned a time-oriented experience from the first beforelead them. and superbly executed exhibits frailthrough craft toaadvanced planes with levels of the performance long lead one time-oriented experience from first classified as secret. For with visitors immersed in the romance of Colonel William frail craft to advanced planes levels of performance long openascockpits andvisitors white immersed silk scarves, an abundance of Schaff, USAF(ret), classified is secret. For in there’s the romance of Colonel William open sturdy cockpitsbiplanes and white scarves, there’sthat an abundance of andsilk elegant trainers acted as schoolrooms Schaff,a USAF(ret), is Museum volunteer sturdyfor biplanes and elegant trainers thatwho acted as schoolrooms a Museum generations of pilots. Many earned their wings in PTand avolunteer veteran of more for generations of pilots. who earned in PTand athan veteran more 19s and AT-6s wereMany the steady hands their at thewings controls of B-17s 100ofmissions 19s and AT-6s were the steady hands at the controls of B-17s than 100 missions and B-29s or P-51s. Their contrails have disappeared with the over North Vietnam. and B-29s or P-51s. Their contrails have disappeared with the over North Vietnam. breezes, but their valor is forever etched in the deep blue skies He was one of the but their valor is forever etched in the deep blue skies He was one ofpilots the flying breezes, of freedom. pioneer of freedom. pioneer pilots flying the Republic F-105 the Republic F-105 using “Thunderchief” “Thunderchief” using Wild Weasel tactics. Wild Weasel tactics.

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Education Education

Education thrives in our Education thrives in our Museum. Opportunities Museum. Opportunities occur every day, and occur every day, and encounters number over encounters number over 150,000 annually. 150,000 annually.

Brings Brings The Museum The Museum attracts attracts more 1.3 million more than 1.3than million visitors each year. They visitors each year. They not arrive with may notmay arrive with education as their main education as their main reason for visiting, but reason for visiting, but when they leave, their when they leave, their horizonshorizons are broadened. are broadened. The professional education The professional education staff, assisted by dedicated volunteers, staff, assisted by dedicated volunteers, provides a varietya of educational programsprograms provides variety of educational for students ranging from the science for students ranging from theand science and technology of flightoftoflight modeltorocketry and technology model rocketry and enriched, hands-on adventures in history. enriched, hands-on adventures in history. Professional development workshops Professional development workshops for teachers extend Museum learning learning for teachers extend Museum opportunities for students into individual opportunities for students into individual classrooms. classrooms.

Enlightenment Enlightenment


A recent addition to the Museum’s exhibits describes “Warrior Airmen” in the current conflicts.


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INSPIRATION

Through moving stories,Iwe Force men andN women and their Nhonor S P Air IR AT IO contribution to protecting the nation’s freedom. Through moving stories, we honor Air Force men and women and their contribution to protecting the nation’s freedom.

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he mysteries of flight and wonders of space travel inspire mysteries of flight science and wonders of space travel inspire young he people to consider and technology careers. young people to consider science and technology careers. The courage and valor of those who have served inspire The courage and valor of those who have served inspire future generations to dedicate their lives to preserving future generations to dedicate their lives to preserving our freedom. our freedom.


“We should all be concerned about the future,” said “We should be concerned about the future,” Charles F.all Kettering, “because we will havesaid to spend the Charles F. Kettering, “because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there.” rest of our lives there.”

Eugene Kettering his personal collection of several hundred modeltoplanes to the Museum forcare. perpetual care. Eugene Kettering gavegave his personal collection of several hundred model planes the Museum for perpetual


The inspiration for future planning comes from our visitors who marvel at the examples of innovation and scientific achievements throughout the Museum.

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ver the last decade, Museum leaders have developed a bold plan to better tell the story of the Air Force’s contribution in war and peace to the nation’s historical and technological development. Since its creation a half century ago, the Museum exhibits and programs have introduced visitors to Air Force history and culture from World War I to the challenges of the post-Cold War years. Existing galleries feature the courageous men and women who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom and the history of the Air Force’s contribution to aviation. Yet untold in the main Museum complex are the stories of the Air Force’s contribution to space, its role transporting the President of the United States and other VIPs, and its contribution to global airlift missions. A new fourth building will provide the opportunity for the Museum to: •Teach millions of individuals about the rich history of the Air Force space program, explaining the vital Air Force, NASA, and aerospace industry partnerships; •Bring greater attention and exposure to the collection of Presidential aircraft and the related stories that help illustrate the history of the Air Force, America, and the world; and •Explain the concept and impact of Air Force Global Reach across the spectrum of peacekeeping, military, and humanitarian relief operations. The expanded story of the Air Force’s contribution to the nation’s development will be featured in three new galleries. THE SPACE GALLERY will illustrate the Air Force’s extensive history and fundamental role in supporting our nation’s space program. The Museum already proudly exhibits Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space capsules along with Thor and Titan missiles. Expanded exhibits will include a crew compartment trainer and other artifacts from the space shuttle program, a range of early developmental aircraft such as an X-15 and an X-24A, and modern satellites and booster systems, such as the Titan IV, spanning the history of the space age and exemplifying the Air Force’s vast reconnaissance, early warning, communications, and other space capabilities. The Air Force has been involved in every aspect of space exploration from the beginning. The new Space Gallery will capture the historical narrative of the Air Force role in this technological evolution and human drama. For Museum visitors, the interpretive exhibits will provide the opportunity for a personal encounter and interaction with the history and advances in technology that have helped shape our daily lives.


THE PRESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT GALLERY will allow visitors to experience the Museum’s Presidential aircraft collection in the main Museum complex. The Presidential collection is one of the Museum’s most popular exhibits, but its location severely restricts accessibility, and new technology can help tell its story in a far more exciting way. Currently, the Presidential collection is housed in a special hangar, one mile from the main Museum complex in a controlled-access area of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Visitors only can see the collection by signing up for one of seven daily, hour-long bus tours, and less than 10% of the Museum’s regular visitors are able to make the trip. The collection of Presidential aircraft includes: Douglas C-54 “Sacred Cow” – The first Presidential transport aircraft well known for its use by Franklin Delano Roosevelt to travel to the Yalta Conference. A special elevator was installed below the fuselage to get Roosevelt into the plane in his wheelchair. It is on this aircraft that President Truman signed the National Security Act (1947) creating the United States Air Force. Douglas VC-118 “Independence” – Also used by President Truman, the plane that took him to the famous meeting on Wake Island with General MacArthur during the Korean War. Lockheed VC-121 “Columbine” – The plane used by President Eisenhower throughout his administration. Boeing VC-137, SAM 26000 – The plane used by every President from John F. Kennedy through William J. Clinton. This is the aircraft that flew President Kennedy’s body to Washington on November 22, 1963. It was in the middle cabin of this plane that Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the nation’s 36th president. THE GLOBAL REACH GALLERY will demonstrate the importance of airlift in military, government, and humanitarian missions. Providing airlift is a major mission of the U.S. Air Force, and it forms a critical part of the Air Force’s ability to maintain Global Reach. To tell this vital airlift story, the Museum has acquired the most famous individual airlifter in Air Force history, the C-141 Starlifter known world-round as the Hanoi Taxi. Not only was this remarkable aircraft the first C-141 to carry our POWs out of North Vietnam, but it served a long career maintaining Global Reach. Other significant aircraft to be included in this exhibit include the C-5 Galaxy and the C-130E Hercules.


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THE FOURTH BUILDING Museum Director Lieutenant General John L. Hudson, USAF (ret) and Air Force Museum Foundation President Lieutenant General Richard V. Reynolds, USAF (ret)with a model of the projected new building.


PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS The fourth building will be approximately 224,000 square feet and be built to modern standards including LEED Silver certification. The estimated project cost is $47 million. The new galleries will provide unprecedented opportunities to expand educational programming, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). From exploration of the human factors of sustained duration space flight to the study of advanced communication systems for guidance and control of space vehicles or Presidential aircraft, new exhibits and programs will capture visitors’ imaginations and inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.

Please join the Air Force Museum Foundation in this important effort to tell America’s story to the world.

When you see a vapor trail in the golden light of dawn, that flight likely began as a model tugging a child’s mind toward the infinite blue above – a child whose future may be shaped by a visit to this hallowed hall of dreams.


Throughout the year, the Museum hosts heritage and family events. Summer also brings the Freedom’s Call Military Tattoo to the Museum grounds, where Air Force families, as well as the public, are entertained and amazed.



As in all great repositories of history, we will come face to face with an artifact or narrative that will move us. The whisperings of courage, dedication and sublime sacrifice leave us only with a single response, often observed here ‌ silent reverence.



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he dream of flight has been a part of human yearning since the dawn of recorded time; that dream becomes reality at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

A Publication of the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. This is a private organization. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and it has no governmental status. On the cover: The National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio


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