UPCOMING EVENTS AND EXHIBITS AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE USAF

updates & additions

EDUCATION DIVISION’S TARC TEAM TRAVELS TO NATIONAL COMPETITION

A team of high school students from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (NMUSAF) competed against 100 teams from 27 states in the 2022 The American Rocketry Challenge (TARC) National Finals near Washington, D.C. earlier this year. “Team Prometheus” qualified for the prestigious national competition after outscoring more than 600 other teams from across the country, securing a spot in the Final Fly-Offs.

Team Prometheus members are: from Springboro High School, Team Captain Adam Bellware and Danielle Price; Northmont High School, MiKayla Aaron; Homeschooler, Xander Cottle; Milford High School, Katherine Ehlers; and Fairborn High School, Evan Wall.

“I am very proud of these students for all their hard work and commitment,” said NMUSAF Educator, Cynthia Henry. “They had been diligently working toward this goal for nine months, learning about rocketry and designing, building and test flying their rockets. Along

NMUSAF/ Ty Greenlees Team Prometheus, a rocketry team from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

the way, they also learned about the engineering process, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, perseverance and so much more! Through their dedication to TARC, these students have better prepared themselves to face the challenges they will meet as they further their education and move on to their professional careers.”

The Museum has participated in the Rocketry Challenge four times, this is the second time that they have qualified for the National Finals. There are currently two Museum teams scheduled to participate in the 2023 Challenge. Prior to qualifying for the 2022 national competition, Team Prometheus finished first in a separate statewide competition, the Ohio Cup, where they had the best score in a field of six teams. The American Rocketry Challenge is the aerospace and defense industry’s flagship program designed to encourage students to pursue study and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The competition challenges middle and high school students to design, build, and fly a rocket that meets specific altitude and flight duration parameters. This year’s rules required teams to build a model rocket that carries two raw eggs to an altitude of 835 feet, stays airborne for 41-44 seconds, and return the rocket to the

Visit us online at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil and follow us on social media for the latest announcements on upcoming events and opportunities.

ground safely with the eggs intact. The requirements are slightly modifi ed for the two launches at the National Finals.

Students interested in participating in this and other free STEM activities at the Museum can visit the website at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/ Education/. Participation in this event is made possible with the support of the Air Force Museum Foundation. (Federal Endorsement Not Implied).

AIR PARK ADDITIONS: KC-135R AND CONVAIR NC-131H

The Air Park is growing with the addition of the KC-135R and Convair NC-131H Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS).

As you may remember, the KC-135 (60-0329) arrived at the Museum in early 2022 from the 154th Wing Hawaii Air National Guard. This aircraft has more than 60 years of service, including the 1967 fl ight when the crew conducted an unprecedented tri-level refueling with Navy aircraft dangerously low on fuel over the Gulf of Tonkin. This flight earned the crew the 1967 Mackay Trophy for most meritorious fl ight of the year. The NC-131H TIFS is a one-of-akind in-flight simulator primarily used to study how an aircraft would handle before building an expensive, full-scale prototype created for the U.S. Air Force in the late 1960s. The TIFS fi rst fl ew in 1970, and its fi rst research project simulated the B-1 bomber’s fl ying characteristics. During its long and successful career, the TIFS simulated many military and NASA aircraft, including the X-40, Tacit Blue, Space Shuttle, B-2, YF-23 and C-17.

facebook.com/ AFmuseum twitter.com/ AFMuseum Instagram.com/ AFMuseum youtube.com/user/ USAFmuseum

upcoming exhibits & events

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

2021 VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Each year the Museum recognizes its team of volunteers for their hard work and dedication to sharing the Air Force history and heritage with visitors. “Our volunteers have a commitment and passion that is unmatched,” said David Tillotson III, NMUSAF director. “The support they give, both in time and expertise, is what allows us to open the doors every day and give our visitors a worldclass experience.”

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

John Paul (JP) Clarke was named the 2021 Volunteer of the Year. He was nominated by the Education Division and was selected from more than 500 volunteers for this honor. He is described as the “Energizer Bunny” for his tireless work in developing and managing a docent refresh program, meeting the needs of specialized educational tours, and for using his keen attention to detail to create and update educational video products. He was also instrumental in restarting the Free Daily Guided Tour Program, assisted with Plane Talks and Open Aircraft Events, and served as a Volunteer Wingman — just to name a few!

During 2021 JP volunteered 890 hours, and throughout his 13-year career as a museum volunteer he has volunteered more than 5,500 hours.

Other volunteers recognized for their selfless service throughout 2021 were:

John Paul (JP) Clarke, 2021 Volunteer or the Year.

NMUSAF/Ty Greenlees

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Debbie Bertke

Tom Gardner

Andrew Gilmore

Toni Rulli

Carol Sinclair

Steve Smith

Larry Zimmerman LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - 4,000 HOURS OF SERVICE

Mike Comer

Bob Dana

Don Gray

Francis Lymburner

Two additional awardees prefer not to be named WEEKEND WARRIOR OF THE YEAR

Awardee prefers not to be named

35 YEAR AWARD Richard Palmer

25 YEAR AWARD

Ron Hunt

Paul Warner

Gary Webb

One additional awardee prefers not to be named ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Ginger Gunlock

If you are interested in joining our fantastic team of volunteers, click the QR Code, or visit the Museum’s website at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Volunteer.

NOW OPEN! ABOVE AND BEYOND NEW TEMPORARY EXHIBIT Free exhibit, open daily 9-5 through December 15, 2022

This much-anticipated special exhibit is now open in the museum’s 4th building. This exhibit invites everyone to join the epic journey into the sky and beyond, celebrating the power of innovation to make dreams take fl ight. Museum visitors will be able to design-and test-fl y-their own supersonic jet; pilot a drone into the eye of a hurricane to measure nature’s fury; spread their wings and experience fl ight as a bird or a futuristic wing-fl apping aircraft; or take an elevator ride to the edge of space. Above and Beyond is presented by Boeing with local sponsorship by CenterPoint Energy Foundation.

AFMF photo

NMUSAF photo

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MARINE CORPS ART EXHIBIT TEMPORARY EXHIBIT On display through December 11 Don’t miss the last days!

“Honor, Courage, Commitment: Marine Corps Art, 1975-2018” will be on display in the Cold War Art Gallery through December 11. Sponsored by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, this exhibit features 36 works by 15 combat artists, portraying Marine Corps service from the mid1970’s through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

U.S. SPACE FORCE EXHIBIT NOW OPEN

The U.S. Space Force exhibit is now open in the Museum’s Space Gallery (Building 4). Featuring the newest branch of the Armed Forces, this exhibit highlights the USSF Guardians in their efforts to protect U.S. and allied interests in space. Visitors will see the Space Force flag, logo, leadership, and the ink pen used by the president to appoint General John W. “Jay” Raymond as the USSF’s fi rst Chief of Space Operations on December 20, 2019.

NMUSAF photo

OPEN AIRCRAFT DAYS

On these days, visitors will have the unique opportunity to look inside one of the Museum’s aircraft from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Follow the Museum’s website, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil and social media (listed on page 53) for 2023 Open Aircraft dates.

NMUSAF photo

PLANE TALKS

Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with various subject matter experts such as former pilots, crew members, engineers, navigators, and more. These experts will be stationed in the galleries from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. near the aircraft or exhibit that relates to their expertise.

November 11: In honor of

Veterans Day

December 7: In honor of Pearl

Harbor Remembrance Day

Keep the Museum ENGAGING and ENTERTAINING for future generations!

Matthew Allen Photography

This is just the beginning – you can make sure quality exhibits and fun programs continue!

If you have traveled recently, or are planning to travel this holiday season, I’m sure you know that the price of admission at similar museums is upwards of $25 per person!

As you know, it costs money to keep a museum like this FUN and educational for future generations. That’s why I am asking for your help again.

Will you send another gift to help keep the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ engaging and entertaining for generations? Your gift of $25 or more makes the Museum an EXCITING place to visit plus helps preserve, protect, and promote our military history for generations to come.

Will you please make your most generous gift today? Here’s how you can help!

I’d Like to Help Even More!

Scan or visit www.afmuseum.com/journal to make another gift to fund the special exhibits and activities that make the Museum an exciting place to visit and support the other great work of the Air Force Museum Foundation.

Your Gift Today will Keep the Museum an Exciting Place to Visit!

Scan here to give a gift of:

$25 to help 1 visitor like you experience the excitement of the Museum $50 to help 2 visitors like you experience the excitement of the Museum $100 to help 4 visitors like you experience the excitement of the Museum or a gift of your choice to provide as much help as possible