The Research Division maintains an extensive collection of two-dimensional media as part of a government historical research facility. While primarily providing curatorial and historical research and writing in support of the museum's exhibits and aircraft restoration programs, the division provides limited research assistance to many external organizations and private individuals seeking information about Air Force aircraft, operations and personnel. The Division also serves as the museum's corporate memory by maintaining the museum's historical files and writing its annual history.

Our primary mission of internal support, plus security and staffing considerations, means that the National Museum of the United States Air Force Research Division offers only limited public access. The Research Division considers research visit requests individually, with preference given to academic and public-benefit projects (i.e. scholars and researchers working on advanced degrees or material for publication).

Due to staff workload and availability, we can accommodate only a limited number of researchers. All requests for research visits must be submitted in advance through regular mail. We cannot support same-day requests, nor can we accept research visit requests submitted via telephone or e-mail.

Information Requests

The Research Division can answer brief questions concerning USAF history and aircraft; however, due to staffing limitations, the staff cannot conduct in-depth research for the public. No e-mail or phone-in requests are accepted. All requests for information about the museum's history or aircraft must be written and sent via regular mail.

Research Visits

Research requests and visits must have specific goals and be narrow in scope. The Research Division cannot support generic information requests or visits intended simply to browse our collections. For example, we cannot support such requests as "I want to know what you have on the C-130 aircraft." Each research visit is approved based on its own research merit.

The Research Division is located in a secure area of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and can be subject to closure as a result of heightened security conditions or other factors. Situations may arise that can cause the disruption or cancellation of a planned visit to the Research Division with little or no notice. We cannot accept responsibility for any costs that may result from the cancellation or interruption of a research visit due to security of other unforeseen requirements. Please bear this in mind when planning a research visit.

Written requests for information or in-person research must be typed or printed neatly and should include the following information:

- Complete name
- Title
- Complete return address
- Telephone number (including area code) and extension (if applicable)
- Complete and detailed information request and/or questions (be specific)
- Purpose for in-person visit/project synopsis
- Signature block

All research requests must be written and sent via regular mail to:

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Research Division
1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433

Note: Due to workload, response time to written requests for questions concerning Air Force history and aircraft may be lengthy.

For more information about research resources, please see the Questions page (see Research Resources topic).