In support of an official event 

The Museum will be closed Sunday, May 25
In addition, the Fourth Hangar will be closed Saturday, May 24

Access to the Presidential Gallery will be limited from May 15 to June 5
 

National Museum of the United States Air Force
National Museum of the United States Air Force
Presidential aircraft at National Museum of the United States Air Force

About the Museum

Welcome to the official website of the National Museum of the United States Air Force -- the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world -- located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio. This site is provided as a public service by the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Public Affairs Division.

Use the top navigation bar to find information about planning your visit as well as events and activities taking place at the museum.

Meet the Director

Learn about museum divisions. 

Museum Mission

The National Museum of the United States Air Force collects, researches, conserves, interprets and presents the Air Force’s history, heritage, and traditions, as well as today’s mission to fly, fight, win … air power anytime, anywhere to a global audience through engaging exhibits, educational outreach, special programs, and the stewardship of the national historical collection. With our educational outreach, we motivate, educate, and inspire youth interest in the United States Air Force (USAF) and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The statutory duties delegated by the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) are accomplished on behalf of the American People.

We are the keepers of their stories™

Playlist:
Video by NMUSAF PA
Museum Audio Tour 57: Cold War Gallery: Desert Shield and Desert Storm
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Dec. 31, 1969 | 1:56
In August 1990, Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, sent divisions of Iraq’s army into Kuwait. They quickly overwhelmed the small country and Hussein soon declared it part of Iraq. In the meantime, when Iraq’s leader ordered troops to begin massing along the Saudi Arabian border, several Middle East countries called for help. Operation Desert Shield, the name given to the U.S. military’s deployment of troops and equipment to defend Saudi Arabia, grew rapidly to become the largest American deployment since the Southeast Asia War. Nearly 30 nations joined the military coalition. In January 1991, when it was clear that Hussein would not withdraw his troops, Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm. During the Gulf War – as it came to be called -- military planners made the elimination of Iraq’s air defenses a top priority. The U.S. Air Force deployed aircraft such as the F-15, F-4, F-111 and A-10, all of which are on display in the Cold War Gallery. Also involved in the conflict was the AC-130. The particular plane, on display in this gallery, had a crew that showed exceptional bravery and heroism near the end of the conflict. The aircraft is nicknamed “Azrael,” which in the Koran, is the angel of death who severs the soul from the body. On February 26, 1991, it was sent to the Al Jahra highway between Kuwait City and Basrah, Iraq, to intercept the convoys of Iraqi tanks, trucks, buses and cars fleeing the battle. Dodging missiles and anti-aircraft artillery, the AC-130’s crew attacked the enemy, inflicting a lot of damage on the convoys. The crew's heroic efforts left much of the Iraq army’s equipment destroyed or unserviceable, therefore contributing to the defeat of the Iraqi forces. Just two days later, on Feb. 28, 1991, Iraq agreed to a cease-fire.
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Museum Lecture Series 12: Combat search and rescue in Desert Storm
01:45:51
Museum Lecture Series 12: Combat search and rescue in Desert Storm
Now Playing
Museum Audio Tour 57: Cold War Gallery: Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Museum Audio Tour 57: Cold War Gallery: Desert Shield and Desert Storm
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Contact Us

National Museum of the
United States Air Force
1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433
(937) 255-3286

Plan Your Visit

Air Force Mission

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win ... airpower anytime, anywhere.

To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision:

With a Total Force of more than 689,000 personnel, Airmen work to support all aspects of airpower, which includes five core missions: air superiority; global strike; rapid global mobility; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and command and control. Airpower also requires people and resources dedicated to unit readiness, base infrastructure and talent management.