Access to the William E. Boeing Presidential Gallery has been restored with the exception of the Douglas VC-118 “The Independence.” We anticipate access will resume by June 5, 2025.

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™

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Video by NMUSAF PA
Ohio's Aviation Heritage Tour: Frank Lahm
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Dec. 5, 2013 | 1:28
Stand near the Flying Schools exhibit, located on the wall in front of the Wright Flyer.

A native of Mansfield, Ohio, Frank Lahm was rated as both a balloon pilot and airplane pilot in the U.S. Army. On September 9, 1908, the Wright brothers took their 1908 Flyer to Fort Myer, Virginia, for military acceptance trials, and on its second flight Lahm accompanied Orville as a passenger on a 6 minute, 24 second flight, becoming the first U.S. military officer to fly in a powered airplane.

Following the military’s acceptance of the 1909 Flyer, aviation activities moved to College Park, Maryland, where a larger flying field was available, and after taking flying lessons from Wilbur Wright, Lieutenant Lahm flew solo on October 26.
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Ohio's Aviation Heritage Tour: William Pitsenbarger
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Ohio's Aviation Heritage Tour: John Glenn
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Ohio's Aviation Heritage Tour: Conclusion
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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.