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100th Anniversary Logo with the 100 in large letters and the museum logo
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
FREE Admission & Parking

What's Happening

Plan Your Visit
Open daily from
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
and New Year's Day)

FREE admission
FREE parking

Click HERE to plan your visit.

Visit our EVENTS PAGE for information about upcoming events and exhibits.


1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio 45433
(near Dayton)
(937) 255-3286

Looking back at 100 years of museum history

It’s hard to believe, but 2023 marks the
museum's 100th Anniversary! 

Since 1923 the museum has grown from a small engineering study collection to the world's largest military aviation museum and is a world-renowned center for air and space power technology and culture preservation. The museum is home to countless one-of-a-kind objects. Our once small engine collection now includes more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles, thousands of artifacts, and spans 20 indoor acres with additional outdoor Air and Memorial Parks that continue to grow every year.

Join us throughout 2023 as we celebrate this major milestone in our storied history with special events, exhibits and special tours for visitors of all ages.

Follow us here and across our social media platforms for updates and information on all our upcoming events and celebrations.

 

Monthly Gallery Feature: Southeast Asi

 

 

 

 

 

ROBIN OLDS MANNEQUIN

Robin Olds attended West Point, where his characteristic boldness allowed him to excel on the football field -- in 1942, he was selected as an All-American tackle. After Olds graduated in 1943, he attended flightRobin Olds flight suit in a case in front of his F-4 in the southeast asia war gallery. training and went to Europe as a P-38 pilot.

In the fall of 1966, Olds took command of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. Olds' charisma and courage endeared him to his people, and under his leadership, the "Wolfpack" became the USAF's top MiG-killing wing in Southeast Asia. Olds also played a key role in the creation of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, which improved coordination between USAF wings in Southeast Asia and became a lasting fraternal organization.

The crowning achievement for Olds was planning and leading OPERATION BOLO, when North Vietnamese MiG-21 pilots were tricked into an air battle at a disadvantage. Olds shot down a MiG-21, and his 8th TFW F-4 aircrews shot down six others with no losses. He also shot down three other MiGs during his tour. When added to his WWII victories, his lifetime victory totaled 16 enemy aircraft.

Olds returned from Southeast Asia in December 1967. Promoted to brigadier general in 1968, he became the commandant of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and he retired from active duty in 1973.

 

 

 

Image of the SE Asia Gallery looking towards the B-52 with a table in front that holds a flower sculputure in the shape of a 100.

Free guided tours of the 2nd Building, including the Southeast Asia Gallery are offered daily at 11:30 a.m.

Learn more about what else you will see in our Southeast Asia Gallery


 

Interested in hosting a private event or meeting at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force?
Click here to find out about our unique event space
 

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