National Museum of the United States Air Force™

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.

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First Air Force Cross

Maj. Rudolf Anderson Jr. was shot down and killed over Cuba during the October 1962 crisis. He was flying a U-2 from McCoy AFB, Fla., and was brought down by a Soviet SA-2 missile. Anderson was posthumously awarded the first Air Force Cross, which had been created in 1960. Anderson and other Strategic Air Command and Tactical Air Command pilots provided pictures that gave U.S. leaders crucial information and proved to the world that offensive nuclear missiles were being placed in Cuba. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Cuban Missile Crisis

Photo used during the Cuban Missile Crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Lockheed Martin F-22A

During a test mission on July 25, 2002, this F-22 became the first Raptor to fire an air-to-air missile at supersonic speed when it fired an AIM-9 Sidewinder. This aircraft is now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Lockheed-Boeing-General Dynamics YF-22

Lockheed-Boeing-General Dynamics YF-22 firing a missile in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Northrop F-20

Northrop F-20 (Reg. No. N4416T) in flight firing a Maverick missile. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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General Dynamics F-16C

General Dynamics F-16C in-flight armament load detail. This F-16C is loaded with Sidewinder and Maverick missiles, ECM pod and external fuel tanks. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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General Dynamics F-16A

First production F-16A-10 (S/N 78-0001) loaded with two AIM-9J Sidewinder missiles, AN/ALQ-119 ECM pod and 300-gallon centerline fuel tank. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Lockheed X-17

X-17 and support equipment on the launch pad, Air Force Missile Test Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., on March 21, 1957. The rockets were launched at a slight angle and rose as high as 500,000 feet in tests such as this one before coming down in the ocean at around 10,000 mph. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Lockheed YF-12

An AIM-47 missile before loading into the Lockheed YF-12A weapons bay. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Northrop YF-5A

Northrop YF-5A with sidewinder missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Northrop F-5F

Northrop F-5F (Tail No. 00889) with AIM-9J Sidewinder, AGM-65 Maverick missiles and auxiliary fuel tanks over China Lake, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in September 1976. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Northrop F-5E

Northrop F-5E (Tail No. 01557) with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on Nov. 19, 1981. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Northrop SM-62 Snark

The first class of Snark “Missileairmen” graduated on Dec. 17, 1957. Left to right, SSgt. Maynard Denny (an honor student in that class); Lt. Col. Richard Beck, commander of the newly formed 556th Strategic Missile Squadron; Maj. Gen. Alfred Kalberer, deputy commander of the Fifteenth Air Force; and Whitley Collins, president of Northrop Aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Northrop SM-62 Snark

The Snark’s powerful solid-rocket boosters burned for four seconds, bringing the missile’s speed up to about 300 mph, then the empty booster casings dropped away as the jet engine took over. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Boeing B-52F

Boeing B-52F takeoff. Note the AGM-28 Hound Dog missiles loaded on the inboard wing pylons. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Boeing B-52D

Boeing B-52D-40-BW (S/N 56-0695). Note the GAM-72 Quail decoy missile and trailer near the nose of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Douglas RB-66B Destroyer

Douglas RB-66B Destroyer 3/4 front view (S/N 53-474) of the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Shaw AFB in 1958. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Douglas RB-66B Destroyer

Douglas RB-66B Destroyer side view (S/N 53-475) of the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (Tail Code JN). (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Martin JB-57B Canberra

Martin JB-57B Canberra 3/4 front view with 17 feet section of a Bomarc missile spliced on. This aircraft was originally B-57B S/N 52-1497, the fifth -B model built. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Boeing B-52G

Boeing B-52G-115-BW (S/N 58-247) test fires an experimental AGM-109 during the Air-Launched-Cruise-Missile (ALCM) Competition on May 14, 1979. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Screening at Entrance
All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. In addition all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons.
Prohibited Items
Prohibited Items:
- Firearms*
- Knives
- Box cutters
- Food and Soda Drinks
- Alcohol
- Coolers

* Firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons, are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC §930 (c)

Permitted Items:
- Water bottles (clear, sealed bottle, up to 20 oz.)
- Purses
- Camera bags
- Diaper bags
- Strollers
- Service animals

Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles.
Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum.
Visitor Photography Notice
Notice: Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media.
Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum.