National Museum of the United States Air Force™

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

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First Air to Air Refueling

To eliminate the fuel limitation problem, the fliers at Rockwell Field, San Diego, developed a system for mid-air refueling between DH-4B airplanes. Lts Frank Seifert (left) and Virgil Hine with the refueling apparatus of their Dehavilland DH-4B in early 1923.

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Enlisted Exhibit - Keep ‘em Flying

The need for highly trained mechanics reinforced the policy of recruiting only the most intelligent and technically-minded individuals to work on airplanes. Those who earned their “mechanician” certificate could earn a fifty percent pay raise. Kelly Field, 1919-1921 [NMUSAF Photo, O2 Kelly Field, 68-D65 Hisle, J H]

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Enlisted Exhibit

Sergeant First Class Harold O. Nicholls(fourth from the left on the back row), volunteered to serve as an observer with the 7th Balloon Company on multiple occasions during WWI.

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Distinguished Service Cross

Sergeant First Class Harold O. Nicholls volunteered to serve as an observer with the 7th Balloon Company on multiple occasions.

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Distinguished Service Cross

Sergeant First Class Harold O. Nicholls volunteered to serve as an observer with the 7th Balloon Company on multiple occasions.

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Defenders of the Force: Security Forces

A Security Policeman guards an F-5A Freedom Fighter at Bien Hoa Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam in 1965. Security Police in South Vietnam maintained a constant alert against sabotage attempts by the Viet Cong.

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Defenders of the Force: Security Forces

United States Air Force Strategic Air Command Elite Guard SSgt. Billy Morris stands watch wearing the signature Elite Guard beret and chrome-plated pistol.

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Defenders of the Force: Security Forces

An Air Force Security Policeman with the 485th Tactical Missile Wing guards a BGM-109G Gryphon Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) transporter erector launcher from possible threats near Florennes Air Base, Belgium, in 1987.

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Defenders of the Force: Security Forces

United States Air Force Senior Airman Mark Murphy served with the 445th Security Forces Squadron from 2011-2017, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2013 in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. There, he helped keep Bagram Air Base secure through duties like vehicle inspections and mobile patrols. Murphy marked the inside of his cap with days deployed to Afghanistan (black), days spent on emergency leave (red), and a motivational saying “TEGO SINE METU” or “protect without fear.” He wore the bracelet shown here in memory of a friend, SPC Ethan Biggers, who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

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Defenders of the Force: Security Forces

United States Air Force Master Sergeant Bud Steffens wore this uniform in the 1980s while serving with the 501st Security Police Squadron at RAF Greenham Common in England. There, he protected Ground Launched Cruise Missiles and their launch vehicles, which helped deter Soviet aggression during the last decade of the Cold War. [Photo courtesy of MSgt Chris Arnold]

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Defenders of the Force: Security Forces

A Tactical Air Command sentry team guards a TM-61 Matador tactical missile launching site in West Germany in 1954.

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Defenders of the Force: Security Forces

United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Gary Hedgecoth defends a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, TN, in 2012.

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Defenders of the Force: Security Forces

United States Air Force Airman 1st Class Todd Maghamez, right, and Senior Airman Todd Robinson, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Close Precision Engagement team, blend in with their environment during a training exercise on Dec. 8 at an air base in Southwest Asia.

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Defenders of the Force: Security Forces

Women entered USAF law enforcement in 1971, but were not assigned to security roles until 1985. Airman 1st Class Sylvia Stallings, pictured here, became the first female member of the 49th Security Police Squadron at Holloman AFB, NM, in 1972. This uniform represents one that Stallings and other female Security Police would have worn during the early 1970s. The cap is a standard issue female beret.

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Cougar CAT II A1

DAYTON, Ohio -- Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Vehicles like this one are also used by Security Forces for base defense. The raised chassis, integrated armor, and V-shaped hull have proven effective in saving lives from underbelly blasts.(U.S. Air Force photo)

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Cougar CAT II A1

DAYTON, Ohio -- Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Vehicles like this one are also used by Security Forces for base defense. The raised chassis, integrated armor, and V-shaped hull have proven effective in saving lives from underbelly blasts.(U.S. Air Force photo)

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Cougar CAT II A1

DAYTON, Ohio -- Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Vehicles like this one are also used by Security Forces for base defense. The raised chassis, integrated armor, and V-shaped hull have proven effective in saving lives from underbelly blasts.(U.S. Air Force photo)

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Cougar CAT II A1

DAYTON, Ohio -- Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Vehicles like this one are also used by Security Forces for base defense. The raised chassis, integrated armor, and V-shaped hull have proven effective in saving lives from underbelly blasts.(U.S. Air Force photo)

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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19S

DAYTON, Ohio -- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19S on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The museum obtained the MiG-19S on display from the 457th Technical Evaluation Squadron based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. It went on display in October 1994. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19S

DAYTON, Ohio -- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19S on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The museum obtained the MiG-19S on display from the 457th Technical Evaluation Squadron based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. It went on display in October 1994. (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.