DAYTON, Oh. -- The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will host a Grand Opening Celebration for its newest permanent exhibit, “A Force for Good: Department of the Air Force Humanitarian Missions” on Saturday, April 9 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Located in the museum’s Global Reach Gallery, this new exhibit focuses on five mission areas: Aerial Delivery, Global Firefighting, Relief and Rescue, Goodwill Missions, and Critical Care. Among the notable elements of the exhibit are two 463L loaded pallets suspended from the ceiling simulating an air drop, a multi-player video game featuring the Thai Cave Rescue, and a full-sized Transport Isolation System showing the care for quarantined patients during flight.
Throughout the day, visitors will have opportunities to participate in a variety of activities including model aircraft cargo drops, parachute drops from the Space Gallery Balcony (from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or while supplies last), strapping into a parachute harness, and playing humanitarian mission trivia. Demonstrations from the Air Force Wildland Fire Branch, the 910th Airlift Wing and the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine will also bring elements of the exhibit to life.
Featured guest speakers will include Master Sgt. Kenneth O’Brien, who will share his experience in the Thai Cave Rescue, and Lt. Col. Joshua Gustafson, who will talk about the REACH 725 COVID evacuation.
In addition, the Air Force Museum Theatre will show the movie “Rescue” at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
According to National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Curator Christina Douglass, the exhibit highlights several aspects of the Air Force mission that are not always well-known.
“This exhibit brings to light important duties of the Air Force mission that often do not get enough recognition,” said Douglass. “The stories that are highlighted in the exhibit are truly amazing and we encourage everyone to come out to see this new exhibit and learn more about all that the Air Force has contributed to help make our world a better place.”
This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Since its inception, the Department of the Air Force has conducted humanitarian missions both domestically and across the globe. From the earliest days of the Berlin Airlift, to the vital operations providing lifesaving relief today, these duties are conducted by a technically skilled Force of airmen who are both precision planners and highly adaptable to the rapidly changing environments often presented in these missions. A full listing of the day’s events and updates can be found at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Humanitarian-Exhibit/.
In 2022 we proudly celebrate 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. Throughout the year we will host a variety of events and exhibits to share the history of the Air Force and the stories of our airmen with the public. A complete schedule of events and exhibits is available at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Events/75th-anniversary/.
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year thousands of visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
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NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286.
NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, contact Lisa Riley at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1283.