Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio -- The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ (NMUSAF) has debuted a rare Soviet MiG-25 in its Cold War Gallery and will soon open a second special exhibit, Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & The Art of War, arriving the week of December 20.
Rare Soviet MiG-25 Now on Temporary Display
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (“Foxbat”) was one of the fastest and most feared combat aircraft ever built. Entering Soviet service in 1970, it was designed as a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance platform capable of reaching Mach 2.83. The MiG-25’s capabilities were so impressive that they instilled a sense of urgency within the American defense establishment during the Cold War.
“The MiG-25 is interesting not only as an adversary warbird, but also for what the fear of it did to the American defense establishment in the late 1960s,” said Will McLaughlin, NMUSAF Curator. “Technical experts’ suppositions and spy photographs flashed warning signals across the Cold War Air Force. Its large frame and huge intakes hinted at capabilities that the F-4 could only hope to achieve. This call to arms prompted the development and adoption of one of America’s most successful aircraft — the McDonnell Douglas F-15.”
The Museum’s MiG-25RB has a remarkable history. Found in 2003 by American forces buried in the sand near Al Taqaddum Airbase, about 250 kilometers west of Baghdad, the aircraft was concealed to protect it from coalition airstrikes. Recovered incomplete — with the wings missing and vertical stabilizers removed for transport — the MiG arrived at the Museum in 2006.
Plans call for the MiG-25 to remain on display in the Cold War Gallery through March 2026, offering visitors a chance to explore this iconic piece of Cold War aviation history.
Coming Soon: Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & The Art of War
Opening Saturday, Dec. 20th, Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & The Art of War brings the work of Pulitzer Prize–winning artist Bill Mauldin to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This special exhibit will be on display at the Museum through March 15, 2026.
Presented through a selection of sketches and combat-themed artwork, the exhibition highlights Mauldin’s distinctive ability to capture the humor, humanity, and hardships of life at war. The exhibit is on loan from the Pritzker Military Museum & Library and made possible through the generous support of the Air Force Museum Foundation (no federal endorsement implied).
The exhibit explores themes Mauldin returned to throughout his career—from the daily realities of service life to his later commentary on military and political issues as a nationally syndicated cartoonist. Featuring more than 150 original drawings, published cartoons, and personal artifacts — including his Purple Heart and professional correspondence — the exhibit offers insight into the breadth of Mauldin’s work and his role in documenting the military experience.
“The Air Force Museum Foundation is proud to support the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, providing critical funding and support for special exhibits,” said Foundation Acting CEO Melinda Lawrence. “Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & The Art of War, organized by the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, is a great example of an exhibition that focuses on the people who serve in the military — something the Museum has worked hard to emphasize in recent years. By enabling these special exhibits, the Foundation underscores its dedication to broadening public access to compelling military-history storytelling.”