Wright-Patterson Air Force Base -- In 2026, the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding, a milestone reflecting two and a half centuries of innovation, service, and national progress. As the world’s largest military aviation museum, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will commemorate this historic anniversary by exploring how advancements in air and space power — driven by Air Force innovation, people, and missions — have shaped America’s past, strengthened national defense, and continue to influence its future.
Throughout the year, the Museum will participate in America 250-Ohio, a statewide initiative designed to connect Ohio’s people, places, and achievements to the broader national story of the United States. The program features monthly themes that highlight original ideas, leadership, and innovation with lasting impact beyond state borders.
As part of this effort, the Museum will identify select aircraft, artifacts, and stories throughout its galleries that align with each monthly theme. January’s theme — Ohio’s Firsts & Originals — focuses on pioneering achievements and original innovations with strong Ohio connections. In addition to highlighting Ohio firsts and original innovations, the Museum is also featuring select nationally significant “firsts” and original achievements from its collection that reflect the spirit of the theme and demonstrate how Ohio-connected ingenuity helped advance American aviation, aerospace, and air power.
Visitors will find featured items marked with America 250-Ohio placards with QR codes throughout every Museum gallery. Scanning the code will link guests to a dedicated Museum webpage explaining how each item connects to the theme — whether through technological innovation, historical significance, or its role in advancing U.S. air and space capabilities.
Many of the highlighted milestones trace their origins to Ohio, while others represent broader American achievements whose influence extended worldwide. Together, they illustrate how Air Force ingenuity — from early flight experiments to modern aerospace breakthroughs — has played a critical role in shaping the nation’s security and global leadership.
“As the nation reflects on 250 years of American history, these stories show how ingenuity connected to Ohio helped Airmen push the boundaries of flight, strengthen national defense, and shape the evolution of air and space power,” said David Tillotson, Director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Later this month, the Museum will host a special interactive engagement program on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. during which trained volunteers will be stationed at select featured artifacts throughout the Museum to share additional context and answer questions about the Ohio’s Firsts & Originals theme.
The Museum is also a participating site on the Ohio Air & Space Trail, a statewide driving trail created by the National Aviation Heritage Area as part of the America 250-Ohio celebration. Visitors can scan a Trail QR code at the Museum to log their visit; guests who check in at 15 participating sites across Ohio are eligible to receive a prize through the America 250-Ohio program.
In conjunction with the Museum’s America 250 participation, the Air Force Museum Store, operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation (federal endorsement not implied), will offer a wide array of America 250–branded merchandise, giving visitors an opportunity to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary through commemorative items.
America 250-Ohio highlights will continue throughout 2026 as new monthly themes are introduced. Museum admission is free. For more information, visit nationalmuseum.af.mil.
About the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
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. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day), 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 hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information or to plan your visit, go to www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.