Presidential, Research & Development Galleries to reopen Published Oct. 21, 2013 By Sarah Swan National Museum of the U.S. Air Force DAYTON, Ohio -- The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will reopen its Presidential and Research and Development Galleries on a limited basis beginning Thursday, Oct. 24. The galleries have been closed since May 1 as part of budget reduction requirements due to sequestration. Current resources will allow the galleries to be open from Thursday through Sunday. Museum Director Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Hudson said he is thrilled to be able to offer this experience to visitors while still operating within sequestration guidelines. "We have several popular exhibits in the Presidential and R&D Galleries, including President Kennedy's Air Force One and the XB-70 Valkyrie, and we know from the feedback we received during the closure that people have really missed seeing these aircraft," Hudson said. "The long-term solution is to move forward with the fourth building project, which will provide us the opportunity to relocate presidential and R&D aircraft to the main museum complex so that all visitors can enjoy these displays." Visitors must ride shuttle buses from the main museum complex to the Presidential and R&D Galleries, which are located on a controlled-access portion of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The museum will offer two bus trips on Thursday and Friday afternoons and four trips on Saturdays and Sundays. The shuttle service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and visitors are encouraged to sign up early in the day as buses fill up quickly. A current government-issued photo ID is required for U.S. citizens over age 18, and all foreign visitors must present an original passport. Anyone under age 18 must be escorted by an adult. Shuttle buses are not handicapped accessible, and individuals requiring special assistance should contact the museum's Operations Division in advance at (937) 255-3286 to arrange transportation. Military and Department of Defense civilians with government ID may use their private vehicle to visit the galleries from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Motorcoach tours and military reunion groups wishing to visit these galleries should contact the museum's Special Events Division at nationalmuseum.mus@us.af.mil three to four weeks prior to their visit. Additional requirements for visiting these galleries is available at http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=180. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil. NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286. NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Sarah Swan at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1283.