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  • Wright 1909 Military Flyer

    The Wright 1909 Military Flyer became the first military heavier-than-air flying machine. Upon purchase by the Signal Corps for $30,000 on Aug. 2, 1909, the U.S. Army designated the Wright 1909 Military Flyer as Signal Corps Airplane No. 1, and it remained the only Army airplane for nearly two

  • Hmong and other Indigenous People

    The majority of the Vietnamese population is made up of ethnic Vietnamese (84%) and ethnic Chinese (2%) who for the most part tend to live in urban and coastal areas. The remaining population is made up of tribal groups whose ancestors came to Vietnam from other Asian countries and who are referred

  • Story Ideas

    The National Museum of the United States Air Force offers the media a wide range of interesting and unique topics that can serve as the basis for an attractive feature story. Particular possibilities include:NASA Crew Compartment TrainerWork continues on the NASA Crew Compartment Trainer (CCT)

  • Col. John Plating

    "Air Transport and the Politics of War"Feb. 21, 2013 - 7:30 p.m.Col. John Plating is an associate professor of history at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He earned his Ph.D. in military history at The Ohio State University, and is the author of The Hump: America's Strategy for

  • Northrop “Gee-Whizz” Decelerator Sled

    During World War II, the U.S. military became concerned with pilot injuries experienced during aircraft accidents.  To better understand the problem, the U.S. Air Force ran tests launching this sled down a 2,000 ft. long track at up to 200 mph. The sled was then quickly stopped, producing a

  • Col. Neel E. Kearby Medal of Honor

    Col. Neel E. Kearby, a particularly aggressive fighter pilot and motivating leader, often initiated successful flights against superior numbers. On Oct. 11, 1943, Kearby led three of his pilots against nearly 50 Japanese aircraft near Wewak. Tearing through the enemy formation, Kearby shot down six

  • Santa Claus Sleigh - S.C. Mk II

    Aircraft of the Week - Special EditionThe Santa Claus sleigh was the first known aircraft to utilize multiple hoofed animals to propel itself through the air. This sleigh was designed, built and flown by pioneer aviator and generous elf, Mr. Santa Claus of Peoria, Illinois, who had a life long wish

  • Air Force Vocabulary

    Click on the letters below to learn more about Air Force vocabulary.Definitions were taken from the Air Force Handbook, Inaugural EditionA-CD-IJ-PQ-Z