1 00:00:01,610 --> 00:00:03,480 - I am definitely excited to be reopening 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:05,280 the National Museum of the US Air Force. 3 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:06,460 And along with our partners 4 00:00:06,460 --> 00:00:07,870 at the Air Force Museum Foundation 5 00:00:07,870 --> 00:00:09,100 and the National Aviation Hall of Fame, 6 00:00:09,100 --> 00:00:13,070 we're all eager to welcome the public back into our spaces. 7 00:00:13,070 --> 00:00:16,450 We think we have made the experience, 8 00:00:16,450 --> 00:00:19,100 something that is a relatively low risk for them 9 00:00:19,100 --> 00:00:21,800 as they come out in this environment. 10 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:22,680 And at the same time, 11 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:25,090 we're trying to offer some new exhibits. 12 00:00:25,090 --> 00:00:26,900 So I think we've done a pretty good job 13 00:00:26,900 --> 00:00:28,470 of balancing safety of guests 14 00:00:28,470 --> 00:00:30,830 and staff along with an opportunity 15 00:00:30,830 --> 00:00:33,780 for visitors to have an enjoyable experience. 16 00:00:33,780 --> 00:00:35,610 We have two new aircraft exhibits, 17 00:00:35,610 --> 00:00:37,380 so one in the Southeast Asia Gallery 18 00:00:37,380 --> 00:00:39,140 brought back an old favorite Black Mariah, 19 00:00:39,140 --> 00:00:41,180 which is a painted black helicopter 20 00:00:41,180 --> 00:00:43,660 from the Southeast Asia days used for infiltration missions. 21 00:00:43,660 --> 00:00:46,380 We brought an MC-12 in from current era 22 00:00:46,380 --> 00:00:48,130 and we brought two new space exhibits in. 23 00:00:48,130 --> 00:00:49,900 One on the global positioning system, 24 00:00:49,900 --> 00:00:51,380 which is something a service 25 00:00:51,380 --> 00:00:53,290 the Department of the Air Force provides 26 00:00:53,290 --> 00:00:54,820 to the world as free utility, 27 00:00:54,820 --> 00:00:57,700 and a means to get satellites into geosynchronous orbit. 28 00:00:57,700 --> 00:00:59,080 So there's a whole new exhibit on that, 29 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:00,810 so we welcome that. 30 00:01:00,810 --> 00:01:03,983 We also will be bringing additional exhibits in the future. 31 00:01:05,380 --> 00:01:07,100 The staff in order to get ready for reopening 32 00:01:07,100 --> 00:01:10,550 under the new guidelines has been doing exceptional work. 33 00:01:10,550 --> 00:01:13,260 Involved alterations to the physical plant. 34 00:01:13,260 --> 00:01:14,490 Some of which you see behind me, 35 00:01:14,490 --> 00:01:15,820 this used to be the Art Gallery, 36 00:01:15,820 --> 00:01:17,440 it's now our new entrance. 37 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:19,980 And this is the means by which people will come in, 38 00:01:19,980 --> 00:01:24,060 have an opportunity to buy their tickets for the attractions 39 00:01:24,060 --> 00:01:25,390 and the theater, 40 00:01:25,390 --> 00:01:27,190 and get information about new exhibits 41 00:01:27,190 --> 00:01:28,980 and anything else they wanna know. 42 00:01:28,980 --> 00:01:31,430 They then move on into the normal exhibit spaces, 43 00:01:31,430 --> 00:01:33,890 the interaction there will be fairly normal, 44 00:01:33,890 --> 00:01:36,620 but there are hand sanitizers in every station. 45 00:01:36,620 --> 00:01:40,060 We have a very good cleaning staff, we've doubled that. 46 00:01:40,060 --> 00:01:43,380 And we're doing deep standardization every four hours. 47 00:01:43,380 --> 00:01:45,890 So we're looking after the welfare, both of our staff 48 00:01:45,890 --> 00:01:47,327 and guests during this time. 49 00:01:47,327 --> 00:01:49,327 And we look forward to bringing them in. 50 00:01:50,180 --> 00:01:52,930 For those who either are too far away to visit us 51 00:01:52,930 --> 00:01:54,220 in the current situation 52 00:01:54,220 --> 00:01:57,480 or more importantly for those who are local, 53 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:00,480 who perhaps just don't want to come out during this time, 54 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:02,580 we do provide an online presence. 55 00:02:02,580 --> 00:02:04,912 There is an Air Force Museum website 56 00:02:04,912 --> 00:02:06,370 at airforcemuseum.mil. 57 00:02:06,370 --> 00:02:09,720 There's an Air Force Museum Foundation website. 58 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:12,370 Both of those have access to online materials. 59 00:02:12,370 --> 00:02:13,530 We have a virtual tour, 60 00:02:13,530 --> 00:02:17,470 we have video interviews with significant heritage folks 61 00:02:17,470 --> 00:02:21,140 and we periodically do live streaming on Facebook 62 00:02:21,140 --> 00:02:24,470 as significant events take place such as aircraft movements, 63 00:02:24,470 --> 00:02:25,380 gallery changes 64 00:02:25,380 --> 00:02:27,530 and other significant events taking place. 65 00:02:27,530 --> 00:02:29,870 So if you don't wanna come visit us right now, 66 00:02:29,870 --> 00:02:31,270 we will look forward to welcoming you 67 00:02:31,270 --> 00:02:32,570 whenever you're comfortable, 68 00:02:32,570 --> 00:02:34,670 but in the meantime, you will have ability 69 00:02:34,670 --> 00:02:36,653 to access what's going on inside. 70 00:02:38,700 --> 00:02:40,140 The biggest thing is, 71 00:02:40,140 --> 00:02:42,640 people should feel comfortable about coming. 72 00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:44,010 Just have to be mentally prepared 73 00:02:44,010 --> 00:02:45,090 that you're gonna be wearing a mask 74 00:02:45,090 --> 00:02:46,470 while you're in the museum. 75 00:02:46,470 --> 00:02:48,803 Bring your bottle of water, that's a change. 76 00:02:49,700 --> 00:02:51,010 Our water fountains are closed, 77 00:02:51,010 --> 00:02:52,680 but it is a permanent change going forward. 78 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:55,330 And we will welcome you in with your bottled water 79 00:02:55,330 --> 00:02:56,470 as you walk around the museum 80 00:02:56,470 --> 00:02:58,040 and feel free to enjoy yourself 81 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:01,060 and make use of the facilities, 82 00:03:01,060 --> 00:03:02,920 make use of the attractions, 83 00:03:02,920 --> 00:03:04,570 the theater, the gift shop, 84 00:03:04,570 --> 00:03:06,210 and the cafeteria. 85 00:03:06,210 --> 00:03:08,323 Those are all open for your convenience.