Events

Each year, the museum hosts hundreds of events that help convey the Air Force story and military aviation spirit. Indoor and outdoor events range from flying events, exhibit openings and aircraft rollouts to ceremonies, reunion groups, memorial dedications and guest lectures.

A Special Tribute to man's
Best Friend

Celebrating the final days of the
Canine Warrior exhibit

Friday, January 24, 2020, 6 – 9 p.m.

Note: The museum will remain open between 5 - 6 p.m.

Visit the extraordinary “Canine Warrior” exhibit before it closes at the end of January
Meet the exhibit artist and craftsman James Mellick
Learn about canine impact to our country’s defense
Meet therapy dogs from 4 Paws for Ability*
Learn about adoption abilities in the greater Dayton area
Tour the museum after hours
Shop in the Museum Store for Canine Warrior souvenirs and other merchandise*

Free giveaways:

Balloon dogs (one per family)
Dog treats
Light refreshments for humans!

(while supplies last)

6 – 6:45 p.m.
Enjoy a free showing of the movie “Superpower Dogs”
Air Force Museum Theatre

Narrated by Chris Evans, “experience the life-saving superpowers and extraordinary bravery of some of the world’s most amazing dogs. In this inspiring true story, our best friends are also real-life superheroes. Journey around the globe to meet remarkable dogs who save lives and discover the powerful bond they share with their human partners.” (limited seating)

7 – 8 p.m.
Free program in the Carney Auditorium

See an obedience demonstration by the Wright-Patterson AFB kennel handlers and their K9 partners.
Personal Reflections presentation by artist James Mellick. Hear a lighter side of his dog sculptures and how the Wounded Warrior Dogs Project evolved.

Only service dogs permitted at this event.

Click here to view the News Release

*Federal endorsement not implied

Plane Talks

Plane Talks will occur a few times a year and allow visitors the opportunity to interact with various subject matter experts. The experts at these talks may include veterans, active duty, former pilots, crew members, engineers, navigators, and more. These experts will be stationed in the galleries near the aircraft or exhibit that relates to their expertise. These Plane Talks programs often occur on the anniversary of a significant Air Force or military event.

Monday, February 17, 2020, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Presidents Day Plane Talks

Presidential Gallery in Building 4
Sacred Cow - Joseph Ventolo, former Museum Curator
SAM 26000 - Lt Col (Ret) Jack Hampshire, former Advance Agent
SAM 26000 - Maj (Ret) Lewis Newhard, former Pilot
SAM 26000 - Maj (Ret) Robert Weatherly, former Pilot Flight Examiner
SAM 26000 - Maj (Ret) Don Brown, former Pilot and Instructor
SAM 26000 - CMSgt (Ret) Danny Bowen, former Crew Chief
SAM 26000 - SMSgt (Ret) Gerald Mongelli, former Structural Repair Technician
SAM 26000 - TSgt (Ret) Kimberly Weatherly, former Communication System Flight Examiner

Future Dates:
March 28 - In observance of National Vietnam War Veterans Day
May 16 - Armed Forces Day
September 18 - 73rd Anniversary of the Air Force and POW/MIA Recognition Day
November 11 - Veterans Day
December 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Concerts

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force teams up with the USAF Band of Flight and other performers for concerts throughout the year.

Concerts are free and open to the public, and at times, tickets are required. Most concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Doors open for indoor concerts at 6:30 p.m., and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Performances last approximately 70-90 minutes and may include an intermission.

For more information about upcoming concerts, please call (937) 522-3252.

"Hearts, Heroes, Heritage" Concert
Saturday, February 22

Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 12

Micro Drone Race

Saturday, February 29, Race starts at 11 a.m.

See fast flying micro machines, in this rapid growing sport, as pilots maneuver their drones over, under and around the C-124 and F-82 along the racecourse in the Korean War Gallery. (Public will not be able to walk inside of the C-124 during this event.)

The race will begin at 11 a.m. and will consist of a series of 2-minute heats with four drones in each heat. (Pilots will practice between 9-11 a.m.) Spectators will be able to watch the race along the course, as well as from a large scene that will show the drones’ perspective as they are racing. Click here for a map of the event area.

In addition, visitors will be able to try their hand at flying drones and learn about different models of drones available on the market.

Note: The drone pilots in this race have pre-registered to participate (registration has closed).

The flying of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) on museum grounds is strictly prohibited. This includes drones and model remote control aircraft. Unauthorized sUAS flights are immediately reported to security forces. Only pre-approved drones participating in this event are permitted to fly inside Building 2.

Secrets Revealed

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Learn about the Air Force perspective of the
SR-71, U-2, Cold War and more recent operations.

Additional details coming soon!

World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous

Friday, October 2 – Saturday, October 3, 2020, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This two-day event features replica World War I flying aircraft, re-enactors, radio-controlled model aircraft, period vehicles, music and more. Check our website closer to the event for additional details.

Air Force Museum Theatre

The Air Force Museum Theatre* offers a Living History Series and a Hollywood Film Series on several dates throughout the year.The theatre is operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation. There is a cost associated with these film series. Visit the links for more information.

Living History Series ($)

2020 dates coming soon!

Hollywood Film Series ($)

2020 dates coming soon!

* The Air Force Museum Theatre is operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation. Federal endorsement is not implied.

Illustration of museum hangar with doors open showing aircraft inside. Text in illustration reads "First Thursday; Open Late until 8 p.m.

The museum, theatre, gift shop and cafés will remain open until 8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month in 2020. In addition, one aircraft will be open each month for visitors to look-in.

February 6
Look-in the B-1B Lancer between 5-8 p.m.
Photography will not be permitted inside the aircraft, however, you can click here to see 360 images of the interior of the B-1.

Learn more about the bomber from museum volunteers Gavin Ketchen and Don Chislaghi.

With 25+ years active duty, Mr. Ketchen supported operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 1994, he was selected as one of twelve initial cadre B-2 instructor pilots at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. He later severed as Vice Commander, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, flying the B-1B. As his last active duty assignment he served as United States Senior Defense Official, Defense and Air Attaché to Australia. Mr. Ketchen continues to serve the Air Force as a civilian.

Mr. Chislaghi has over 40 years of engineering experience in the research, development, and acquisition of aeronautical systems. During his career, he served as Director of Engineering for the B-1B and was responsible for the technical execution of the B-1B Conventional Mission Upgrade Program and all sustainment activities associated with support of the fielded system. Under his technical leadership, the program office fielded four major upgrades to the B-1B.

Movie Schedule:
5 p.m.             Fighter Pilot 3D
5:30 p.m.        Aircraft Carrier 3D
6 p.m.             D-Day: Normandy 1944 3D
7 p.m.             Apollo 11: First Steps

March 5
Look-in the cockpit of the F-100F between 5-8 p.m.
Learn more about the aircraft from museum volunteer Col. (Ret.) Jack Wilson, a former pilot, flight instructor and aircraft Commander, who has flown the F-100C and F-100D, as well as the F-4 and F-101. He also participated in 100 Missions North Vietnam and 45 Missions Laos. (Movie schedule to be announced.)

April 2
May 7
June 4
July 2
August 6
September 3
October 1
November 5
December 3

Details about the open late nights will be announced on a quarterly basis. More information available in the News Release.

Private Event Venue

Interested in hosting a private event or meeting
at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force?

Download the Private Event Guide

For additional information contact
events@afmuseum.com or (937) 656-9627

Free guided tours

The museum is laid out in chronological order, making it easy for visitors to self tour the facility. We offer six free guided tours of the galleries a day, as well as a Glimpse Behind the Scenes program that provides an opportunity to engage with program volunteers on elements of the restoration process highlighted through a variety of materials and visuals. Click on the dropdown arrows below for additional information.

10 a.m. - Building 1
10 a.m. - Building 1 (Early Years and WWII Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Early Years Gallery to experience the beginnings of flight with the Wright Brothers and the evolution of aircraft from ‘sticks and fabrics’ to a metal airplane and an enclosed cockpit. The docent will then guide you into our WWII Gallery which features the first bomber to take off from an aircraft carrier, the Memphis Belle, and the first jet fighter aircraft. Meet the docent at the entrance to Early Years Gallery.
11:30 a.m. - Building 2
11:30 a.m. - Building 2 (Korean and Southeast Asia War Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Korean War Gallery which features the first Jet-to-Jet Combat Fighter, and the Southeast Asia War Gallery which is home to the Stratofortress, the B-52 Bomber. Please note there is only one guided tour of the Korean War and Southeast Asia War Galleries offered daily. Meet the docent at the information desk in second building.
12 p.m. - Building 4
12 p.m. - Building 4 (Space, Research & Development, Presidential, and Global Reach Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of our newest building which features a full-size, walk-on Space Shuttle exhibit, the first airplane into Hanoi to liberate the POWs, the Fighter version of the SR-71, and the presidential aircraft which returned John F. Kennedy’s body from Dallas in 1963. Meet the docent at the information desk in fourth building.
1 p.m. - Building 1
1 p.m. - Building 1 (Early Years and WWII Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Early Years Gallery to experience the beginnings of flight with the Wright Brothers and the evolution of aircraft from ‘sticks and fabrics’ to a metal airplane and an enclosed cockpit. The docent will then guide you into our WWII Gallery which features the first bomber to take off from an aircraft carrier, the Memphis Belle, and the first jet fighter aircraft. Meet the docent at the entrance to Early Years Gallery.
1:30 p.m. - Building 3
1:30 p.m. - Building 3 (Cold War and Missile Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Cold War Gallery which features the largest Bomber ever built and put into service by the U.S. Air Force, the SR-71, the B-2 Bomber and other stealth aircraft. In our Missile Gallery, you will missiles towering over one 100 feet. Please note there is only one guided tour of the Cold War and Missile Galleries offered daily. Meet the docent at the information desk in third building.
3 p.m. - Building 4
3 p.m. - Building 4 (Space, Research & Development, Presidential, and Global Reach Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of our newest building which features a full-size, walk-on Space Shuttle exhibit, the first airplane into Hanoi to liberate the POWs, the Fighter version of the SR-71, and the presidential aircraft which returned John F. Kennedy’s body from Dallas in 1963. Meet the docent at the information desk in fourth building.
Glimpse Behind the Scenes
The Glimpse Behind the Scenes program is offered the first and third Friday of each month from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. in the Space STEM Learning Node located in Building 4.

This program provides an opportunity to engage with program volunteers on elements of the restoration process highlighted through a variety of materials and visuals.

This program will take place every first and third Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. and is open to all visitors. Registration is not necessary. Interested visitors can stop by the demonstration tables located in the Space STEM Learning Node located in Building 4 anytime between 1-3 p.m.

Click here fore additional information about the Glimpse Behind the Scenes and Tours.

Note: This program replaces the previously existing Behind the Scenes Tour.

Security Notice

All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. In addition, all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives.

Prohibited Items
Prohibited Items:
- Firearms*
- Knives
- Box cutters
- Food and drink
- Bottled water (exceptions can be made for medical conditions)
- Alcohol
- Coolers
- Backpacks

* Firearms and other dangerous weapons are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC §930 (c)

Permitted Items:
- Purses
- Camera bags
- Diaper bags
- Strollers
- Service animals

Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles.
Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum.
Visitor Photography Notice
Notice: Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media.
Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum.

Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.

Check our calendar for a
complete list of events

Museum location
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is located at:

1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433

(near Dayton, Ohio)
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Celebrating the final days of the Canine Warrior exhibit

Private Event Venue

Free guided tours

Security Notice

Celebrating the final days of the
Canine Warrior exhibit