USAF Airman Heritage Museum

Last updated
USAF Airman Heritage Museum
201103-F-GY993-100.jpg
USAF Airman Heritage Museum
Former name
History and Traditions Museum
Established1956 (1956) [1] [2]
Location Lackland Air Force Base
San Antonio, Texas
Coordinates 29°23′02″N98°37′18″W / 29.3840019°N 98.621705°W / 29.3840019; -98.621705
TypeMilitary aviation museum
Collection size40+ aircraft [2]
35 exhibits [3] [4]
4,000+ artifacts [3]
Visitors36,000 (2019) [2]
DirectorBill Manchester [2] [3]
CuratorFernando Cortez [3]
HistorianStephanie Ritter [3]
Nearest parkingOn base (no charge)
Website myairmanmuseum.org

The USAF Airman Heritage Museum is an aviation field museum and heritage collection of the United States Air Force located at Lackland AFB near San Antonio, Texas. [5] [6] The museum, along with the Security Forces Exhibit Annex, are part of the Airman Heritage Training Complex, run by the Air Education and Training Command. [7] Its mission is to preserve and honor the history and heritage of enlisted airmen. [4]

Contents

History

The museum opened as the History and Traditions Museum in 1956 as one of 12 satellite museums to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. [3] Museum construction began in 1956 inside a building that dates to 1942, [2] [8] and it opened to the public in February 1957. [1] With the stated purpose of giving basic trainees "pride in the past", museum staff arranged exhibits in coordination with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. They refurbished aircraft on static display to pay tribute to the planes' respective squadrons, crew, and pilots, ensuring correct paint and insignias. [1]

On March 5, 1958 the Air Force announced the consolidation of museums at Randolph and Lackland Air Force Bases into the one at Lackland. [9]

The History and Traditions Museum annual attendance was over 100,000 in the 1970s. [1] The museum had over 50 aircraft and missiles, a reference library, and miniatures recreating WWII air battles. [10] The engine exhibit contained a Liberty L-6 and L-12 and an Allison V-12 among others. [1]

SR-71 "Blackbird" towed from Kelly AFB to Lackland AFB summer 1990 Welcome to Lackland SR-71 July 1990.jpg
SR-71 "Blackbird" towed from Kelly AFB to Lackland AFB summer 1990

The SR-71A "Blackbird" was put on static display in 1990 at the Parade Ground Airpark. [11] [12]

In 2010 the museum reopened with a new name—the Airman Heritage Museum. [13]

On February 11, 2013 the Lackland Gateway Heritage Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with the USAF to build a new museum. Its goal was to raise money for the new building, targeting a fall 2017 opening. The new museum would be located on a 85,000 sq ft (7,900 m2) site [4] north of the parade grounds. [8] It would have 50,000 sq ft (4,600 m2) of exhibit space and be privately funded with $50 million by the Airman Heritage Foundation. [14] [13]

In 2014 the Airman Heritage Museum and Security Forces Exhibit Annex were brought together under a single entity, the Airman Heritage Training Complex, itself operated by the Air Education and Training Command. [7]

The museum recognized members of the Tuskegee Airmen and their families at opening of their exhibit on May 4, 2015. [15] The research for the exhibit had begun in 2014 at the Air Force Historical Research Agency. [16]

The Airman Heritage Foundation continued to raise funds in 2019 for new building set to open in 2022. It is planned to be more accessible, with the entrance outside the base. [3]

In 2019 the Airman Heritage Museum had 36,000 visitors and the Security Forces Exhibit Annex had 23,000 visitors. [2]

In 2020, nine static aircraft of the Southeast Asia Airpark were moved to make room for construction of new Airman Training Complexes. Aircraft moved to the Parade Ground Airpark included the B-52, F-4, F-5, F-100, B-57, B-66, and F-105. The T-37 and UH-1 were moved to the Inter-American Air Force Academy. The Airman Heritage Training Complex provided technical support for the move. [17]

Collections

Airman Heritage Museum

Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" bi-plane exhibit 220118-F-FV908-002.jpg
Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny” bi-plane exhibit

The current indoor space is 6,778 sq ft (630 m2) [13] with 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) of exhibit space. [4] The museum has over 4,000 artifacts from 1907 to present, [3] which are on loan from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. [2] A total of 35 exhibits are on display, including scale models of planes, a B-24 bomber simulator, the Tuskegee Airmen exhibit, an original Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny” bi-plane fuselage skeleton with OX-5 engine, [18] an exhibit on the precursor to the Air Force, the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps, a display on Women in the Air Force, and more. [19] [3]

Outdoors, the Airman Heritage Museum has over 40 aircraft on static display. [20] [21] Most of the Static Display Aerospace Vehicles are located at the Parade Ground Airpark. [3] The aircraft represent Army Air Corps and Air Force history [22] spanning eight decades. [2] [18]

List of aircraft

Security Forces Exhibit Annex Museum

The Security Forces Annex contains 47 exhibits and an archival repository pertaining to the history of the Air Force Security Forces since 1947, [2] including the history of military, air, and security police. [35] Special exhibits are on display regarding women in the Security Forces and military working dogs. [19]

Airman Heritage Foundation

The Airman Heritage Foundation is the private non-profit organization that supports and raises funds for the museum. [3] [14] Its mission is to preserve and honor the history and heritage of enlisted airmen. [4]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ added April 1998 [23]
  2. ↑ added 1984 [24]
  3. ↑ added February 1979 [25]
  4. ↑ added June 28, 1976 [26]
  5. ↑ painted as unit #2
  6. ↑ added September 6, 1972 [27]
  7. ↑ added November 19, 1981 [28]
  8. ↑ added September 24, 1993 [29]
  9. ↑ replica painted as P-38L 43-78538
  10. ↑ added April 29, 1970 [30]
  11. ↑ added February 17, 1979 [31]
  12. ↑ added October 5, 1985 [32]
  13. ↑ added June 4, 1990 [33]
  14. ↑ painted as unit #2
  15. ↑ added March 1980 [34]

Related Research Articles

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II. They formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). The name also applies to the navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, instructors, crew chiefs, nurses, cooks, and other support personnel. The Tuskegee airmen received praise for their excellent combat record earned while protecting American bombers from enemy fighters. The group was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lackland Air Force Base</span> US Air Force base near San Antonio, Texas, part of Air Education and Training Command

Lackland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located in Bexar County, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and an enclave of the city of San Antonio. It is the only site for USAF and United States Space Force enlisted Basic Military Training (BMT).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Air Force</span> Numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for non-flying training

The Second Air Force is a USAF numbered air force responsible for conducting basic military and technical training for Air Force enlisted members and non-flying officers. In World War II the CONUS unit defended the Northwestern United States and Upper Great Plains regions and during the Cold War, was Strategic Air Command unit with strategic bombers and missiles. Elements of Second Air Force engaged in combat operations during the Korean War; Vietnam War, as well as Operation Desert Storm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sixteenth Air Force</span> US Air Force information warfare organization

The Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) (16 AF) is a United States Air Force (USAF) organization responsible for information warfare, which encompasses intelligence gathering and analysis, surveillance, reconnaissance, cyber warfare and electronic warfare operations. Its headquarters is at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Education and Training Command</span> Major command of the United States Air Force responsible for military training and education

The Air Education and Training Command (AETC) is one of the nine Major Commands (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force (USAF), reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force. It was established 1 July 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Training Command</span> Former U.S. Air Force training command

The Air Training Command (ATC) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) Major Command designation. It was headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, but was initially formed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. It was re-designated as Air Education and Training Command (AETC) following a merger with Air University (AU) on 1 July 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airman's coin</span>

The Airman's coin is a challenge coin that is awarded to United States Air Force enlisted Airmen upon completion of Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. After the award of the coin the individual is no longer referred to as "trainee," but as "Airman," marking the successful completion of the first phase of training in becoming an Airman in the United States Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence E. Roberts</span> Member of the Tuskegee Airmen (1922–2004)

Lawrence Edward Roberts Sr. was a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen and a colonel in the United States Air Force, with 32 years of total military service. He is the father of newscaster Robin René Roberts and Sally-Ann Roberts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles McGee (pilot)</span> US Air Force officer (1919–2022)

Brigadier General Charles Edward McGee was an American fighter pilot who was one of the first African American aviators in the United States military and one of the last living members of the Tuskegee Airmen. McGee first began his career in World War II flying with the Tuskegee Airmen, an all African American military pilot group at a time of segregation in the armed forces. His military aviation career lasted 30 years in which McGee flew 409 combat missions in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War.

Master Sergeant Buford A. Johnson was a member of the famed group of African-American World War II pilots and support personnel known as the Tuskegee Airmen. During World War II, he served as the chief mechanic servicing the fighter planes of the 99th Fighter Squadron of the 477th Composite Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Working Dog Teams National Monument</span> National Monument of the United States in Texas

The U.S. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is a monument to military working dogs located at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. The monument represents handlers, dogs, and veterinary support, from all military service branches that have made up the Military Working Dog program since World War II. The monument grounds include a 3,000 square feet granite plaza, granite pedestals, granite history wall, granite benches and water fountain. The granite pedestals have large bronze statues of dogs and handlers. The monument was dedicated on October 28, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theodore Johnson (Tuskegee Airman)</span> WWII-era Air Force serviceman (1924–2020)

Theodore P. Johnson, Jr. was an American military serviceman who served during World War II and was a Documented Original Tuskegee Airman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Johnson Kelly</span> Tuskegee Airman and USAF officier (1928–2018)

James Johnson Kelly was a United States Army Air Force/United States Air Force officer who served with the 99th Fighter Squadron and 332nd Fighter Group. He served in the Korean War at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, and he retired in 1971 as a Major in the Air Force and a Squadron Commander.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James H. Harvey</span> American Tuskegee Airman fighter pilot (born 1923)

James Henry Harvey III is a retired United States Army Air Corps/United States Air Force (USAF) officer and former African American fighter pilot who served with 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails", or among enemy German pilots, Schwartze Vogelmenschen. He is one of the 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen pilots.

George Richard Bolling I was a U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.

Charles Blakesly "Buster" Hall was an American combat fighter pilot and U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails".

Yancey Williams was a U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer and pilot with the 85th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter L. McCreary</span> U.S. Army Air Forces officer

Walter Lee McCreary (POW) was an U.S. Army Air Forces/U.S. Air Force officer, former prisoner of war (POW), and one of the original combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 100th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He was one of the first hundred African American fighter pilots in history, as well as one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.

Vernon V. Haywood was a U.S. Army Air Force officer, combat fighter pilot/jet pilot, and commanding officer of the 332nd Fighter Group's 302nd Fighter Squadron, a component of the Tuskegee Airmen.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Lackland Home of Air Force Traditions, History Museum". San Antonio Express . September 17, 1972. p. 10-K.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DeKunder, David (November 9, 2020). "Airman Heritage Museum honors legacy of Airmen". Joint Base San Antonio .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Frank, Nicholas (July 7, 2019). "Bexar's Eye: A Small Corner of Lackland AFB Holds a Wealth of Military Aviation History". San Antonio Report. Photos by Bonnie Arbittier.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fact Sheet" (PDF). Airman Heritage Foundation. August 2019.
  5. ↑ "Aviation Museums". National Museum of the United States Air Force . Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  6. ↑ "Details - USAF Airman Heritage Museum - Atlas Number 4200001460". Texas Historical Commission . September 16, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Strang, Joshua (October 25, 2018). "Enlisted Heritage and Training Complex uses the past to teach the present". Joint Base San Antonio .
  8. 1 2 Joseph, Mike (March 26, 2013). "Foundation, Air Force sign agreement for new museum". San Antonio Express-News .
  9. ↑ "Economy move won't catch oldest man on AF roster". Corpus Christi Caller-Times . Vol. 75, no. 341. March 6, 1958. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Thousands visit Lackland museum annually". San Antonio Express . May 13, 1976. p. 5-C – via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 Allen, Paula (November 14, 2020). "Air shows keep San Antonio looking up to local military". San Antonio Express-News .
  12. ↑ "Welcome to Lackland". Panama City Gulf Defender. Vol. 38, no. 25. USAF photo by TSgt. Michael Haggerty. July 6, 1990. p. 7 – via Newspaper Archive.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. 1 2 3 Bates, Matthew (October 2012). "Keeping Time". Airman . Photos by Bennie J. Davis III. pp. 1–3. ISSN   0002-2756. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12.
  14. 1 2 Keegan, CK (August 1, 2014). "New museum to inspire Airmen". The Montgomery Advertiser – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Christenson, Sig (May 5, 2015). "Air Force salutes Tuskegee Airmen's enlisted corps". San Antonio Express-News .
  16. ↑ Nichols, Lynsie (May 8, 2015). "Lackland's Tuskegee Airmen exhibit opens to the public". Air Force. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Delgado, Alex; Kersey, Rachel (June 25, 2020). "JBSA-Lackland's Southeast Asia Airpark relocated". Joint Base San Antonio . Photo by Johnny Saldivar.
  18. 1 2 Miller, Jay (November 11, 1971). "the Armchair Aviator". The Austin American . Vol. 58, no. 117. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. 1 2 DeKunder, David (February 8, 2022). "New exhibits make history come alive at Airman Heritage Museum". Joint Base San Antonio .
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 "Aircraft on Loan (by Location)" (PDF). National Museum of the US Air Force . April 2016. pp. 45–46.
  21. ↑ "Airpark". Airmen Heritage Training Complex. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  22. ↑ "Lackland Air Park". Lackland AFB . Archived from the original on 2011-11-07.
  23. ↑ "Cessna A-37B "Dragonfly"" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. June 25, 2014 – via YouTube.
  24. ↑ "B-52D "Stratofortress"" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. June 25, 2014 – via YouTube.
  25. ↑ "RB-57A "Canberra"" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. June 25, 2014 – via YouTube.
  26. ↑ "WB-66 Destroyer" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. June 25, 2014 – via YouTube.
  27. ↑ "C-47 "Skytrain"" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. June 25, 2014 – via YouTube.
  28. ↑ "C-123 "Provider"" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. June 25, 2014 – via YouTube.
  29. ↑ "F-15 "Eagle"" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. June 25, 2014 – via YouTube.
  30. ↑ "F-84" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. August 5, 2014 – via YouTube.
  31. ↑ "F-86-A" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. August 5, 2014 – via YouTube.
  32. ↑ "JF-105" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. August 5, 2014 – via YouTube.
  33. ↑ "SR-71 "Blackbird"" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. June 25, 2014 – via YouTube.
  34. ↑ "UH-1B Iroquois" (Video). Lackland AFB Historian. June 23, 2014 – via YouTube.
  35. ↑ "Home Page". Security Forces Museum Foundation. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
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