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Trailblazer Award and 114th Anniversary of the First Powered Flight

November 28, 2017

One evening = Two Celebrations!

114th Anniversary of Powered Flight

100th Anniversary of McCook Field

114th Anniversary of the first powered flight.

December 16, 2017 - Hope Hotel, WBAFB

 

Aviation Trail, Inc. is celebrating the 114th Anniversary of Powered Flight with our annual First Flight Dinner honoring the Wright brothers achievements in 1903.

 

We are also proud to honor the 100th anniversary of McCook Field by awarding the 2017 Trailblazer to two “descendents” of McCook Field, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Photo: Major W. Schroeder set 30,900-foot, two-man altitude record in a Packard-Le Peré LUSAC-11 Biplane at McCook Field, 24 September 1919

McCook Field was an airfield and aviation experimentation station in Dayton, Ohio, operated by the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, and its successor the United States Army Air Service from 1917 to 1927. It was named for Alexander McDowell McCook, an American Civil War general and his brothers and cousins, who were collectively known as “The Fighting McCooks.” A huge sign painted across the front of McCook’s main hangar prominently warned arriving pilots: THIS FIELD IS SMALL - USE IT ALL.

For more details on the event, CLICK HERE to go the the December 16, 2017 Event Page.

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Aviation Trail Announces Proposed Plans for Newly Acquired Buildings

November 8, 2017

The ATI HANGAR and the Aviation Experience Gallery

At the 2017 its Annual Meeting on November 8, Aviation Trail, Inc. presented an initial proposal for the future development of the the historic buildings that were acquired last year. The Pekin Theatre and the Fish Market buildings are directly east of the current Aviation Heritage Building in the Hoover Block of West Third. The purpose of the acquistiion is to develop the facility into an aviation educational site, and expand the area of the current museum. They will be be repurposed as the ATI HANGAR (Fish Market) 1042 West Third St. and the AVIATION EXPERIENCE GALLERY (Pekin Theater) 1036-1038 West Third St.

For more information on the buildings, and a slideshow of the full presentation, see the "New Building Plans" page on this website, under the Events and Projects menu heading

(CLICK HERE)

The Pekin Theatre is the building on the far left, and the Fish Market is the smaller building to its right. The tan colored building and the large building on the corner house the Aviation Heritage complex. 

The above photo shows the opposite side of the Aviation Heritage building, and the main entrance to the Aviation Trail headquarters and the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

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Dayton's National Park Winter Hours

November 1, 2017: Dayton's National Park

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park  
16 South Williams Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402, www.nps.gov/daav 

(937-225-7705)

WINTER 2017-18 SEASONAL HOURS:

Beginning November 6th, 2017 through March 5, 2018

  • CLOSED on Mondays and Tuesdays

  • Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday through Sunday


Closed on the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

During inclement weather, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park follows the opening/closure decisions of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. For up to date operating status information during inclement weather, visit the WPAFB Operating Status page. This information is updated daily. You can also call (937) 225-7705 for more information.

Beginning Monday, November 6 the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Hours of operation  during the winter months will change to Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. This change will only affect the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center. The Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site will remain open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (last tour at 3:30 pm). The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center will  resume 7- day operations on Monday, March 5, 2018. 

 

For more information please call 937-225-7705 or click here.

Winter Hours

 

Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center

16. S. Williams St., Dayton, OH, 45402

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday to Sunday,

closed Monday and Tuesday.

 

Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center

2380 Memorial Rd. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 45433, Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday to Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.

 

Paul Laurence Dunbar Historic Site

219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St., Dayton, OH, 45402, Hours: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

 

Hawthorn Hill

Tours begin at: 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409, Hours: Wednesday and Saturday at 10:00 am and 12:30 pm.

Advance pre-paid admission required. Access to the site is via shuttle van from Carillon Historical Park. Space is limited. Call for availability. (937)-293-2841

 

Carillon Historical Park - Wright Brothers Aviation Center

1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409, Hours: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Saturday, Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

 

~ Also ~ 

 

A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park

1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409, Hours: 9:30 am - 9:00 pm Nov 29 - Dec 30

Featuring thousands of Christmas lights, traditional holiday fare, Santa Claus, live music, historical craft demonstrations, and so much more. Join us for A Carillon Christmas to see Carillon Historical Park's 65-acre campus transformed into a winter wonderland of sparkle, magic, and holiday cheer! Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

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National Park Service Hosts Naturalization Ceremony

Dayton, Ohio, October 16, 2017

 

On Thursday, October 12, 2017, a naturalization ceremony was held at the the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, hosted by the National Park Service. Judge Walter Rice of the US District Court, Southern District of Ohio, inducted 32 new naturalized U.S. citizens, from 21 different countries. They took the oath of citizenship at the 2:00 PM ceremony outside in the courtyard of the Dayton Aviation Heritage Historical National Park Visitor Center. Aviation Trail hosted a reception in the conference room to welcome the new citizens, and offered them a free one year membership to congratulate them for their acheivement.    

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McCook Field Centennial

Dayton, Ohio, October 9, 2017

On Friday, October 6, a new Ohio Historical Marker was unveiled to celebrate the centennial of historic McCook Field. The airfield, was established by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Airplane Engineering Department in 1917. The research and innovation that took place at McCook was the beginning of the research, development and acquisition missions now at Wright-Patterson AFB. McCook engineers made significant accomplishments and contributions to the war effort in the field’s early years, and in the years after WWI many achievements in aeronautical testing and development took place at McCook. The slogan at the field was “This field is small, use it all”. Because of this lack of size, and land-locked location, it was closed in 1927, and its mission moved to Wright Field, now part of WPAFB.

 

On hand for the presentation were Air Force Ma. Gen. William Colley, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL),  Lt. Gen. Robert McMurry, commander of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson, and Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph, among many others from the Air Force and the community. The placement of the marker, along the east bank of the Great Miami River near downtown Dayton, will commemorate the site’s importance in aviation history.  

See more on McCool Centennial on the National Aviation Heritage Area site:

 https://www.aviationheritagearea.org/dayton-air-force-observe-mccook-field-centennial/

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National Museum of the U.S. Air Force's Fourth Building Earns Top Rating for Environmental Design.

Press Release: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, August 3, 2017

 

 

DAYTON, Ohio — In a ceremony today, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force announced its fourth building has achieved the rare distinction of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The $40.8 million, 224,000 square foot fourth building, which was privately financed by the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., opened in June 2016, and houses four galleries – Presidential, Research and Development, Space and Global Reach, along with three science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Learning Nodes.

The Gold certification was earned in part by successfully incorporating an innovative design with locally sourced building materials - including a focus on those made from recycled content; optimized energy performance from new mechanical and electrical systems; and water efficient landscaping.

Some notable statistics regarding the fourth building’s energy and environmental design include:

- 91% of building materials were locally sourced

- 75% of non-hazardous waste was recycled

- 45% of building materials came from recycled content

- 39% in energy savings from new mechanical and electrical systems

- 36% decrease in water usage

 

Although the building was designed and built with environmental considerations in mind, the project was only contractually obligated to achieve LEED Silver certification. However, the fourth building planning, design and construction teams came together with museum staff and implemented additional measures in order to obtain the additional points necessary for LEED Gold certification.

 

The team worked tirelessly to ensure the fourth building was designed in a way that fully maximized its efficiency, said BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc., President & CEO Brian Curtin.

 

“The primary design strategies used to achieve LEED Gold were two-fold - reduce consumption and replace resources," said Curtin. "By incorporating efficient lighting, mechanical and plumbing systems, the fourth building is seeing a 39 percent energy cost savings and preserving more than 135,000 gallons of water a year.”

 

Turner Construction Company, the primary contractor on the job, made it a priority to use as many environmentally-friendly building materials as possible from around the region.

 

“Nearly 40% of the total building materials content was manufactured with recycled materials,” said Kyle Rooney, Senior Vice President, Turner Construction Company. “Additionally, over 30% of the total building materials were extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site.”  

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, which executes a $1 billion program annually, managed the project. However, since the U.S. Green Building Council unveiled their rating system in 2000, only a handful of USACE projects have been awarded the coveted LEED Gold certification. This rare honor is something to be extremely proud of, said Lt. Col. Robert Newbauer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District Deputy Commander.

 

“What an accomplishment by all the members of the project delivery team,” said Newbauer. “What truly sets this project apart from others is that this particular addition was privately financed by the Air Force Museum Foundation, and is the first non-appropriated funds project that the Louisville district has participated in and achieved a LEED Gold rating.”

 

According to National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Director, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Hudson, achieving LEED Gold certification is a win-win situation for both the museum and the environment.

 

“The museum is filled with stories of Airmen who have gone the extra mile to serve our country, so it is only fitting that we go the extra mile to achieve LEED Gold certification in the fourth building,” said Hudson. “These environmentally friendly measures not only serve the museum well by keeping our utility bills down, but also allow us to do our part in taking care of our planet and preserving its natural resources.”

 

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

 

For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286.

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Aviation Trail Honors Dean Alexander on Retirement

Dayton, Ohio, July 21, 2017

On July 21, 2017 Aviation Trail Inc. held a luncheon in honor of Dean Alexander, the just retired Superintendent of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park (and concurrently the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Chillicothe).  He retired after 30 years with the National Park Service. In 2009, Dean became the third Superintendent at Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP, which was established in 1992, as a series of six noncontiguous sites that bring together Federal and State agencies with private, non-profit organizations (such as Aviation Trail) to preserve and celebrate the history of the Wright brothers, aviation, and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

 In his career Dean has served as Superintendent in several national parks, as well as in several positions as Chief of Planning, having been involved in the establishment and initial planning of several National Park Service areas. Through this experience he has acquired significant knowledge and expertise in fostering and maintaining effective partnerships. His stewardship of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park’s partnership with Aviation Trail has maintained a mutually beneficial impetus to the goal of preserving this history and making it available to the public.

Superintendent Dean Alexander at 2016 Aero Carnival

Aviation Trail President Marvin Christian (left) presented Dean (right) with a plaque as thanks for his dedicated service. As a fitting memento for Dean’s contributions to the Dayton park, an engraved plate was mounted on an original plank of wood that came from the now restored Wright Cycle Company building that is part of the park’s downtown complex.    

Board members of Aviation Trail, along with many NPS Rangers and friends, were present to thank Dean, and enjoy great BBQ lunch provided by the Texas Beef & Cattle Co. of 1101 W. Third St., just across the street from the Aviation Trail Visitor Center. The luncheon was held in the visitor center Conference Room.

Dean Alexander at Thunderbird visit in June

See this slide show for more photos from the event.

Air Force Thunderbirds Visit Aviation Trail Sites

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Dayton, Ohio, June 22, 2017

 

The Thunderbirds, the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force, arrived in Dayton a few days prior to their performance at the Dayton Air Show for a chance to tour some of the sites on the Aviation Trail. They began on Tuesday morning, June 20 with the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and Aviation Trail Visitors Center, along with the Parachute Museum and the Wright Cycle Company. The eight pilots (and one young daughter) were absorbed in all of the varied aspects of the museum, and enjoyed discussing many of the displays with tour guide NPS Ranger Ryan Qualls. They spent some extra time in the Parachute Museum with Curator Randy Zuercher, offering interesting input on the ejection seat display. Aviation Trail President Marvin Christian, and NPS Park Superintendent Dean Alexander presented the pilots with mementos of their visit, and Lt. Col. Jason Heard, Commander of the group, presented President Marvin with a signed Thunderbirds lithograph.     

More photos from the visit can be seen in the slide show below.

After leaving the downtown museum, the Thunderbirds were headed to more sites on the Aviation Trail over a two day period, including Dayton History, the Wright B Flyer, Hawthorn Hill, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and the Champaign Aviation Museum at Grimes Field in Urbana. While at Grimes Field they were treated to rides on the Champaign Museum’s  restored B-25, the Champaign Gal  (see the news release on the National  Aviation Heritage Area website for a report on the B-25 flights - https://www.aviationheritagearea.org/wwii-bomber-flies-thunderbirds-back-in-time/).

 

Follow these additional links  for more on the Thunderbirds and the Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger, and the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park:

http://afthunderbirds.com/site/

https://www.daytonairshow.com

https://www.nps.gov/daav/index.htm

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Aviation Trail Parachute Museum to Make a Presentation at AIAA Conference

Dayton, Ohio, May 25, 2017

Aviation Trail, Inc. is scheduled to make a presentation at the 24th AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference, which is part of the AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition is being held on 5 – 9 June, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The title of the ATI presentation is “Parachute Related History and Preservation”, authored by ATI Parachute Museum Curator Randy Zuercher. The presentation will be made on June 8 by Aviation Trail Vice President Steve Brown. Read more on this story on the Aviation Trail "Aviation Blog" on this website. (CLICK HERE). 

MUSEUM’S FOURTH BUILDING SELECTED FOR AIR FORCE HERITAGE AWARD

May 23, 2017 - NEWS RELEASE: National Museum of the United States Air Force, Public Affairs Division

DAYTON, Ohio — The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force was recently selected by the U.S. Air Force History and Museums Program as the recipient of the 2017 Air Force Heritage Award for the “Fourth Building Gallery Project.”

 

The award recognizes outstanding achievements by Air Force History and Museums personnel that foster a better understanding and appreciation of the Air Force, its history and accomplishments.

 

The $40.8 million, 224,000 square foot fourth building, which was privately financed by the Air Force Museum Foundation, opened in June 2016, and houses four galleries – Presidential, Research and Development, Space and Global Reach, along with three science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Learning Nodes.

 

Included among the stories found inside the fourth building are the VC-137C Air Force One (SAM 26000), which was used by eight presidents - Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton; the only remaining XB-70 Valkyrie; the C-141C Hanoi Taxi, which airlifted the first American prisoners of war out of North Vietnam in February 1973; the Space Shuttle Exhibit featuring NASA’s first Crew Compartment Trainer; and a massive Titan IVB space launch vehicle that weighs 96 tons. 

 

Museum Director, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Hudson said receiving the 2017 Air Force Heritage Award for the fourth building is a significant honor for the museum.

 

“We take great pride in telling the Air Force story to a global audience and inspiring our youth toward an Air Force or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) career, and this award is a noteworthy recognition of those efforts,” said Hudson. “The galleries in the fourth building provide visitors with the unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of presidents, astronauts, test pilots, test engineers, and those who flew and supported Global Reach missions.”
  

More information about the fourth building galleries is available at: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Expansion.aspx

 

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park to Host Dinner in Honor of Paul Laurence Dunbar

Internationally acclaimed African American poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar was born on June 27, 1872. In celebration of the one hundred forty-fifth anniversary of his birth, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, in conjunction with the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, will host a dinner to honor his legacy. The dinner will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at 33 E. Fifth Street across from the Dayton Convention Center on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 6:30 P.M. Participants will have an opportunity to celebrate Dunbar's life and raise A Toast to Dayton.

May 20, 2017, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Announcement

Participants will have an entrée choice of rosemary lemon chicken, grilled salmon, New York strip steak, or a vegetarian dish and will receive a commemorative wine glass. There will also be a moving presentation by Mitchell Capel, nationally known for his portrayals of Dunbar's works.

 

Tickets for this biennial event are available for $50 and can be purchased from the Wright Dunbar Interpretive Center located at 16 S. Williams Street in Dayton. Tickets may be paid for with cash or by check, payable to Aviation Trail, Inc. We are unable to accept credit card payments at this time, but two  installment payments of $25 each by cash or check will be accepted.

 

For more information about this event, please contact Bob Petersen at 937-225-7705 or robert_w_petersen@nps.gov. For information about other programs and events at Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, please visit www.nps.gov/daav. For more information about the Paul

Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, please contact Gregg Smith  gregg_smith@nps.gov or call: 937-224-7061. 

WACO Open Cockpit Bi-plane Rides

May 16, 2017; WACO Air Museum news release

Where: WACO Field Troy, OH

When: June 3 & 4 from 10 am – 4 pm

 

Imagine yourself in an open cockpit bi-plane with the wind in your hair.  WACO’s flying season will soon open to give you the chance to cross this off your Bucket List. The season opener coincides with the Troy Strawberry Festival. Park at WACO, take a plane ride, then shuttle on down to the festival. Plane rides are $100 per person and given on a first come, first served basis.  Call the museum for more information. 937-335-9226

 

Gretchen Hawk, Executive Director
WACO Air Museum
1865 S Co Rd 25 A Troy OH 45373
www.wacoairmuseum.org

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Aviation Trail's Celebration of Wibur Wright's 150th Birthday

April 8, 2017; Aviation Trail Incorporated

On April 8 2017, Aviation Trail members and guests met to celebrate the 150th birthday of Wilbur Wright. The celebration was held at Sinclair College in the UAS Indoor Flying Pavilion, with a dinner, and two speakers from Sinclair. With the location in the flying pavilion, the theme of unmanned aerial systems was emphasized, with a salute to the aviation innovation that flourishes in Dayton now, as it did in Wilbur's day. CLICK HERE to go to the event page for a report, and pictures of this event at Sinclair. 

 

Back to the Future: B-1 bomber flyover to continue the legacy
of two squadrons that participated in the Doolittle Tokyo Raid  
 

April 10, 2017, NEWS RELEASE: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force,

Public Affairs Division

 

DAYTON, Ohio – Two B-1 bombers from the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, will participate in a high-speed flyover at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force exactly 75 years after aircrews from these same squadrons helped launch the Doolittle Tokyo Raid.

 

Plans call for the B-1 flyover to take place on April 18 at approximately 3:15 p.m. at the conclusion of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders’ memorial service in the museum’s Memorial Park (weather dependent). The flyover will offer visitors a unique opportunity to witness the speed and power of two variable-sweep wing supersonic bombers as they fly by at a speed of 0.9 Mach and then ascend into an unrestricted climb. 

Although the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons have gone on to fly a variety of aircraft since the Doolittle Tokyo Raid (B-26, B-58, B-66, B-52 and B-1), and transitioned to other commands (they now fall under the command of the 28th Operations Group) – the Raid remains the very cornerstone of their heritage, said 28th Operations Group Commander Col. John Martin.

 

"We have the proud honor and distinct privilege of being Raider posterity – which includes Jimmy Doolittle's 'own' 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons," said Martin. "Our heritage clearly defines us, motivates us and propels us forward against today's threats. The B-1 “Bone” continues to provide critical around-the-clock long range strike to combatant commanders throughout the world.”

 

Prior to the memorial service and B-1 flyover, 17 privately-owned B-25 Mitchell bombers from around the country are scheduled to land on the runway behind the museum on April 17, and be placed on static display from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The aircraft will remain available for public view on April 18 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m., before departing for a flyover prior to the start of a memorial service in the museum’s Memorial Park at approximately 2:15 p.m. 

 

These events are free and open to the public. (Note: All outdoor events are weather dependent, and those near the museum and surrounding communities may experience the sights and sounds of increased aerial activity. The memorial service will still take place indoors in the event of inclement weather.) 
                                                            

On the evening of April 18, the Air Force Museum Foundation’s Living History Film Series presented by Mr. W. Craig Willan, will feature “Doolittle’s Raiders: The Final Toast,” in the Air Force Museum Theatre at 6:30 p.m. The event will be opened by Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” E. Cole and following the film screening, two of the Raiders’ children - Cindy Cole Chal and Jim Bower - will share stories and insight and conduct a question and answer session with the audience. Tickets for this event have been sold-out.

In addition, the Air Force Museum Store will host several authors including Stan Cohen (“Destination Tokyo”); Frank Goldstein (“The Last Reunion: A Salute to The Jimmy Doolittle Tokyo Raiders”); Dennis Okerstrom (“Dick Cole's War: Doolittle Raider, Hump Pilot, Air Commando”); and James Scott “Target Tokyo,” who will be available to sign copies of their books. The store will also have commemorative merchandise available to purchase. (Federal endorsement is not implied.)

Further information on the entire event schedule, along with photos and videos of past Raider events at the museum is available at: 
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/DoolittleTokyoRaid75thAnniversary.aspx.

On April 18, 1942, 80 men achieved the unimaginable when they took off from an aircraft carrier on a top secret mission to bomb Japan. These men, led by Lt. Col. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, came to be known as the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. Only one of the Raiders survives today - Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” E. Cole - who served as Doolittle’s co-pilot on Crew No. 1. Cole, now 101 years old, plans to be at the museum to commemorate the anniversary and will privately honor fellow Raider Staff Sgt. David Thatcher, who passed away last year.

Each year since the end of World War II, with the exception of 1951, the Doolittle Raiders held an annual reunion. The museum had the privilege of hosting the Raiders in April 1965 (23rd), 1999 (57th), 2006 (64th), 2010 (68th) and 2012 (70th), before Cole, Thatcher and Lt. Col. Ed Saylor had a final toast to their fallen comrades on Nov. 9, 2013. On April 18, 2015, Cole and Thatcher returned to the museum and were presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, which is now on display as part the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders exhibit in the museum’s WWII Gallery.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit
 www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

The theatre and store are operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., a Section 501(c)(3) private, non-profit organization that assists the Air Force in the development and expansion of the facilities of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. For more information on the Air Force Museum Foundation, visit 
www.airforcemuseum.com. The Air Force Museum Foundation is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.

 

 For more information, contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 904-9881.

Dayton's National Park facilities are now back on Seven Day Operation:

•Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center
•Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center

• Paul Laurence Dunbar Historical Site

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Open every day --  Sunday through Saturday

 

For more information please call 937-225-7705.

 

Dayton's National Park Summer Hours

March 5, 2017: Dayton's National Park

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park  
16 South Williams Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402, www.nps.gov/daav 

B-25 Mitchell bombers to highlight events commemorating 75th Anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid

March 15, 2017, NEWS RELEASE: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Public Affairs Division

 

DAYTON, Ohio - B-25 Mitchell bombers from around the country will once again take to the skies before landing at the National Museum of the U.S. Air
Force as part of a two-day tribute commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the
Doolittle Tokyo Raid, April 17-18.

Current plans call for 17 B-25 bombers to land on the runway behind the
museum on April 17 and be placed on static display from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The aircraft will remain available for public view on April 18 from 9 a.m. -
12 p.m., before departing for a flyover prior to the start of a memorial
service in the museum's Memorial Park at 2:30 p.m.
 

 

The memorial service is scheduled to conclude with a flight of two B-1 bombers from the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, which were two of the four Army Air Corps Squadrons from which the B-25 aircrews were selected for the Doolittle Raid. These events are free and open to the public. (Note: All outdoor events are weather dependent. The memorial service will still take place indoors in the event of inclement weather.)

Of the 80 Raiders led by James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle in 1942, only one survives today - Lt. Col. Richard "Dick" E. Cole - who served as Doolittle's co-pilot on Crew No. 1. Cole, now 101 years old, plans to be at the museum to commemorate the anniversary and will privately honor fellow Raider SSgt. David Thatcher, who passed away last year. 

On the evening of April 18, the Air Force Museum Foundation will present "Doolittle's Raiders: The Final Toast," as part of the Mr. W. Craig Willan Living History Film Series in the Air Force Museum Theatre at 6:30 p.m. The event will be opened by Cole and following the film screening, two of the Raiders' children - Cindy Cole Chal and Jim Bower - will share stories and insight and conduct a question and answer session with the audience. Tickets for this event can be purchased by calling (937) 253-4629. A limited number of packages, which include the book "Dick Cole's War: Doolittle Raider, Hump Pilot, Air Commando," signed by Cole and an event ticket are also available for sale. 

In addition, the Air Force Museum Store will host several authors including Stan Cohen ("Destination Tokyo"); Frank Goldstein ("The Last Reunion: A Salute to The Jimmy Doolittle Tokyo Raiders"); and Dennis Okerstrom ("Dick Cole's War: Doolittle Raider, Hump Pilot, Air Commando"), who will be available to sign copies of their books. The store will also have commemorative merchandise available to purchase. (Federal endorsement is not implied.)

Additional information on the entire event schedule, along with photos and videos of past Raider events at the museum is available at:
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/DoolittleTokyoRaid75thAnniversary.aspx.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, America's morale had slumped from numerous Japanese successes, and the country desperately needed a victory. President Franklin Roosevelt wanted to strike Japan as quickly as possible to bolster American spirits, and U.S. Navy and Army Air Forces planners settled on a bold plan to launch large bombers from an aircraft carrier to attack the Japanese mainland.

The top secret plan called for 16 B-25s to take off from the USS Hornet about 450 miles from Japan, bomb targets at locations such as Yokohama and Tokyo, and then fly another 1,600 miles to friendly airfields in China. At dawn on April 18, 1942, the task force encountered and sunk an enemy patrol boat 650 miles from Japan, forcing the raid to launch early in case the boat had radioed a warning. The Raiders dropped their bombs on Japanese oil storage facilities, factories, and military installations, then headed out
across the East China Sea. With the help of the Chinese people, most of the Raiders safely reached friendly forces. However, eight were captured by the Japanese and held as prisoners of war and three of the eight were executed.

News of the attack lifted American optimism significantly and stunned the Japanese population-their embarrassed leaders had promised the mainland would never be attacked. The Japanese shifted forces to protect their home islands, which foretold increasing Allied pressure in the Pacific, the eventual turn of the tide against Japan, and its final defeat in 1945.

According to National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Historian Dr. Doug Lantry, the Raiders were given a bold and unprecedented mission. However, the daring raid greatly succeeded in uplifting the nation.

"The Raid was an extremely risky operation because medium bombers had never been flown from a carrier before, and the fact that they were so far into enemy territory endangered the entire task force," said Lantry. "While the attack caused little physical damage, its psychological impact on the Japanese military and American public was immense and provided Americans with a much-needed morale boost."

Each year since the end of World War II, with the exception of 1951, the Doolittle Raiders held an annual reunion. The museum had the privilege of hosting the Raiders in April 1965 (23rd), 1999 (57th), 2006 (64th), 2010 (68th) and 2012 (70th), before Cole, Thatcher and Lt. Col. Ed Saylor had a final toast to their fallen comrades on Nov. 9, 2013. On April 18, 2015, Cole and Thatcher returned to the museum and were presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, which is now on display as part the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders exhibit in the museum's WWII Gallery.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world's largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

The theatre and store are operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., a Section 501(c)(3) private, non-profit organization that assists the Air Force in the development and expansion of the facilities of the National Museum of the United States Air Force.  For more information on the Air Force Museum Foundation, visit www.airforcemuseum.com.  The Air Force Museum Foundation is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.

 

For more information, contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at 937-904-9881. 

Anchor 21

Register Now for Summer Behind the Schenes Tours at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

March 8, 2017, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force news release

DAYTON, Ohio — Have you ever wondered what goes into getting an aircraft ready for display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force?  Get a first-hand look at the aircraft restoration process during the Behind the Scenes Tours.  Registration for tours through Sept. 1, 2017, will open March 31. These free tours take place every Friday from 12:15-3 p.m. Space is limited, so advance registration is required.

 

During the tours, members of the public are guided through the museum’s restoration hangars located on the historic Wright Field flight line in Area B of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, about one mile from the main museum building. Visitors will see a variety of aircraft in several stages of the restoration process, including the famous World War II bomber, B-17F Memphis Belle™.

Interested individuals can register by submitting an online form at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/GroupsandTours.aspx or by calling (937) 656-9436 Registered participants should meet in the museum’s Carney Auditorium between 11:30-11:45 a.m. There are no group reservations provided.

 

Participants must be at least 12 years old, and an adult must accompany those under 18. A government-issued photo ID (i.e. driver’s license) is required of all individuals 18 and over. Driver’s license numbers must be provided at time of pre-registration. All foreign visitors must present an original passport (NEXUS cards and foreign enhanced driver’s licenses are not authorized at this time). All foreign national guests must register at least seven days prior to the tour date. Walk-in registration for these guest is not permitted. The museum will provide bus transportation to the hangars. For security reasons, all bags are subject to search upon entry to the museum, and backpacks, packages and large camera cases are not permitted on the shuttle bus. Bag checks may be conducted while en route to the restoration hangar.  

 

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

 

NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Education Division at (937) 656-9436.

 

March 4, 2017, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Announcement

Celebrate the life and legacy of Paul Laurence Dunbar, June 27th

Paul Laurence Dunbar was born on June 27, 1872. One hundred forty five years later on June 27, 2017 there will be a dinner to celebrate his birth and to honor his legacy. Hosted by the Dunbar House Historic Site and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, the dinner will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at 33 E. Fifth Street across from the Dayton Convention Center. Beginning at 6:30p.m., participants will have an opportunity to celebrate Dunbar's life and to raise A Toast to Dayton.

 

Those participating will have an entrée choice of either rosemary lemon chicken, grilled salmon, New York strip steak, or a vegetarian option. To help celebrate Dunbar's work there will be a presentation by Mitchell Capel, nationally known for his portrayals of Dunbar's works.

 

Tickets for this biennial event are available for $50 and can be purchased from the Wright Dunbar Interpretive Center located at 16 S. Williams Street in Dayton. Tickets may be paid for with cash or by check, payable to Aviation Trail, Inc. We are unable to accept credit card payments at this time, but two (2) installment payments of $25 each will be accepted.

For more information about this event, please contact Ranger Bob Petersen at 937-225-7705 or you can send an email: robert_w_petersen@nps.gov. For information about other programs and events at Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, please visit: www.nps.gov/daav. For more information about the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, please contact Gregg Smith by email gregg_smith@nps.gov or call: 937-224-7061.

 

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
16 South Williams St, Dayton, Ohio · 937-225-7705
www.nps.gov/daav

 

Aviation Trail Celebration of Wilbur Wright's 150th Birthday

February 24, 2017, Aviation Trail Inc. Event Announcement

Aviation Trail will host a special program on Saturday, April 8, in celebration of Wilbur Wright's 150th birthday. The event will be held in the UAS Indoor Flying Pavilion at Sinclair Community College (Building 18) and the Sinclair National UAS Training and Certification Center (Building 13) will also be open for viewing. The program will feature two speakers from the Sinclair UAS program, Dr. Andrew shepherd and Dr. Ron Storm. This April 8 event is the "rescheduling" of the ATI event that had been planned for December 17, 2016 which had to be postponed. Originally planned as a celebration of the 113th anniversary of the first powered flight, and since the April date is close to the 150th anniversary of Wilbur Wright's birth (April 16, 1867), the theme is now a "Celebration of Wilbur Wright's Birthday" as well as a belated celebration of the first flight. CLICK HERE to go to the event page for all of the information on this event at Sinclair. 

Sinclair Building 18 - UAS Indoor Flying Pavilion

Wilbur Wright

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Celebrates Black History Month

 

February 4, 2017, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park News Release

In honor and recognition of Black History Month, local artist Clarice Moore will showcase her artwork at Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park throughout the month of February. 

 

Moore will present her series, Tribute in Color, at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center conference room from February 1st to February 26th, 2017. The interpretive center is located at 16 S. Williams Street, Dayton, OH 45402 along the W. 3rd Street corridor. Winter hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Laurence Dunbar visitor center, located at 219 Paul Laurence Dunbar Street in Dayton, Ohio from February 3rd to April 2nd, 2017. In addition, Ranger-led tours of the Dunbar homestead are available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The final house tour departs from the visitor center desk at 3:30 P.M. each day.

 

All events and tours are free and open to the public.

 

For additional information about events at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, or to schedule a group tour, please contact Gregg Smith (gregg_smith@nps.gov). For more information about programs and events at Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, please contact Jewel Harris (jewel_harris@nps.gov). You may also visit: www.nps.gov/daav, or call: 937-225-7705.

 

Media Contact: Jewel Harris, Chief of Interpretation & Education, Phone: 937-225-7705, email address: jewel_harris@nps.gov.

A second showcase of student artwork will be on display at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, in conjunction with the Dream Rocket Project will present the themes, "Have Pen, Will Write" and "I'll Have an Order of Lift" - a fun amalgamation of Paul Laurence Dunbar and the Wright brothers which features several pieces designed by local Dayton area students. This showcase will be on display at the 

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park & Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site to Close Early on Feb. 12, 2017

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Announcement, January 27, 2017

(Corrected)

DAYTON, OHIO, Updated Februay 7, 2017 - On Sunday, February 12th, 2017, the facilities at Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park (DAHNHP), the Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center (HPIC), and the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site (PLD) will close their doors early for an all-staff meeting.
 

The facilities at DAHNHP will open at 9 A.M. and will close at 11:45 P.M. The facilities at HPIC will open at 9 A.M. and will close at 11:30. The Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site will open at 10 A.M. and will close at 11:45 P.M. All sites will return to their normal business hours, on Wednesday, February 15th for DAHNHP and HPIC, and on Friday, February 17th for the PLD site.

 

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Your patience and continued patronage is deeply appreciated.

 

For more information about programs and events at Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, please contact Jewel Harris. For information about programs and events at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, please contact Gregg Smith, (gregg_smith@nps.gov). You may also visit: www.nps.gov/daav, or call: 937-225-7705 to learn more.

 

This press release has been updated to reflect the proper closure times.

 

EARLY PARK CLOSURE DUE TO ALL-STAFF MEETING

 

Dunbar Literary Circle: 

NOTE: Normally the Dunbar literary circle meets the second Sunday of the month but due to the Dunbar visitor center and Dayton's National Park being closed from noon to 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 12 for an all staff meeting, the literary circle has been rescheduled for February 19. 
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Your patience and continued patronage is deeply appreciated.

Join us on Sunday, February 19th, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, as we share poetry and short stories about the value of education at our Dunbar Literary Circle. Come read a passage from your favorite poet or writer or simply listen and enjoy the recitation from others. Light refreshments follow the readings and discussion.

 

Aviation Trail Celebration

 

Aviation Trail, Inc. Announcement, Updated January 27, 2017

Event Rescheduled for April 8, 2017:

The event that was originally scheduled as Aviation Trail's Celebration of the 113th Anniversary of FIRST POWERED FLIGHT, planned for December 17, 2016, had to be postponed due to unforeseeable circumstances. A new date has been announced, and the "Celebration Event" will now be held on April 8, 2017. Since that date is close to the 150th anniversary of Wilbur Wright's birth (April 16, 1867) the theme will be a celebration of Wilbur Wright's birthday. The program will still be held at Sinclair Community College. Further details, with schedule and times, will be announced soon.

The event will be held in the UAS Indoor Flying Pavilion at Sinclair Community College (Building 18), with an open house at the National UAS Training & Certification Center (Building 13) which is home to the nation’s first permanent, custom-built unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flying facility. There will be two featured speakers at the event: Dr. Andrew Shepherd and Dr. Ronald Storm, both from Sinclair Community College and both Ohioans.  

Watch this page for updates and more information on this event. 

National Park Service announces date of 2017 Aero Carnival

 National Park Service, January 27, 2017

The National Park Service's AERO CARNIVAL will be held on September 9, 2017 from 10:30 to 5:00. It will take place on Huffman Prairie Flying Field, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The event is free to all and access is through Gate 16A off of State Route 444. 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of Wilbur Wright field and McCook Field. For a list of the many activities that are lined up so far See the 2017 Aero Carnival page by CLICKING HERE.

 

(Sept. 10, 2017: see a report and photos for the 2017 event by clicking avove).

 

2017 Hollywood Film Series Announced

Dayton, Ohio - The Air Force Museum Foundation, January 26, 2017

 

The Air Force Museum Theatre is excited to announce the remainder of the 2017 Hollywood Film Series, provided through the continued sponsorship of Cassano’s Pizza King.

 

All films are shown on the six-story giant screen in the Air Force Museum Theatre, located inside the National Museum of the U.S. Air ForceTM.  Accompanied by amazing eight-channel surround sound, the largest screen in SW Ohio puts you at the center of the action in a way no ordinary theatre can.

Ticket prices for these screenings will remain $5 per person and each film will play on the 4th Sunday of every month at 4pm with the exception of December’s movie, which will be shown on December 10th.

 

The remaining films for 2017 are:

 

February-Secret Life of Pets 3D

March - Jumanji

April-Captain America: Civil War

May-Grease

June-Dr. Strange

July-Rogue One

August-Jungle Book (2016)

September-Finding Dory 3D

October-The Nightmare Before Christmas

November-Top Gun 3D

December 10th-Grinch (2000)

 

There are a limited number of Full Year passes available for $40 per person.  That’s 11 movies for the price of eight with priority seating!  Tickets can be purchased at the Air Force Museum Theatre Ticket Counter at 937-656-4629. 

 

Please be sure to check our Facebook page htttps://www.facebook.com/Air.Force.Museum.Foundation) and website (www.afmuseum.com/attractions) for updates and more information.      

 

In addition to the Hollywood Film Series, the theatre’s daily schedule includes Aircraft Carriers 3D, Journey to Space 3D and Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag 3D. For more information, please visit www.airforcemuseum.com/attractions or call 937-656-4629. 

 

About the Air Force Museum Theatre

The theatre is operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., a Section 501(c)(3) private, non-profit organization that assists the Air Force in the development and expansion of the facilities of the National Museum of the United States Air Force.  For more information on the Air Force Museum Foundation, visit www.airforcemuseum.com.  The Air Force Museum Foundation is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.

 

About the National Museum of the United States Air Force

The National Museum of the United States Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum.  With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

 

NOTE: For more information contact: Mary Bruggeman, Chief, Theatre Operations, 937-656-9623, mbruggeman@afmuseum.com  or William Horner, Attractions Operations Manager, 937-656-9627, whorner@afmuseum.com

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