News>Museum opens exhibit dedicated to 'Warrior Airmen'
Photos
Master Sgt. Keary Miller shows his son, Ian, equipment used by special operations Airmen during the war on terrorism at the opening of the Warrior Airman Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Sergeant Miller, a pararescuman honored in the Warrior Airmen Exhibit , fought during the Battle of Takur Ghar, the deadliest entanglement of Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
A detailed mannequin emulates Master Sgt. Keary Miller, a pararescuman who fought during the Battle of Takur Ghar the deadliest entanglement of Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan, which is on display at the Warrior Airmen Exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
A MH-53 Pave Low helicopter along with special operations equipment and detailed mannequins showcase donated items of Airmen who served in the war on terrorism Jan. 12 at the Warrior Airmen Exhibit of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
An aerial gunner exhibit aboard a MH-53 Pave Low helicopter is one of the many displays of the Warrior Exhibit that uses donated items of Airmen who served in the war on terrorism Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
Senior Airman Harry Bromley reads about the members of his unit who gave their lives during the war on terrorism at the opening of the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Airman Bromley is a pararescuman from the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
Honor guard members from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base post the colors for the opening of the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
Mr. Dick Anderegg welcomes more than 200 honorees and guests for the opening of the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Mr. Anderegg is director of Air Force history and museums. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
Senior Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez speaks about the importance of the Airman's Creed, the foundation of the Warrior Airman mindset at the opening of the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Sergeant Colon-Lopez is a pararescueman awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
Retired Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf officially opens the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. General Metcalf is the director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
Staff Sgt. Jason Kinney shows his son, Dylan, equipment he used and donated to the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Sergeant Kinney is a tactical air control party member who served four tours in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
Kearsten Miller, 7, watches a interactive video showcasing her father, Master Sgt. Keary Miller during the opening of the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Sergeant Miller is a pararescuman who fought during the Battle of Takur Ghar, the deadliest entanglement of Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
by Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates
Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
1/13/2009 - DAYTON, Ohio (AFNS) -- A new exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force now gives visitors a chance to see not only the service's past, but also its present and future.
Called "Warrior Airmen," the new exhibit highlights how today's Airmen are contributing to the war on terrorism, both in the air and on the ground.
The exhibit includes more than 400 artifacts, three dioramas with fully dressed and equipped mannequins, an audiovisual presentation on a 15-foot wide screen, and compelling firsthand accounts
"The Air Force has always been an adaptive service," said Dick Anderegg, the director of Air Force history and museums. "This exhibit is a testament to this adaptability and serves as an opportunity for future generations to see what we already know our Airmen are capable of."
The exhibit, which opened to the public Jan. 12, is divided into three sections, each highlighting a way the Air Force is supporting efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The first section, "Battlefield Airmen," is dedicated to Air Force special operations forces such as pararescuemen, tactical air controllers and combat weather personnel. The section opens with an immersive video recreation of the battle for Takur Ghar, where several Air Force pararescuemen were either killed or wounded while attempting to rescue a Navy SEAL who had fallen out of his helicopter when it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
The next section, "Expeditionary Combat Airmen," highlights other ground operations Airmen perform on a daily basis in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. These Airmen include security forces personnel, convoy operators and explosive ordnance disposal teams.
The final section, "In the Air," demonstrates how pilots and aircrews continue to perform important missions in the air, providing close-air support, flying rescue aircraft and dropping bombs on target.
"The Air Force is truly engaged in the war on terrorism," said Jeff Duford, the museum's research historian. "But not many people realize how many Airmen are working on the ground. This exhibit will hopefully educate a lot of people on this fact."
All of the uniforms, items and photos in the exhibit were donated by Airmen who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. For them, this exhibit is a way to honor all Airmen and keep the memory of their sacrifices alive.
"This place, this exhibit, defines legacy and heritage," said Senior Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, a pararescueman who donated several items he used and wore while in Afghanistan. "Our legacy now lives on for our sons and daughters."
The exhibit also includes several firsts at the museum. There are several digital touch screens that allow visitors to interact with the displays and the donated items include numerous special operations "tools of the trade."
The exhibit itself is also an original at the museum. It is not a monument to the past, but to the present and future of Air Force operations.
"The past is static and never changes," said retired Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf, the museum's director. "This exhibit is a contemporary one, though. It will change and grow with the mission as long as the mission continues."
The "Warrior Airmen" exhibit is a permanent display at the museum and will be open year-round.
"More than 1 million people will see this exhibit each year and our hope is that they will better appreciate the courageous sacrifices of today's Airmen and gain a better understanding of how they make a difference in the world," Mr. Duford said.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free.
