Eighth Air Force Museum

The Barksdale Global Power Museum (formerly, the 8th Air Force Museum) is an aviation museum run by the United States Air Force on Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City, Louisiana. Hosted by the 2nd Bomb Wing, it maintains a large collection of military aircraft and historical artifacts that illuminate the early days of United States military aviation, the Barksdale base, and the formations of the 2nd Bomb Wing and the 8th Air Force.

The museum aims to preserve the heritage and traditions of the Air Force, particularly those of the 2nd Bomb Wing and other bomber units; to stimulate ''esprit de corps'' among Air Force personnel; to educate the public about the Air Force; and to ensure proper stewardship of its aircraft, artifacts, and art.

History

The museum opened in 1979 through the efforts of Buck Rigg, who became the volunteer curator. Work was started to return a B-17 on permanent loan from the United States Air Force Museum to flight. This was followed by restoration of a B-24.

In 1980, two airmen rabbit hunting found the remains of a Keystone B-6A bomber in the woods near the airbase. The wreckage was added to the museum's collection. In 1982, an Avro Vulcan was donated to the museum and later that year plans for recreating a World War II 8th Air Force base were announced. By 1985, the museum had also acquired a B-52, KC-97, C-47, and F-84. A B-29 was added in 1992.

However, an inspection by the National Museum of the United States Air Force in 2008 revealed that collections management procedures were insufficient and the museum was threatened with closure. A rebranding effort led to the museum changing its name in 2012 to become the Barksdale Global Power Museum, to reflect an expanded mission and avoid confusion with the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Savannah, Georgia. The museum completed a three year long renovation in 2015, during which all the rooms were rebuilt and many of the airplanes repainted.

Exhibits

* 2nd Bomb Wing history timeline in artifacts from 1918–present
* Aviation art gallery
* A September 11, 2001, exhibit includes the podium and furniture from the Eighth Air Force Headquarters when U.S. President George W. Bush made the first speech during the terrorist attacks.

Collection

Aircraft

* Avro Vulcan B.2 ''XM606''
* Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan ''42-36887''
* Beechcraft UC-45J Expeditor ''39266''
* Boeing B-47E Stratojet ''53-2276''
* Boeing B-52D Stratofortress ''56-0629''
* Boeing B-52G Stratofortress ''57-6509''
* Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter ''53-240''
* Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker ''56-3595''
* Boeing PB-1W Flying Fortress ''77244''
* Boeing TB-29 Superfortress ''44-87627''
* Ford B-24J Liberator ''44-48781''
* Convair B-58 Hustler – Rocket sled
* Douglas C-47A Skytrain ''43-16130''
* General Dynamics FB-111A Aardvark ''68-0284''
* General Dynamics F-111E Aardvark ''68-0019'' – Escape capsule
* Keystone B-6 – Wreckage
* Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird ''61-7967''
* Lockheed T-33A ''58-0615''
* Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F-13
* North American P-51D Mustang ''Composite''
* Republic F-84F Thunderstreak ''51-1386''

Missiles

* AGM-28 Hound Dog
* Titan II – Nose cone

References

External links

Barksdale Global Power Museum web site

National Museum of the United States Air Force

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Aerospace museums in Louisiana
Air force museums in the United States
Military and war museums in Louisiana
Museums in Bossier Parish, Louisiana