Last updated: 3/23/2011
9600 Wright Dr.
Midland, TX 79706
P.O. Box 62000
Midland, TX 79711
Tuesday - Saturday
9 AM - 5 PM
Adult $10; Teens 13-18 $ 9; Seniors 65 yrs + $9; children ( 6-12) $7; Student group rate with prior reservation, $ 2; Tour group and rental group rate $7 per person
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Jeff Wood
phone:
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Leah Block
phone:
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Clay Francell
phone:
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Autumn Hicks
phone:
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Kevin Dawson
phone:
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Karra O'connell
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Darrell Sanders
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Janet Tilley
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The CAF Airpower Museum is the educational and artifact collections branch of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) This museum located at CAF's international Headquarters is home to several interactive exhibits focusing on Honoring American Military Avitation.
The mission of the CAF Airpower Museum is to tell the complete story of World War II military aviation by collecting, preserving, and interpreting World War II material culture. The Museum serves a broad and diverse audience by preserving the memory of the men and women who built, supported, and flew the historic aircraft of World War II through educational programs, exhibits, collections and library research services. The scope of the mission focuses on World War II, and also includes the prelude to World War II, its aftermath and current applications.
RESEARCH: Research services at the CAF Airpower Museum are provided for the benefit of both scholars and the public. Resources available include: the Lloyd P. Nolen Research Center, the Airpower Archives, and a collection of almost 5,000 oral histories collected from veterans and civilians involved in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
The Lloyd P. Nolen Research Center and the Airpower Archives contain more than 50,000 items, including books, magazines, technical manuals and class books, as well as videos and research files on paper and microfilm. Topics covered include military history, with particular focus on American airpower, especially during World War II.
Gifts to the museum's endowment fund, along with general donations, sustain the museum's operating budget. Generous donations from many gracious community members are the life blood of the CAF Airpower Museum.
The mission of the CAF Airpower Museum is to tell the complete story of World War II military aviation by collecting, preserving, and interpreting World War II material culture. The Museum serves a broad and diverse audience by preserving the memory of the men and women who built, supported, and flew the historic aircraft of World War II through educational programs, exhibits, collections and library research services. The scope of the mission focuses on World War II, and also includes the prelude to World War II, its aftermath and current applications.
Today, the CAF Airpower Museum is dedicated to preserving the complete history of World War II military aviation and the memory of the men and women who built, serviced and flew the historic military aircraft of World War II. Recognized for its collection of authentic World War II artifacts and memorabilia including uniforms of Allied and Axis countries, armament, photographs, weapons, and equipment, the museum houses 100,000 square feet of “hands-on” permanent exhibits that detail the story of World War II to the introduction of the atomic age. The Museum provides interactive exhibits that illustrate aviation concepts and events from every theatre of the war. The CAF Airpower Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Accreditation certifies that a museum operates according to the standards set forth by the museum profession, manages its collections responsibly and provides quality service to the public. In 2006, the CAF Airpower Museum became an official affiliate of the Smithsonian. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is the museum’s goal to expand the reach of the Smithsonian Institution and to broaden the availability of different types of collections and resources.
Located at Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Headquarters (formerly the Confederate Air Force) in Midland, Texas, the CAF Airpower Museum shares a rich history with the CAF. In 1961, the CAF was chartered as a nonprofit Texas corporation with the mission of restoring and preserving World War II-era combat airplanes. Over the years, a small museum began to grow as World War II artifacts were donated to the CAF. In 1965, the first museum building was completed at old Rebel Field in Mercedes, Texas. When the CAF and museum moved to Harlingen, Texas in 1968, both continued to grow, and in 1989 the CAF Airpower Museum became an affiliated non-profit to serve as the educational partner to the CAF. The museum moved, along with the CAF in 1991, to Midland, Texas, its current location.
Collections include thousands of objects in four basic areas: clothing and textiles, military ordnance and surveillance equipment, personal items of soldiers, and a unique collection of Aviation Nose Art panels.
Archival holdings include books and periodicals such as maintenance, technical, and field manuals; general histories dating from World War I to Vietnam; and photographs dealing with the history of World War II aviation. The library is available for research by appointment.
The CAF Airpower Museum offers a variety of educational programs for students and adults. From the Jr. Aviation Cadet Academy to the Above and Beyond Seminar Series, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Here at the CAF Airpower Museum, Junior Aviation Cadet Academies create learning opportunities for cadets ages 10-15 years. The cadets will be introduced to the passion that brought the United States to victory in World War II. The museum offers this program in June, July and August each summer. Call the Education Coordinator at (432) 563-1000, ext. 2257 or email kdawson@aahm.org for dates. Space is limited; reserve your cadet's today!
A more in-depth version of the Junior Aviation Cadet Academy, Aviation Cadet Academy (ACA) is 5 full days of learning about Dynamics of Flight, Air Combat Simulation, Desert Survival, World War II History and Navigation. ACA includes trips to the Midland International Airport control tower, behind-the scenes tour of airport operations and a tour of the National Weather Service station. Space is limited, reserve yours early! Call the Education Coordinator at (432) 563-1000, ext. 2257 or email kdawson@aahm.org.
The footlocker program provides a unique outreach function for children. Duffle bags containing a teaching unit with the necessary items for its use are sent to area schools for two weeks. Midway through the unit.
The oral history department houses a large collection of oral history interviews from veterans who participated in every aspect of World War II. There are over 2,900 tapes in the collection, along with transcriptions for about 30% of those interviewed. Volunteers throughout the country and overseas assist in interviewing . This program adheres closely to the guidelines and principles set forth by the Oral History Association.
The Above and Beyond Seminar Series is an educational program sponsored by the Odessa Council for the Arts and Humanities, and features numerous speakers talking about American Military History and Aviation History.
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: Yes
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