Senior Airman James Starr, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron structural journeyman, fills holes after removing the old 8th Air Force Museum sign on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 24. The museum will be re-dedicated as the Barksdale Global Power Museum during a ceremony Oct. 2. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)(RELEASED)
Senior Airman Steven Price (foreground) paints over remnants of the 8th Air Force Museum sign with Senior Airman James Starr, both 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron structural journeymen, on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 24. The museum will be re-dedicated as the Barksdale Global Power Museum during a ceremony Oct. 2. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)(RELEASED)
by Senior Airman Sean Martin
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
9/27/2012 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 8th Air Force Museum will be re-dedicated as the Barksdale Global Power Museum during a ceremony here Oct. 2.
The idea for the re-dedication began in April when Air Force Global Strike Command officials and the history office decided to give the museum a new direction.
"The re-dedication will re-focus the museum and present a new storyline, as well as update the museum attractions and displays," said Amy Russell, museum director.
"Having the museum here is a big privilege to the base. Not every base has a museum located on it."
She said the museum has two main focuses which allows it to cater to various age groups and individuals.
"We are here to show military members and the local community the history and heritage of Barksdale," said Russell.
According to museum records, the majority of people who visit the museum consist of mainly retirees.
"It is amazing to hear stories from our retirees regarding some of the planes we have here," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Steinsholt, museum NCO in charge of maintenance. "It is a great honor to be able to work on these historic planes and see where we have come from."
The museum offers a wide variety of displays, but plans to re-focus them to highlight the historical background of the base. The new displays will focus on where Barksdale got its name, the history of the base, the bombers stationed here, and the heritage of the 2nd Bomb Wing.
"For a long time, we neglected the fact that we belonged to the 2nd Bomb Wing and didn't tell the story of the base we are a part of," said Russell. "I feel that it is very important for new Airmen to be able to come in here and get a good sense of their history."
Steinsholt added that it is important for Airmen to not only look forward, but remember the past.
"If we are constantly looking forward and not remembering the past, then we cannot get a clear sense of our heritage or the foundation that was laid for us," said Steinsholt.
Although the museum will have a different name and displays, it will still have an important role in explaining the story of Barksdale Air Force Base.
Comments
12/24/2012 9:19:03 PM ET Let me see if I've got this straight they changed the name from the 8 AF Museum as in The Mighty 8th to Barksdale Global Power Museum a McPeak era buzzword. Are the inmates running the asylum
Kelly, Avon
12/24/2012 5:20:56 PM ET Not surprising as screwing around with Air Force heritage IS our heritage.
Sgt whoever, conus
10/1/2012 7:02:19 PM ET Does the museum still own the B-52G and KC-135 each with a nine-or-so-foot wingspan which Walt Fortuna and I built in the the 8AF Graphics shop c. 1980 Walt also built a Boeing P-12D with a 5-6 foot wingspan in 20th FG markings. All were used on Holiday In Dixie parade floats and all were displayed in the 8AF museum at the time the museum was in the 2BW HQ building again c. 1980.ThanksMike Hylton
