Museum provides Airmen a link to Air Force heritage

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Katherine Holt
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  For some Airmen, their knowledge of history only comes from the Professional Development Guide.

However, the Barksdale Global Power Museum brings history to Airmen and the local community through exhibits and artwork.

"We are telling your story," said Amy Russell, Barksdale Global Power Museum director. "Bring your families. Come and see where you come from."

Some of the unique items visitors can see at the museum include a B-24J Liberator bomber, one of only 17 of the B-24 series of bombers currently on display or in the restoration process worldwide. The original production amounted to more than 18,000 bombers.

Other displays include the items used by former President George W. Bush when he briefed the media from Barksdale on Sept. 11, 2001 after the terrorist attacks that morning, and a re-creation of the home of U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. Eugene Hoy Barksdale, for whom the base is named. The furniture and piano in the display were brought to the museum from Barksdale's childhood home.

"Some Airmen may not even realize that the 2nd Bomb Wing's history dates back to World War I," said Russell. "This museum is here, not just for community members, but for Airmen whether they have just arrived, or have been here for years."

The mission of the Museum is to generate interest, awareness, and education of the history and heraldry of the 2nd Bomb Wing and the Bomber to generations of all ages and to help preserve the aircraft and memorabilia on display in the museum and on the base grounds.

The Museum boasts a wide variety of WWII paraphernalia including uniforms worn by those who fought in the war.

For Russell, the WWII exhibit is one of her two favorite parts of the Museum.

"Every time I look at the WWII uniform items, I think about the part they played in securing our freedom," she said.

The historical painting by artist Roy Grinnell is also her favorite part.

"All of Roy Grinnell's art is based on real people, planes and events," said Russell. "All of his art connects back to something that actually happened. He doesn't paint just to paint."

Though the North Gate is currently closed to vehicle traffic, the museum is still open to the public and open for business.

"We are still open regular hours," said Russell. "The Air Park is still open from dawn until dusk, and patrons can use the new audio feature to take a tour at their leisure."

Community members looking to visit the museum can park in one of the 18 available parking spots right outside the gate, provide their driver's license to the guard on duty and walk through the gate to access the museum.

Military ID card holders are able to visit the museum via Lindberg Road to access the museum parking lot.

The museum is open 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. For more information contact the Museum at 318-456-5553 or visit their website at http://barksdaleglobalpowermuseum.com/.