8/19 USAF Day

This was really an Air Force day.  Tour of Offutt AFB with a special briefing on MIA recovery and identification followed by lunch at the officers' club - then a couple of hours at the Strategic Air Command Aerospace Museum (SASM).

Some of the photos on Offutt were taken through the bus windows - we had three buses for about 130 people on the tour. 

One of the big changes for many of us was the multi-service presence on the base - Army, Navy, and Air Force especially in the combined service Strategic Command which is lead by an admiral (four star).










A new building for the Strategic Command is being built on the base.








The 55th Wing is the active aircraft element on the base.












The primary active aircraft we saw were many RC-135s and a couple of E4s (mobile command post).

















Of course you know what kind of base you are on by the street names, too.





The active duty guide on our bus even mentioned a building design element for Navy personnel working in this building.

We never had hangers in which to do maintenance at any bases at which I was stationed.









They have a huge physical training facility, too.









The officer housing area looks stately compared with the newer operations buildings.








We heard a briefing from one of the specialized elements on the base - the Defense POW/MIS Accounting Agency (DPAA).







She provided interesting information about the more recent efforts to continue identification of remains of the USS Oklahoma, sunk on 12/7/1941.  Amazing results for a challenging task.








After lunch at the Patriot Club (Officers' Club), we went to the static displays of an EC-135 and B52 for a group photo which will be available on the association's website eventually.

We then travelled to the SAC (Strategic Air Command) Aerospace Museum (SASM).  Enroute, we saw a vane for a wind turbine being transported on a crossing highway ...







..... as well as a view of the Holy Family Shrine we had visited a couple of days ago - this time from I80.









We finally arrived at the SASM.












Immediately inside was an SR71 in an attitude I had not seen in previous SR71 static displays elsewhere.









There were moving exhibits including the desk used by President George W. Bush on 9/11/01 when he was moved to Offutt AFB ...







...  a special US Flag, the panels of which had been decorated by children after 9/11 then assembled into the Flag ....

... and a representation of the twin towers comprised of a necktie for every individual who died in the twin towers bombing, created by a veteran student at the local university in 2002.  This was suspended from the ceiling of the museum.









Before I present the aircraft photos, there were a couple of novel things there - a unique space shuttle ride for the toddlers ...







... and a warning to watch out when walking around the exhibits.



















Slightly out of chronological order - we all were glad to get on the buses ahead of the imminent storm after seeing all the exhibits.







Now the aircraft.  North Vietnam painted MIG21











I didn't recall having seen KC-97 refueling tankers before.

X38 Crew Reentry Vehicle







B29












B17









B52 B








Lower crew level trainer for B52










B58 that set a speed record - Tokyo to London in 8 hours, 35 minutes.














B47













B36














And the best view I have had of a displayed U-2







The SAC motto has not changed.










Tomorrow is a "free day" prior to the association banquet tomorrow night.

Marty