Barksdale Global Power Museum Explained

Map Type:Louisiana
Coordinates:32.5107°N -93.6809°W
Former Name:8th Air Force Museum
Location:Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City, Louisiana
Founder:Harold D. "Buck" Rigg
Curator:Elizabeth Jan Micaletti[1]

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.[2] [3] Work was started to return a B-17 on permanent loan from the United States Air Force Museum to flight.[4] [5] This was followed by restoration of a B-24.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8] By 1985, the museum had also acquired a B-52, KC-97, C-47, and F-84.[9] A B-29 was added in 1992.[10]

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.[11] 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.[12] [13] The museum completed a three year long renovation in 2015, during which all the rooms were rebuilt and many of the airplanes repainted.[14]

Exhibits

Collection

Aircraft

Missiles

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Johnson . Jovante . New museum curator takes over at Barksdale AFB . 29 November 2021 . Barksdale Air Force Base . 27 July 2021.
  2. News: Hilbun . Paul . Spirit of Billy Mitchell Lives at Base Museum . Shreveport Journal . 23 August 1979 . 2A.
  3. News: Larsen . Dick . WW II May Fly Again . Shreveport Journal . 27 August 1982 . 1A, 9A.
  4. News: Gingles . Keenan . 124,000 Attend HID Closeout . Shreveport Times . 1 May 1978 . 1-A.
  5. News: Smith . Steve . This Flying Fortress will Fly Again (They Hope) . Shreveport Journal . 2 March 1979 . Ten-C–Eleven-C.
  6. News: Smith . Steve . 'Ramp Tramp' Revived . Shreveport Journal . 13 July 1979 . C-Three.
  7. News: Schultz . Bruce . Rare Old AF Bomber Found . The Times . 13 August 1980 . 10-A.
  8. News: Vulcan Bomber Donated to 8th Air Force Museum . Shreveport Journal . 9 June 1982 . 14c.
  9. News: Prime . John Andrew . The Plane Facts . The Times . 24 November 1985 . 10-F–11-F.
  10. News: Prime . John Andrew . B-29 Gets New Lease on Life . The Times . 26 January 1992 . 17A.
  11. News: Prime . John Andrew . Unfavorable Report Threatens Museum . The Times . 20 November 2008 . 1A–2A.
  12. News: Prime . John Andrew . Barksdale Museum Unveils New Name . The Times . 3 October 2012 . 4A.
  13. News: Prime . John Andrew . Museum Hopes to Rebrand, Rebuild . The Times . 28 July 2011 . 3A.
  14. News: Pampe . Carla . Barksdale Global Power Museum gets Facelift, brings Past to Life . Warrior . 21 August 2015 . 6A.
  15. Web site: LOANED AIRCRAFT BY LOC . National Museum of the United States Air Force . 28 April 2020.
  16. July 1972 . Last Bugsmasher . Naval Aviation News . 18 . 29 April 2020.
  17. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Boeing PB-1W Fortress, s/n 77244 USN, c/n 32525, c/r N5230V . Aerial Visuals . 29 April 2020.
  18. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Boeing TB-29 Superfortress, s/n 44-87627 USAAF, c/n 12430 . Aerial Visuals . 29 April 2020.
  19. Web site: The Aircraft . 8th Air Force Museum . https://web.archive.org/web/20080119125327/http://www.8afmuseum.net/the_aircraft/aircraft.htm . 19 January 2008.
  20. Web site: Airframe Dossier - General Dynamics F-111E, s/n 68-0019 USAF, c/n 188 . Aerial Visuals . 29 April 2020.
  21. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21F-13 Fishbed-C (NATO), s/n 80 red TNI-AU . Aerial Visuals . 29 April 2020.
  22. Web site: Airframe Dossier - North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang, s/n 44-14570 USAF, c/n 109-28203 . Aerial Visuals . 29 April 2020.
  23. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Republic F-84F-10-RE Thunderstreak, s/n 51-1386 USAF . Aerial Visuals.

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