LSFM Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force
Celebrating September 1 – 30
Air Force 75th Anniversary – Sun., Sept. 18
For 75 years, American Airmen have excelled as they execute the Air Force mission to fly, fight, and win – delivering airpower anytime, anywhere in defense of our nation. LSFM joins with our nation in celebrating the American airpower and distinguished military that defends our nation.
ON DISPLAY – AIR FORCE POSTERS
Posters highlighting 75 years of power, bravery and technology are on display. From the Doolittle Raiders to unmanned drones, these posters showcase the strength of the U.S. Air Force.
SPECIAL EVENTS
- Sat., Sept. 24 at 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. – Air Force Hangar Talk presented by LSFM Volunteer and Air Force Veteran, Gary Watt.
AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT ON DISPLAY
- B-25 – Official Aircraft of the Doolittle Raiders Association
- MQ-1B Predator Drone – Remotely Piloted Aircraft
- Cessna T-41 Mescalero – Military version of the Cessna 172
- Vultee BT-13 – More complex primary trainer
- Stearman PT-17 – Open cockpit trainer
- Fairchild PT-19 – Primary trainer of WWII
- T-6 Texan – Known as “the pilot maker” for its role in preparing new pilots.
- Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star – America’s first jet trainer
- Piper J-3 Cub – Early artillery spotter
- Piper L-4 Grasshopper – Most useful tactical aircraft of WWII
- Cessna L-19/O-1A Bird Dog – All-metal replacement for the Piper L-4
AIR FORCE VETERANS AT LSFM
LSFM PRESIDENT & CEO, LT. GEN. DOUG OWENS
General Owens retired from the Air Force in 2013. His accomplished career includes over 3,100 hours in aircraft including the T-6, T-37, T-38, T-41 and A/OA-10. He served as a T-38 and T-41 instructor pilot and flew combat missions in the first A-10 squadron deployed to operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. General Owens has served five tours in the Pacific, including his previous assignment as Vice Commander of Pacific Air Forces.
He has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, and served in a variety of operational and staff positions. These include assignments in the Headquarters U.S. Air Force Checkmate Division and Operations Directorate on the Joint Staff, supporting operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and others worldwide.
LSFM is honored to have several U.S. Air Force Veterans volunteer at LSFM! These volunteers can be seen giving hangar talks next to our distinguished aircraft, leading tours throughout the museum and engaging with students as they learn that aviation can inspire endless possibilities.
AIRMAN DONNA PETERS BANE
LSFM VOLUNTEER
Bane served in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 – 1973. She worked Inventory Control Management at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado and was later stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base in Plattsburgh, New York.
MIKE MARTIN
LSFM VOLUNTEER
Martin started his aviation career at the young age of 13 after joining the Civil Air Patrol in 1968. He went on to join the U.S. Air Force in 1975 and was stationed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.
TSGT. RANDALL SHEATS
LSFM VOLUNTEER
Sheats served in the 69th Aircraft Maintenance Unit in the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. He was active duty form 2013 – 2021 as a B-52H Hydraulic Systems Craftsman with deployments to Qatar, Guam, Diego Garcia and Australia.
GARY WATT
LSFM VOLUNTEER
Watt completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Craig AFB, Alabama in 1972. From there, he was assigned to the 924th Tactical Airlift Group, USAFR at Ellington where he completed C-130 Hercules Combat Crew Training School and was assigned as a squadron pilot for the C-130A Hercules Transport. He was transferred to Inactive Reserve status in 1974 until his honorable discharge in 1976.
William Van Tassell
LSFM VOLUNTEER
Enlisted 25 Oct 1968
After completing basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX, Van Tassell went on to serve in Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, trained in helicopter mechanics, and reported to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand for which he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1971.
SSGT. ROBERT WEHNERT
LSFM VOLUNTEER
Wehnert served in the 15th Army Air Corp. from 1944-1945. He was part of the 450th Bomb Group, 720th Squadron with 25 missions over Manduria, Italy. His position was a Top Turret Gunner in a B-24J Liberator Heavy Bomber. Wehnert is the only WWII Veteran Volunteer at LSFM.
