First Flight

Orville Wright at the controls of the 1903 Wright Flyer during the first successful powered flight Dec. 17, 1903 at Kittyhawk, N.C., while Wilbur Wright looks on. The first flight at 10:35 a.m. was 120 feet and lasted 12 seconds. The 106th anniversary of the event will be celebrated Dec. 17, 2009 at the Wright Brothers Memorial, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Today, visitors to Wright-Patt and the Dayton region can learn about the Wright Brothers at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. (Library of Congress)

Museum opens exhibit dedicated to 'Warrior Airmen'

Retired Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf officially opens the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. General Metcalf is the director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Museum opens exhibit dedicated to 'Warrior Airmen'

Honor guard members from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base post the colors for the opening of the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Museum opens exhibit dedicated to 'Warrior Airmen'

Senior Airman Harry Bromley reads about the members of his unit who gave their lives during the war on terrorism at the opening of the Warrior Airmen Exhibit Jan. 12 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Airman Bromley is a pararescuman from the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Museum opens exhibit dedicated to 'Warrior Airmen'

Master Sgt. Keary Miller shows his son, Ian, equipment used by special operations Airmen during the war on terrorism at the opening of the Warrior Airman Exhibit Jan. 12 at the Nation Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Sergeant Miller, a pararescuman honored in the Warrior Airmen Exhibit , fought during the Battle of Takur Ghar, the deadliest entanglement of Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Museum opens exhibit dedicated to 'Warrior Airmen'

A detailed mannequin emulates Master Sgt. Keary Miller, a pararescuman who fought during the Battle of Takur Ghar the deadliest entanglement of Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan, which is on display at the Warrior Airmen Exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Oldest USAF aircraft retires

The U.S. Air Force C-131 known as the Total-In-Flight Simulator, made its final flight to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio Nov. 7. The unusual aircraft flew 2500 research flights and contributed to the advancement of many of the flight technologies integral to today’s fleet. Prior to its retirement, the TIFS, a 1955 Convair, was the oldest operating aircraft in the Air Force inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ben Strasser)

Oldest USAF aircraft retires

The crew of the Convair NC-131H Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS), a very unique aircraft created to perform research for the U.S. Air Force, signed a panel following its last mission to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Nov. 7, 2008. The aircraft will become part of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force collection. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ben Strasser)

Oldest USAF aircraft retires

The crew for the final flight of the U.S. Air Force C-131 known as the Total-In-Flight Simulator, pose near a restoration hangar at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio Nov. 7. The unusual aircraft flew 2500 research flights and contributed to the advancement of many of the flight technologies integral to today’s fleet. Prior to its retirement, the TIFS, a 1955 Convair, was the oldest operating aircraft in the Air Force inventory. The aircraft will join the National Museum of the United States Air Force collection. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ben Strasser)

Oldest USAF aircraft retires

The U.S. Air Force C-131 known as the Total-In-Flight Simulator, made its final flight to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio Nov. 7. The unusual aircraft flew 2500 research flights and contributed to the advancement of many of the flight technologies integral to today’s fleet. Prior to its retirement, the TIFS, a 1955 Convair, was the oldest operating aircraft in the Air Force inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ben Strasser)

Convair NC-131H Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS)

DAYTON, Ohio - The crew of the Convair NC-131H Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS), a very unique aircraft created to perform research for the U.S. Air Force, stands in front of the aircraft just after landing at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Nov. 7, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo)

NASIC Change of Command

DAYTON, Ohio -- Major General Craig Koziol hands the unit guidon to Colonel D. Scott George during the National Air and Space Intelligence Center's change of command ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on June 17. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Joshua Strang)