Air Force wins DOD awards

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- An interior view of Building 12’s rotunda. This building is the most elaborate example of art deco design at Wright-Patterson AFB. The building underwent a whole-facility rehabilitation and is a prime example of adaptive reuse of historic structures. It won the merit award from the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office in 2010. Air Force photo

Wright Field 1945

"Wright Field," a 6 x 15 foot canvas painted in 1945 by Sgt. Stuyvesant Van Veen, portrays the World War II flightline of Wright Field, now Area B of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In the upper left, a semi-transparent representation of the older portion of Wright Field can be seen, while in the upper right an allegorical figure of "Flight" reaches heavenward. The painting was once displayed in Building 126, the World War II Engineering Division Headquarters. The painting was later accessed into the Air Force Art Collection and is currently in storage at Joint Base Andrews, Md, where it is a candidate for future restoration. In August 2010 contractors began demolition of Building 126 to make way for a new base Information Technology Complex. (U.S. Air Force photo)

68th Doolittle Raiders Reunion

Vintage B-25 Mitchell bombers fly over the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, during a memorial flight honoring the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders on April 18, 2010. The 68th Doolittle Raiders' reunion commemorates the anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid. On April 18, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle's squad of 16 B-25 Mitchell aircraft bombed targets in Japan responding to the attack on Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

68th Doolittle Raiders Reunion

A vintage B-25 Mitchell bomber flies near the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, during a memorial flight honoring the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders on April 18, 2010. The 68th Doolittle Raiders' reunion commemorates the anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid. On April 18, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle's squad of 16 B-25 Mitchell aircraft bombed Japanese targets in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

68th Doolittle Raiders Reunion

Vintage B-25 Mitchell bombers stand ready to start engines and take off from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. They will join a 17-ship formation to take part in a memorial flight honoring the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders on April 18, 2010. The 68th Doolittle Raiders' reunion commemorates the anniversary of the raid on April 18, 1942, by U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle's squadron of 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers. The raid onTokyo was in response to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

Doolittle Raiders 68th reunion

James Doolittle's goblet (upper left) and the goblets of other Doolittle Raiders who have passed are displayed at the Goblet Ceremony in Fairborn, Ohio, April 16, 2010. The ceremony honors all who participated in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo during World War II. The downturned goblets represent aircrew members who have not survived. During the ceremony the name of every person is read and an attending Doolittle Raider responds to indicate the spirit of those who have passed are present. The set of goblets is now maintained by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lance Cheung)

Second floor of building 12

The natural light coming through the skylight helps to illuminate the second floor of building 12. Communication cables hang ready waiting to be installed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ted Theopolos)

Building 12 art deco

The American eagle is part of the building 12’s art deco facade. The building was erected in 1935 by the Quartermaster Corps U.S. Army and was the first Army Aeronautical Museum. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ted Theopolos)

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)

Wright Flyer to rise again Oct. 5

A 1905 Wright Flyer III built by pilot and vintage aircraft builder Mark Dusenberry is pictured at Huffman Prairie Flying Field early on Oct. 5, 2007. Dusenberry will return to the famous field, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for a special ceremony to honor the 104th Anniversary of Practical Flight, Oct. 5, 2009. (Photo courtesy National Aviation Heritage Alliance)

F-117 retires

A military and civilian audience listens to guest speakers during the F-117 Nighthawk farewell ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, March 11. The ceremony concluded with a single ship flyover. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Joshua Strang)

Stealth fighter fly-by

An F-117A piloted by Capt. Michael Driscoll of the 9th Fighter Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. makes a fly-by during a retirement ceremony for the stealth fighter fleet held Mar. 11 at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. After 27 years of service, F-117As will be placed in storage at their original home in Tonopah, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)

Where it all began

Vintage aircraft builder Mark Dusenberry pilots a replica Wright Flyer III at Huffman Prairie Flying Field. Dusenberry will reenact the first practical circling flight by a powered aircraft during a National Park Service and Aviation Heritage Foundation sponsored event at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Oct. 5. (National Park Service photo)

Negotiated peace begins at Wright-Patterson

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO, Nov. 21, 1995 -- President Slobodan Milosevic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, President Alija Izetbegovic of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and President Franjo Tudjman of the Republic of Croatia initial the Dayton Peace Accords. The Balkan Proximity Peace Talks were conducted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Nov. 1-21, 1995. The talks ended the conflict arising from the breakup of the Republic of Yugoslavia. The Dayton Accords paved the way for the signing of the final “General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina” on Dec. 14 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Brian Schlumbohm)

Air Force band plays final tribute for President Ford

Rehearsal for the funeral of Gerald R. Ford in Grand Rapids, Mich., is reflected in the bell of a sousaphone. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Tech. Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock)

Air Force band plays final tribute for President Ford

Air Force musicians warm up to rehearse for the funeral service for President Gerald R. Ford after arriving at Grace Episcopal Church Jan. 1 in Grand Rapids, Mich. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock)

Final flyby

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft do a flyby in preparation for former President Gerald R. Ford's internment Jan. 3 in Grand Rapids, Mich. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)

Cheney visits Ohio base

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Vice President Dick Cheney gestures March 26 during a speech to servicemembers and Air Force civilians here. The vice president expressed his and the president's appreciation for Air Force people during his brief stop here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Spencer P. Lane)