Barksdale Global Power Museum

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.

Barksdale Global Power Museum
The exterior of the Barksdale Global Power Museum
Location within Louisiana
Former name
8th Air Force Museum
Established1979 (1979)
LocationBarksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City, Louisiana
Coordinates32.510677°N 93.680921°W / 32.510677; -93.680921
FounderHarold D. "Buck" Rigg
Websitebarksdaleglobalpowermuseum.com
Part of the Museum's collection, including a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F, an Avro Vulcan B.2, a Boeing KC-97G/L Stratofreighter, and a Boeing B-29 Superfortress

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.[1][2] Work was started to return a B-17 on permanent loan from the United States Air Force Museum to flight.[3][4] This was followed by restoration of a B-24.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7][2] By 1985, the museum had also acquired a B-52, KC-97, C-47, and F-84.[8] A B-29 was added in 1992.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11][12] The museum completed a three year long renovation in 2015, during which all the rooms were rebuilt and many of the airplanes repainted.[13]

Exhibits
  • 2nd Bomb Wing history timeline in artifacts from 1918–present
  • Aviation art gallery
  • A September 11, 2001, exhibit includes the podium and furniture from the Eighth Air Force Headquarters when U.S. President George W. Bush made the first speech during the terrorist attacks.

Collection

Aircraft
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress
Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker

Missiles

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

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