8th AF Museum: walk through history

Painter Don Manning sprays another coat over an O-11B Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) truck as Ben Williford removes masking tape from the wheels of the vintage emergency vehicle at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. The painters are part of a restoration crew that has been painting a number of the outdoor static displays that are part of the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale. The O-11B was in service to the U.S. Air Force from the late 1950s to the mid 1970s. It was used under any climatic conditions for combating aircraft fires, providing fire protection services for unconventional fuel fires, aircraft maintenance and servicing operations, and support of the Air Force structural fire fighting units. The painting project is being undertaken by Affiliated Western in Fort Worth, Texas, and started in Sept 2010. Their work is scheduled to be completed next week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

A Boeing KC-97 G/L "Stratofreighter" sits on display as part of the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. The aircraft was manned by a crew of five and had a maximum speed of 400 mph, with a range of 2,300 miles. The first flight occurred on Nov. 15, 1944. A tanker version (KC-97) was introduced in 1950 using the "flying boom" refueling system. After 1956, USAF KC-97s were gradually replaced by KC-135 jet tankers, but some were modified for continued use in other roles. This particular aircraft arrived at the 8th Air Force Museum in 1980. A team of five, three from the 2nd Bomb Wing and two from the 917th Wing took a week to get the KC-97 ready for the flight to Barksdale from the DoD Salvage and Reclamation yard at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., where it had been since 1975. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

A Jet Engine Crane sits on display as part of the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. The crane was built by the International Harvester Corporation (IH) in the 1950s with the first generation models delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1959. Its primary purpose was to remove and reinstall heavy jet aircraft engines and ejection seats. This particular model, the IH 190 was retired from service in 1979 and donated to the 8th Air Force Museum in 1984. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

A MiG-21F sits on display as part of the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. The short-range day fighter-interceptor was the first major production version of the popular MiG-21 series. It is just one of many versions of this aircraft that has served in the arsenals of many nations around the world. The E-5 prototype of the MiG-21 was first flown in 1955. During the Vietnam War, MiG-21s were often used against U.S. aircraft. This particular aircraft has an unknown history. It was acquired by the USAF Museum for display at the 8th AF Museum at Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

A Boeing B-52D "Stratofortress" sits on display at the 8th Air Force Museum on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. Since becoming operational in 1955, the B-52 has been the main long-range heavy bomber of the Air Force. The B-52 has set numerous records during its many years of service. On Jan. 18, 1957, three B-52s completed the world's first non-stop around-the-world flight by jet aircraft. There were three aerial refuels during the trip. This particular aircraft saw extensive service in Southeast Asia, flying over 400 combat sorties. It was the last B-52D to retire from March Air Force Base, Calif., and was flown to Barksdale AFB in 1983. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

A Boeing B-52G "Stratofortress" sits on display at the 8th Air Force Museum on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. Since becoming operational in 1955, the B-52 has been the main long-range heavy bomber of the Strategic Air Command. The B-52G was designed to reduce the overall aircraft weight in an effort to improve performance. The most obvious change was the redesigned tail. The tail gunner's position was moved from the tail turret to a remote firing station in the forward compartment. This particular B-52G flew 35 missions during Desert Storm, including the first three low level missions. It was retired from service in Nov. 1992 and was transferred to the 8th AF Museum. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

A line of static displays of both military aircraft and vehicles sit ready for viewing at the 8th Air Force Museum on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. The museum has a gift shop, and it is accessible via North Gate Road in Bossier City, La. For more information contact the museum at (318) 752-0055. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

Edward Smith and Henry Fuller paint the Convair B-58 "Texas Hustler" Rocket Sled on display at the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. The purpose of the rocket sled was to test the ejection capsule at supersonic speeds. The painters are part of a restoration crew that has been painting a number the outdoor static displays that are part of the museum at Barksdale. The project is being undertaken by Affiliated Western in Fort Worth, Texas, and started in Sept 2010. Their work is scheduled to be completed next week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

A Lockheed SR-71A "Blackbird" sits on display at the 8th Air Force Museum on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. The long-range advanced strategic reconnaissance aircraft had a maximum speed of 2,000+ mph with a service ceiling of 85,000+ ft. Throughout its nearly 24-year career, the SR-71 remained the world's fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft. This particular aircraft accumulated 2,981 flying hours, including operational missions. It was one of two SR-71s reactivated in 1995 and saw service with NASA and the Air Force until 1999. This aircraft was delivered to the 8th Air Force Museum in Dec. 2003, and was dedicated on the centennial of the Wright Brothers historic flight Dec. 17, 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

A B-52 Stratofortress flies behind a static display at the 8th Air Force Museum on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 16, 2011. The museum is open to the general public and has a gift shop. It is accessible via North Gate Road in Bossier City, La. For more information contact the museum at (318) 752-0055. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

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8th AF Museum: walk through history

Published Feb. 18, 2011