Stories of daring, stories of technological feats, stories of prevailing against the odds ... these are the stories we tell at the National Air and Space Museum. Dive in to the stories below to discover, learn, and be inspired.
Showing 61 - 70 of 181
June 21, 2022
For the crews of US Navy Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31, the “Tomcatters”), June 21, 1972, was the last day of their first line period of sustained operations onboard the USS Saratoga before a scheduled week off. That day proved to be one of the most significant in the squadron’s history. Discover why.
June 16, 2022
What's new in aviation and space
May 26, 2022
The original Top Gun features some of the most memorable naval aviation scenes in film history, due in large part to the cooperation of the U.S. Navy with the filming of the movie. Although some may presume this is the first time a major Hollywood film joined forces with U.S. naval aviation, that honor belongs to the 1931 film Dirigible.
May 01, 2022
Author Michael W. Hankins interview.
March 30, 2022
In a salute to the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier centennial anniversary, photographer Jim Preston reflects on his time on board USS America. He relives the 40 year old journey in this black and white photo essay.
March 28, 2022
The USS Langley celebrated its 100th anniversary in March 2022. Discover and explore the first US aircraft carrier through these historical photographs.
March 24, 2022
Historically, queer-identifying people in the U.S. military have been forced out or forced to hide who they are. It wasn’t until 2011 that gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers could serve openly, and only in the last few years that trans servicemembers could serve at all. And while there’s still a ways to go, last year the Air Force and Space Force formed a working group specifically for LGBTQ+ issues.
March 22, 2022
Highlighting artifacts in storage. Grumman TBF-1 Avenger in Building 22 at Smithsonian Air and at Space Museum’s Paul E. Garber Facility in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland.
January 18, 2022
Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, the eldest of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen, passed away on January 16, 2022. His life of dedicated service included flying combat aircraft in three major wars—a feat that was unthinkable before his career began, when the US military banned African Americans from combat flying roles.
January 04, 2022
A century ago, the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Langley—an ungainly new ship that would forever change military aviation.