The National Museum of the US Air Force now houses the Memphis Belle, the famous B-17F that was Eighth Air Forces’ first heavy bomber to achieve 25 bombing missions over Europe in World War II. An agreement with the Memphis Belle Memorial Association made it possible for the aircraft to be relocated from Memphis, Tenn., to the National Museum in Dayton, Ohio. The museum has scheduled the bomber for years of restoration work, an effort that the public can watch as part of the museum’s “Behind the Scenes” tours.
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.
