THE AIR FORCE MUSEUM FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ms. Frances A. Duntz - Chairman Mr. Philip L. Soucy - President Col (Ret) James B. Schepley - Vice President Col (Ret) Susan E. Richardson - Secretary Mr. Robert J. Suttman II, CFA - Treasurer Dr. Deborah E. Barnhart, CAPT (Ret), USN Col (Ret) Mark N. Brown Dr. Thomas J. Burns, PhD Brig Gen (Ret) Paul R. Cooper Dr. Pamela A. Drew Mr. Roger D. Duke Mr. David C. Evans Col (Ret) Frederick D. Gregory Sr. Mr. Benjamin T. Guthrie Maj Gen (Ret) E. Ann Harrell CMSgt (Ret) Eric R. Jaren Mr. Gregory G. Lockhart Lt Gen (Ret) C.D. Moore II Lt Gen (Ret) Richard V. Reynolds Gen (Ret) Charles T. Robertson Jr. Mr. Scott J. Seymour Mr. Harry W. (Wes) Stowers Jr.
From the Executive Director
Earlier this year I was talking with a family member about the future of his business—a popular town pub. As he looked around, he said, “At one point, there were 25 or so men sitting here, true characters who were the heart and soul of the pub. They are mostly gone now and are not easily replaced.” As he spoke I realized that while he appreciated the past, and the friendly, profitable environment he had created, he recognized it was “a younger man’s game” now to reinvent the pub with a new cast of characters. Reading the articles in this Friends Journal, it seemed to me the same scenario has played out in our space programs. Truly we had our own “characters”—like the test pilots and astronauts who flew the X-15, the Gemini, and the Apollo 15—and others, like Neil Armstrong, who demonstrated just how “down to earth” the first man to walk on the moon was. These men who paved the way for our country’s success in aerospace are often thought of as unique, not easily replaced, for their extraordinary accomplishments
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE Lt Gen (Ret) J. L. Hudson, Director Krista Strider, Deputy Director/Senior Curator
FOUNDATION Executive Director - Michael Imhoff Chief Development Officer - Col (Ret) Mona Vollmer Development Assistant - Olivia Dyson Membership Manager - Matt Lynch Membership Coordinator - Michele Giefer Membership Office: 1-877-258-3910 (toll free) or 937-656-9615
In my tenure, I have had the honor to talk with many who have ventured into space. And while each was unique, they all had one trait in common: their willingness to invest their unique skills and talents to build upon the accomplishments of those who had gone before . . . becoming the new cast of characters who would enable our nation to remain the global leader in developing and delivering successful aerospace ventures. As we look to the future, I know I can count on your continued support to ensure that the National Museum of the United States Air Force will always be here to tell the stories of the true characters whose investment in aviation and aerospace made the extraordinary look ordinary and inspired the next generation of space pioneers. With respect,
Mike Imhoff P.S. This Friends Journal is special for two additional reasons. It includes an expanded Museum Store “Wish Book,” to make holiday gift shopping a breeze, and an autographed X-15 centerfold from the last living X-15 test pilot, Maj Gen Joe Engle. Joe visited the Foundation office while he was at the Museum earlier this month and gave his stamp of approval to Art Director Mark Riley’s X-15 illustration by signing it. We hope you enjoy it, too!
Friends Journal
Editor - Peggy Coale Art Director - Mark A. Riley Editorial Assistants - Michael Giefer, Joe King, Robert Pinizzotto, Art Powell Publications Office: 937-656-9622 Cover: Apollo 15 launch on July 26, 1971 (NASA Photo)
The Friends Journal is published quarterly by the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the expansion and improvement of the National Museum of the United States Air Force and to the preservation of the history of the United States Air Force. Authors retain all rights to further publication or use. Author’s views expressed in the Friends Journal do not necessarily represent those of the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. or those of the United States Air Force. Printed in the USA. USPS Standard ”A” rate postage paid at Dayton, OH. Subscription to the Friends Journal is included in the annual membership of the Friends of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. All materials are copyright 2015 and may not be reproduced without permission from the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. Submission of material for publication and correspondence concerning contents should be addressed to The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., 1100 Spaatz St., P.O. Box 1903, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-1903, ATTN: Editor. Or email it to pcoale@ afmuseum.com.