News From the Field

The History and Museum Program includes historians, archivist, and curators across the Department of the Air Force. Take a look at the work our program has done over the years and the historic events covered under their watch.

History office plays key role in OCP emblem-to-patch conversion

Since early recorded history, warring tribes often carried banners or flags marked with emblems to represent factions and motivate their warriors to fight for the cause. It is to this historical tradition that we can trace the evolution of military emblems and patches. As the Air Force begins

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Historian preserves 20th FW history

Throughout its more than 75 year history, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, has experienced many changes in its mission.

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Once an Okie, always an Okie: The History of Reserve Airmen at Tinker

U.S. Air Force Reserve units served here dating back to June 1946, when they were still part of the Army Air Forces. Since that time, Air Force Reserve units on base have flown bombers, trainers, transports, fighters and now command and control and aerial refueling aircraft.

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Maxwell welcomes first active-duty flying training unit since 1945

The 908th Airlift Wing has an active-duty associate mission partner on Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama for the first time.Detachment 3 of the 58th Operations Group had an official activation ceremony Jan. 31, 2024, on Maxwell.

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75 years of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing: Operation Iraqi Freedom

In December of 2002, while the war in Afghanistan continued to be a prominent fixture in American current events, the 386th AEW began to transform its tiny Southwest Asia undisclosed location from a small steady-state base to, at the time, the largest air base in U.S. Central Commands area of

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History can have a price tag: “Golden Shovel” returned home

A Scott Air Force Base historical artifact was recently in an antique shop and has returned home after mysteriously vanishing more than 100 years ago. After a store owner reached out to a 375 Air Mobility Wing historian, the item was brought back April 12, 2022.

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Nellis leaders, tribal reps visit Native American historical site

Commanders from the 99th Air Base Wing, the 432nd Wing, and the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) met with six tribal representatives for an excursion to a Native American cultural site within the NTTR on March 21, 2021.Nellis AFB initiated its Native American Program 25 years ago to increase

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July 27, 2017
The Great Escape: setting the record straight

A memorial ceremony took place to commemorate the “Great Escape” of World War II near Ramstein AB, Germany on July 1, 2017. The memorial honored Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Roger Bushell and French Air Force 2nd Lt. Bernard Scheidhauer, the two escapees executed near Ramstein in March 1944.
May 28, 2017
Ramstein celebrates Memorial Day at Lorraine American Cemetery

Military and civilian officials commemorated fallen service members in a solemn Memorial Day ceremony here today.

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DAF History & Heritage News

History office plays key role in OCP emblem-to-patch conversion

Historian preserves 20th FW history

Once an Okie, always an Okie: The History of Reserve Airmen at Tinker

Maxwell welcomes first active-duty flying training unit since 1945

75 years of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing: Operation Iraqi Freedom

History can have a price tag: “Golden Shovel” returned home

Nellis leaders, tribal reps visit Native American historical site

News Articles

The Great Escape: setting the record straight

Ramstein celebrates Memorial Day at Lorraine American Cemetery