Pensacola News Journal from Pensacola, Florida • 66

January 28, 2005 GOSPORT. .4 C.jf fc. I iih.s nn i liii i i J' i i I i I I 1 glf 111 fi 5 1 ilff1 ftT tl US' OS VI Tl. i i il il AL. --a 1 tS aS 0lJ 5 5 -I .1 i The Air Force Armament Museum, at the main entrance to Eglin Air Force Base in nearby Shalimar, turned 19 years old in November.

It is the only museum in the world solely dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and memorabilia associated with Air Force armament and its platforms of delivery. The museum originally had a small collection of artifacts and memorabilia, including eight aircraft and more than a dozen significant missies. Today, the armament museum boasts more than 1,100 historically important items and 29 aircraft. The hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

daily. The museum is closed on federal holidays. Right: A Republic F-1 05 Thunderchief aircraft dominates the main hall in the museum. This all-weather fighter-bomber first saw action during the Vietnam War in 1964, and soon became the mainstay of the the Air Force, flying more sorties into North Vietnam than any other Air Force aircraft. The F-1 05 Thunderchief is surrounded by both period and modern armament and displays, which highlight the history of the Air Force.

ist Air Force Armament Museum! li I mm j' 4 The mural painting, which is above the main entrance to the museum, can be viewed from the ground level or the second floor. The mural was donated by artist Mickey Harris of nearby Crestview. Below left: The GBU-28, more well-known as the "bunker buster." Work on the "bunker buster" began in mid-Janu ary 1991. The "bunker buster" first proved itself in Iraq during the Gulf War by destroying deep, hardened targets, and has since become a favorite weapon of me Air t-orce in tne uiooai war on lerrorism. n- i aiKte car a A handwritten note from "Kris" to Saddam Hussein on a GBU-28 "bunker buster." Left: Harry Waldrop (left) and grandson Chris Waldrop, both of Orlando, look at some of the guns on display at the Robert L.F.

Sikes Weapons Display Vault at the armament museum. i 'J.