Joint-Ops Convention 2010

[Tiger]

August 27th - 29th, the Joint-Ops Convention 2010 will take place in Dayton, Ohio, themed around the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Anybody wishing to attend that does not have access to the website, please e-mail us for information at inquiry@joint-ops.com. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, is the largest and oldest museum of its type in the world. It features over 14 acres under roof. The aircraft span from early flight to WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, and present day aircraft.

The early year’s gallery features many aircraft from many nations from Wright Brothers to WWII. Martin Aircraft recently built a replica of the Martin B2 Bomber that Billy Mitchell used to show the US military how an aircraft could sink a battleship. The aircraft was built using the original drawings, materials, and tooling. It is truly one of a kind. All of the original B2’s were destroyed.

The Air Power Gallery features aircraft from WWII. There are aircraft from the US, Britain, and Germany. The museum is the only military museum in the world that has all four of the Allied night fighters on display. There is a Beaufighter on display along with a Japanese Zero that is marked as one of the aircraft that attacked Pearl Harbor.

There is also on display, a V1 and V2 Rocket. Early Jet lovers will enjoy the Me262 and 163 on display. The V2, sitting on its launcher, is one of the finest examples on display along with being the only one of its kind in North America. Also in the gallery is ‘Bockscar’, the B-29 that dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, along with both examples of the two atomic bombs.

There is also a Cherry Blossom (Japan's name for a manned suicide glide bomb). This is the only one in existence. It was a training version with a landing skid. All major fighters of WWII are on display in this gallery along with the Bombers. This is IL-2 Overload!

The Modern Flight Gallery now houses the ring of technology. This is in the middle of the gallery. It starts with the Wright Flyer and goes to the F-22 Raptor. The Global Hawk, the Predator, and the Boeing Bird of Prey are examples of some of the experimental aircraft housed here.

The left side of the gallery houses aircraft used in Vietnam. To the right side are the aircraft used in Korea. Both gallery’s have some unique aircraft. This is where the mighty B52 rests.

The next gallery is the cold war gallery. A lot of reconnaissance aircraft are here. The huge B-36 is in this gallery along with all the BLACK aircraft. This is where the F-117, the SR-71, and the U-2 can be seen. It is the only place in the world you can see a B-2 Stealth Bomber up close. The B-47 and various other jet and cargo aircraft are housed here as well.

Behind the Scenes Tour Registration -- August 27, 2010

Registration Information

Behind the Scenes Tours are regularly scheduled, free guided tours of the museum's restoration area. The museum shuttle bus transports participants to the restoration hangars, located on the historic Wright Field flight line in Area B of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, about one mile from the main museum complex.

Behind the Scenes Tours are offered every Friday (some exceptions) at 12:15 p.m. Advanced registration is required, and registrations are currently being taken for tours through August 2010. Sign up early as tours may fill up quickly! Registration closes the Wednesday before the tour; however, a limited number of "stand-by" registrations are available on the day of the tour. No group reservations are accepted.

- Participants must be at least 12 years old

- An adult must accompany those between 12 and 18

- A current government-issued photo ID (i.e. driver's license) is required of all individuals 18 and over

- Foreign visitors must present an original passport

- For security reasons, all bags are subject to search, and backpacks, packages, and large camera cases, are not permitted on the shuttle bus

- Sign in for registered participants begins at 11:45 a.m. on the day of the tour, followed by a briefing in Carney Auditorium

- Shuttle buses transport participants to the restoration area, located on the active part of Wright-Patterson Air Force base, for the tour, and return participants to the main museum complex at approximately 3:15 p.m.

To register, please fill out the following registration form and submit it. Please note that a separate registration form must be submitted for each person. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you once your registration has been processed. Go here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HBKSJ8R

This tour requires visitors to be on their feet for three hours. Seating is not available in the restoration hangars, and there is a limited number of wheelchairs and scooters. Also, shuttle buses are not handicapped accessible. Individuals requiring special assistance should contact the museum's Education Division at least one week in advance at (937) 255-4652 to arrange transportation.

[Warren]

Already got my reservtions in. Ill be there there late Thur night. If you need a place to crash and are brave enough my room has a pull out bed.