The Air Commando Heritage Foundation is one of 11 organizations partnering with Lockheed Martin through its five-year, $25 million 25Forward initiative, bringing national support to the future Air Commando Museum, the foundation announced on Monday.
- Lockheed Martin announced the partnership on Oct. 30 as part of 25Forward, which commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. According to the foundation, the initiative brings together organizations working to preserve history, support those who serve and strengthen communities through education and service.
The foundation will receive support through the initiative to preserve and share Air Force Special Operations history, honor those who served and educate future generations, according to the release.
The museum is planned for Hurlburt Field’s Memorial Air Park, outside the installation gates. It will tell the stories of Air Commandos from World War II to today, the foundation said.
According to the foundation, Lockheed Martin’s connection to that history spans decades. The company’s aircraft, including the C-130 family that became the foundation for Combat Talons and AC-130 gunships, have helped generations of Air Commandos reach remote locations, resupply special operations forces, provide lifesaving support and bring people home. Through the partnership, the company is helping preserve the stories of those who carried out these missions, the foundation said.
“Air Commandos have done extraordinary things for this nation, often with very little recognition,” said retired Lt. Gen. Brad Heithold, Chairman of the Air Commando Heritage Foundation. “This museum will give people a chance to know them and understand what they’ve done. Lockheed Martin has helped generations of Air Commandos get the mission done. We’re grateful they’re helping us tell the stories of those men and women and the families beside them.”
- The foundation said it is honored to be included alongside organizations such as the Gary Sinise Foundation, Team Rubicon and the Pentagon Memorial Fund, among others whose work honors sacrifice and serves people across the nation.
For the local community, the museum will also be a place to discover the history within it. Air Commandos and their families are neighbors, coworkers, volunteers and friends, and the museum will help residents and visitors understand their service and its connection to the place so many call home, the foundation said.
Planned exhibits and a STEM classroom will give students opportunities to explore how teamwork, problem-solving and innovation help people accomplish extraordinary things. Through the experiences of Air Commandos, the museum will connect lessons from the past with possibilities for the next generation, according to the foundation.
More information about the future Air Commando Museum and ways to get involved is available at aircommandoheritagefoundation.org. Lockheed Martin’s 25Forward partnership announcement is available here.
