Midland Army Air Field Museum Grand Opening a Success

On Friday, Feb 5, the High Sky Wing held an invitation-only grand opening for our new Midland Army Air Field Museum. Well over one hundred attended including members of the press, Midland City Council, Midland Chamber of Commerce, friends of the HSW, and of course the wing members who made it all happen.

Saturday, the first day the museum was open to the public, was also a success, with more visitors in one day than the hangar has seen in a long time.  The MAAFM will be open every Saturday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and volunteers are needed to staff the foyer to greet visitors and answer questions.  Please let a staff member know that you are interested.

ACAHOF plaques line the entrance fuselage to the museum.

ACAHOF plaques line the entrance fuselage to the museum.

Lauri Skinner puts the finishing touches on one of the hors d'oeuvre tables just before guests arrived.

Lauri Skinner puts the finishing touches on one of the hors d’oeuvre tables just before guests arrived.

Event Coordinator Kelly Blackwell declares the hors d'oeuvre table perfect.

Event Coordinator Kelly Blackwell declares the hors d’oeuvre table perfect.

Mrs. Robin Donnelly and former Mayor and Mrs. Ernest Angelo sample the hors d'oeuvre table.

Mrs. Robin Donnelly and former Mayor and Mrs. Ernest Angelo sample the hors d’oeuvre table.

Members of the Desert Squadron showed their support by attending the grand opening and by allowing the High Sky Wing to display their Stearman during the event.  Thanks again.

Members of the Desert Squadron showed their support by attending the grand opening and by allowing the High Sky Wing to display their Stearman during the event. Thanks again.

A good crowd showed up for the dedication, including the boy scouts who helped freshen the Bush exhibit.

A good crowd showed up for the dedication, including the boy scouts who helped freshen the Bush exhibit.

H.A. Tuck stalks the podium to capture another memorable image.

H.A. Tuck stalks the podium to capture another memorable image.

Steve Buss, VP of Membership for CAF visits with wing members Steve Bolin and Mike Hedrick with Bob and Carol Keating in the background.

Steve Buss, VP of Membership for the CAF, visits with wing members Steve Bolin and Mike Hedrick with Bob and Carolyn Keating in the background.

High Sky Wing members John Meyer, Michael Clinton, and Mark Haskin, and Steve Buss, VP of Membership from CAF Headquarters, discuss the new museum.

High Sky Wing members John Meyer, Michael Clinton, and Mark Haskin, with Steve Buss, discuss the new museum.

HSW member Paul Cooper gathers some snacks.

HSW member Paul Cooper gathers some snacks.

Members of the Midland Chamber of Commerce and High Sky Wing staff applaud after the reading of the certificate of congratulations for opening the Midland Army Air Field Museum.

Members of the Midland Chamber of Commerce and High Sky Wing staff applaud after the reading of the certificate of congratulations for opening the Midland Army Air Field Museum.

As Midland Chamber of Commerce members look on, Brent Collins, Mark Haskin (hidden) and Michael Clinton cut the ribbon officially opening the Midland Army Air Field Museum.

As Midland Chamber of Commerce members look on, Brent Collins, Mark Haskin (hidden) and Michael Clinton cut the ribbon officially opening the Midland Army Air Field Museum.

Steve Bolin prepares to say a few words about the new museum and the effort involved as wing staff members (L to R)Michael Clinton,  Mark Haskin, Gena Linebarger and Brent Collins look on.

Steve Bolin prepares to say a few words about the new museum and the effort involved, as wing staff members (L to R)Michael Clinton, Mark Haskin, Gena Linebarger and Brent Collins look on.

Wing Leader Gena Linebarger addresses the crowd as staff members Michael Clinton, Mark Haskin and Brent Collins look on.

Wing Leader Gena Linebarger addresses the crowd as staff members Michael Clinton, Mark Haskin and Brent Collins look on.

HSW members David Linebarger of the Blastards, Bill Coombes the wing PIO and Paul Cooper socialize during the event.

HSW members David Linebarger of the Blastards, Bill Coombes, the wing Public Information Officer, and Paul Cooper socialize during the event.

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MAAF Museum is right on schedule

The grand opening for the public is scheduled for Saturday, Feb 6 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.  While there is still a lot to do (volunteers are still needed folks), ramrod Brent Collins is confident that everything will be ready.  Come out and see the newest museum in the Permian Basin.  The exhibits shown below are just a sample of what you will see.  Don’t forget, all of our war birds are here and on display as well.

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"The Blue Box" flight trainer

“The Blue Box” flight trainer

507th display

507th display

Brent Collins puts some finishing touches on the communications tent.

Brent Collins puts some finishing touches on the communications tent.

The HSW has increased its model aircraft inventory.

The HSW has increased its model aircraft inventory.

To honor the WASP heroes.

To honor the WASP heroes.

Bombardier training officer's desk

Bombardier training officer’s desk

The Home Front exhibit is ready to go.

The Home Front exhibit is ready to go.

 

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MAAF MUSEUM GRAND OPENING!

Please join us for the GRAND OPENING!

MIDLAND ARMY AIR FIELD MUSEUM

February 6, 2016     9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Enter through the Memorial Garden gate and proceed to the hangar.

Refreshments served.

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Work is Progressing on the MAAF Museum

A lot is being accomplished in the main hangar in preparation for the grand opening of the Midland Army Air Field Museum, scheduled for Saturday, Feb 6th at 9:00 am.  There is a significant amount of work yet to do, so please come out and help on Tues or Thurs evenings or Saturday mornings.

All members are encouraged to attend the grand opening.  Please wear an appropriate High Sky Wing uniform.

The devil's in the details.  Paul Cooper (L) and Bill Coombes work on getting the Link trainer ship-shape in time for the MAAF Museum opening.

The devil’s in the details. Paul Cooper (L) and Bill Coombes work on getting the Link trainer ship-shape in time for the MAAF Museum opening.

Mark Haskin makes some final adjustments on the glider.

Mark Haskin makes some final adjustments on the glider.

"The glider is hung from the ceiling with care" (with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore).  Thanks to all of you who continue to perform amazing tasks for the High Sky Wing.

“The glider is hung from the ceiling with care” (with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore). Thanks to all of you who continue to perform amazing tasks for the High Sky Wing.

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John Williams–A Man with an Air Force?

John ( and Sandy) Williams is now the proud owner of two L-17’s. Congratulations.  We all look forward to seeing them flying in formation at many events.

John Williams' newest L-17

John Williams’ newest L-17

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John and Sandy Williams, newlyweds in front of their most recent purchase.  Congratulations!

John and Sandy Williams, newlyweds, in front of their most recent purchase. Congratulations!

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