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| 9/29/06 |
Contact Information: |
| New Exhibits Highlight Special Operations Missions from 1980 to Present |
Melody Foote |
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910-483-5311 |
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Airborne & Spec. Ops. Museum Expands Galleries
New Exhibits Highlight Special Operations Missions from 1980 to Present
Fayetteville, NC – The Airborne & Special Operations Museum (ASOM) will unveil its first expansion since opening in 2000 on October 4th, 2006. Construction on the nearly 3,000 sq. ft. exhibit space began in May in a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. Thanks to this first-ever partnership, the museum had access to the Smithonian’s best contractors for bids. “The winning bid came from Design & Production (D&P) of Lofton Virginia, who designed our original galleries in 2000,” says Sandy Klotz, ASOM Foundation Executive Director. “The quality and cohesiveness of both our new and original exhibits is testament to the value of this partnership.”
The new exhibits, which are brought to life through a combination of scenery, equipment, mannequins, audio-visual presentations and photography, include:
· The rescue of Kurt Muse from Panama’s Modelo Prison
· Close Air Support in Operation Enduring Freedom
· Special Forces and North Alliance troops meeting in an Afghan hut
· Civil Affairs MedCap scene in the Philippines
· Special Forces students training in a ROBIN SAGE exercise
· A Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) in Northern Iraq
· A map depicting Special Operations worldwide missions
The mission of the ASOM is to provide a unique educational experience on United States history and basic core values through the preservation, interpretation and recognition of U.S. Army airborne and special operations history, equipment, technology, legend, art and weaponry.
The ASOM is located in the heart of downtown Fayetteville, minutes from I-95. It is the only U.S. Army museum not located on a military base. One of the Top 20 public attractions in the state and AAA GEM rated, the museum tells the comprehensive history of the U.S. Army airborne from Test Platoon to present day.
In addition to 33,000 sq. ft. exhibit galleries, the museum offers the Pitch, Roll &Yaw motion simulator that puts you through the paces of special operations training and a Vista-Scope large screen theater that screens the museum’s film “Descending from the Clouds.” Admission is free; there is a charge for the theater and motion simulator. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 12 pm – 5pm on Sunday. Closed Monday; except on Federal Holiday Mondays. www.asomf.org.
In addition to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, the greater Fayetteville area is home to three other military museums and numerous sites that highlight the community’s military history, which dates back to before the Revolutionary War.
· JFK Special Warfare Museum – provides a behind-the-scenes look at unconventional warfare, with emphasis on Special Operations units from World War II to present day.
http://www.soc.mil/swcs/museum/museum.shtml
· 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum – houses an extensive collection of weapons, uniforms, aircraft, parachutes and other items from World War I through the present day. http://www.bragg.army.mil/18abn/museums.htm
· Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory & Museum – Houses two centuries of documents and artifacts from this infantry company, which was chartered in 1793 and is the oldest militia unit in the south.
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