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Scott Airman featured in new Air Force museum exhibit

  • Published
  • By National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Office
  • National Museum of the Air Force
DAYTON, Ohio, --  Col. Timothy Sipes, stationed at Scott, is featured in a major new exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. 

The permanent exhibit, titled "100 Missions Up North," opens to the public March 19 in the Modern Flight Gallery and portrays the story of brave Airmen who flew missions in the deadly skies above North Vietnam during the Southeast Asia War. 

But, the 100 mission patch tradition also reaches to today's Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2005, Colonel Sipes, then-commander of the 349th Aerial Refueling Squadron, had a similar patch made. His father, a B-52 crewman during the Southeast Asia War, died wearing a 100 mission patch when his aircraft crashed during takeoff on a combat mission. 

The exhibit primarily revolves around the "100 Mission patch," which became a symbolic mark of courage during Operation Rolling Thunder from 1965-1968. The achievement of 100 missions grew into a rich tradition with its own proud customs, such as elaborate celebrations, growing of "bullet proof" mustaches or end-of-tour dunkings. 

"When people speak about completing 100 missions, they do so with reverence and respect," said museum director retired Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf. "These brave men went to extraordinary lengths to complete the mission and their accomplishments deserve to be recognized at the Air Force's national museum." 

Achieving 100 missions over North Vietnam in an F-105 "Thud" aircraft had particularly special meaning. During some periods, it was more likely than not an F-105 Airman would be shot down at least once during his tour, and the odds of completing a 100-mission tour were not good. Other aircraft that were involved included the F-4, B-66, RF-4 and RF-101. 

"The museum's motto is 'we are the keepers of their stories,'" said Jeff Duford, a historian at the museum. "This exhibit lives up to that motto because it gives the opportunity to highlight not only the brave and heroic tales of the many men that fought for the United States, but also a glimpse into the quirky and lighthearted side from a turbulent time in history." 

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum, featuring more than 400 aerospace vehicles amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Thousands of personal artifacts, photographs and documents highlight the people and events that comprise the Air Force storyline, from the beginnings of military flight to today's operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than one million people visit the museum each year. 

Located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton, Ohio, the museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free. 

For more information and historical photos from "100 Missions Up North," visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=13848.