Museum opens doors for 16th Annual Visitor Appreciation Day

  • Published
  • By Airman Alessandra N. Gamboa
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The South Dakota Air and Space Museum, 28th Bomb Wing and Ellsworth Heritage Foundation pulled out all of the stops to show their appreciation for visitors during a special event, May 7.

The event included an unveiling of the AGM-28A "Hound Dog" missile by 28th BW commander, Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, aerial demonstrations of handmade, remotely controlled aircraft, several tables with free posters of aircraft and toys for children and guests, displays, refreshments and $1 bus tours of the base and Minuteman missile silo, and a variety of guest speakers.

Guests for the day included retired Lt. Col. Chuck Childs, a Berlin Airlift pilot; retired Tech. Sgt. Robert Schilling, an aerial gunner aboard the AC-47 Spooky with Medal of Honor recipient, John L. Levitow; and retired Chief Master Sgt. Charles "Burt" LeCates, AGM-28A "Hound Dog" missile electronics maintainer, who each shared personal stories with museum visitors about events in military history.

"I'm proud to be a pilot who flew in the greatest humanitarian airlift in history," said Colonel Childs about the Berlin Airlift. "I helped save two and a half million Germans from starvation, and helped stop Stalin's plans to rule Europe."

Two Germans who were among the audience stood up and said their parents will never forget how their lives were saved by the food and candy Colonel Childs and other American pilots dropped to them every day for 11 months.

Representatives of today's Air Force from Ellsworth Air Force Base were also present. Airmen of the 28th BW, 28th Maintenance Squadron, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, 28th Munitions Squadron, and 28th Security Forces Squadron military working dog section demonstrated military capabilities and answered questions for visitors about what Airmen do every day to protect America's freedom and safety.

"I think people are naturally curious about what we do," said Senior Airman Timothy Hoffpauir, 28th CES EOD operator. "Community events like this are good opportunities to get involved, speak with people about our mission, and give them insight into our lives as Airmen. We also want to ensure they know how much we appreciate them and their support."

According to retired Chief Master Sgt. Carl Engwall, South Dakota Air and Space Museum director, more than 1,500 people attended the special appreciation event - doubling the total number of guests at last year's event.