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Heritage Hall inauguration brings AFRC history to life

  • Published
  • By Don Boyd
  • Air Force Reserve Command Senior Historian
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Air Force Reserve Command brought history to life with the inauguration of the AFRC Heritage Hall in the command headquarters building here Dec. 15.

Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Jr., commander of AFRC, along with Ms Betty Kennedy, command Historian, cut the ribbon to officially open the hall and give passersby an opportunity to experience Air Force Reserve history in a close-up and personal way.

General Stenner related to guests and staff the past deeds represented by the artwork and artifacts. He remarked that, "Air Force Reservists have served with honor and courage and have a distinguished and proud history."

The exhibit consists of the first floor inner lobby, second floor command entrance, third floor lobby, and the main conference room hallway. Each exhibit area includes paintings and artifacts displaying the heritage of the AF Reserve during a century of service. Command historians said the AFRC Heritage Hall will be changed periodically to provide a broad selection of Air Force Reserve history.

Represented in the collection is a World War II bomber jacket worn by an airman of the 506th Squadron of the 44th Bombardment Group, which is now the 44th Fighter Group at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Other artifacts contained in the collection include uniform items from different periods of AF Reserve history. Medal ribbons that belonged to Lt. Col. Robert H. Morris, an Air Force Reserve Korean fighter ace, are also on display.

A plaque signed by former POWs collected on their "Freedom Flight" from Vietnam during Operation Homecoming is displayed to highlight the broad scope of missions performed by Air Force Reserve members during the Southeast Asia experience. A DH-4 propeller signifies the service of Reserve aviators in WWI and the interwar years. Artwork from the Air Force art collection highlights Air Force Reserve operations.

During the past year, General Stenner chartered the Historical Services Directorate to establish the AFRC Heritage Hall. The Historical Services Directorate will serve as the command's functional manager and provide oversight for the project and collections.

Current and former Air Force Reservists who are interested in donating significant historical artifacts can contact AFRC History Directorate at 478-327-2192 or DSN: 497-2192.