Museum Lecture Series

Dr. Thomas D. Jones, a veteran NASA astronaut, scientist, speaker, author and consultant, gives a presentation based on the book Hell Hawks! -- which he co-authored with Robert F. Dorr.

Medal of Honor recipient Col. (Ret.) Leo K. Thorsness discusses how combat and prison expand the importance of making the most of what we have, techniques of coping with disadvantages, of finding out we are stronger than we think, and of realizing most of us come out the back end of adversity better, stronger and smarter than when we went in.

Maj. Nicole Malachowski, who became well known as the first female pilot on any U.S. jet demonstration team, discusses "America's Women Military Aviators: From WASP, to Thunderbirds, to the Future."

Dr. Michael L. Grumelli examines the relationship among airmen, technology and airmindedness in early military aviation.

Air Force HH-60G Pave-Hawk pilot Lt. Col. Jeffrey Peterson recalls his role in the daring combat rescue attempt of a Navy Seal in Afghanistan.

Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro shares his inspiring story of survival. In Afghanistan on Dec. 4, 2005, his Humvee rolled over a roadside bomb, causing wounds that have forever changed his face, hands and Air Force career.

Retired Canadian Col. Lorne RodenBush discusses his role as Canada's Permanent Representative to the International Control Commission in Hanoi during the height of the bombing in the Vietnam War.

Son Tay Raider pilot Maj. (Ret.) William A. Guenon Jr. explains how he flew "low and slow" in the lead C-130, operating in radio silence, as he led the unlikely formation of six rescue helicopters carrying 56 Green Berets to the Son Tay Prison, while avoiding surface-to-air missiles, MiG and anti-aircraft artillery threats around Hanoi.

Former Air Force sergeant and co-author of the original story for the major motion picture, “Good Morning, Vietnam!” Adrian Cronauer discusses his work with the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office.

Best-selling author Dr. Donald L. Miller discusses his award-winning book, “Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany.”

Sean "Skipper" Moulton delves into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from a warfighter's perspective.

Retired Col. Darrel Whitcomb relates his and others' experiences from combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions in Southeast Asia and examines the organization that was established to provide CSAR services in the Iraq-Kuwait theater of operations during Desert Storm.

Dr. David S. Sorenson, an Air War College professor of national securities studies, discusses Arab identity, Arabs at war, Arab religious identity and possible Arab futures.

Retired Col. Bob Krone discusses the F-105 Thunderchief, its pilots and missions and the 2007 meaning of the war in Southeast Asia.

Former Red Eagle Commander and F-15C subject matter expert Retired Col. Gail Peck initiated a secret program to train Air Force and Navy fighter pilots to a degree of proficiency never before achieved.

Hear about the advances in stealth technology from Retired Lt. Col. Ken Dyson, one of the pilots who demonstrated that an aircraft could operate close to the battlefield without fear of being discovered by enemy radar.

World War II ace retired Col. Steve Pisanos discusses his 30-year Air Force career, including his six-month evasion of the Germans after his P-51B crash-landed during a 1944 mission in France.

Col. (Ret.) Graham Pritchard discusses the evolution of the C-130, missions now flown by the 109th Airlift Wing, and the Wing's challenging and successful recovery of Dr. Jerri Neilsen from the South Pole due to her illness.

Col. (Ret.) Darrel Whitcomb, a former cargo pilot and forward air controller/Raven, discusses how the Vietnam War raged across much of Southeast Asia and also involved fighting in Cambodia and Laos.

Dr. Richard Hallion discusses how the Air Force has contributed to aerospace technology over the years. He is the author and editor of numerous books relating to aerospace technology and military operations.