During your visit to Airborne & Special Operations Museum, enjoy a self-guided tour of the Museum’s exhibits that span from the 1940 conception of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon to the airborne and special operations units of today. Outside, the Museum’s Gardens offer a place to contemplate the history of America’s finest.
Museum Lobby
The Airborne & Special Operations Museum is highlighted by the 5,000 square-foot, five-story open lobby featuring glass walls and surrounding high mounted windows. Designed by architect Michael West, the impressive lobby exhibits include two fully deployed parachutes, a World War II era T-5 round chute and a modern MC-4 square chute. Together these chutes represent the development of airborne infiltration and the soldiers who work in support of each other in the airborne and special operations community.
Main Exhibit Gallery
The Museum’s main exhibition space chronicles the history of airborne and special operations units. Starting with the Early Airborne exhibit, you’ll experience the excitement and uncertainty of the first U.S. soldiers to jump at the Test Platoon. World War II saw the most concentrated use of airborne operations. As you explore the World War II exhibits, walk the streets of a French village from the Normandy Invasion of June 1944, then be swept to the Pacific-Asiatic theater of operation and immersed into the excitement of the American soldiers as they prepare for combat in the jungles. Highlighted in the World War II exhibit is a completely restored WACO CG-4A glider. Learn about the role the airborne and special operations units played during the Korean War and Cold War through artifact displays. Take a close look at the equipment used by the soldiers and the campaigns of the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War exhibit includes the scene of a UH-1 "Huey" helicopter with the pilot at the controls, the door gunner at the ready and two paratroopers on the ground ready for action. Contingency Operations & Training explores airborne and special operations post Vietnam. See a Sheridan on display with a member of “America’s Guard of Honor,” overhead is an AH-6 "Little Bird" and a diorama that depicts a Special Force hide-site during the Persian Gulf War.
Video Theater
In addition to the Museum’s exhibits that chronicle the history of airborne and special operations units, is Video Theater. This 50 seat theater features a changing collection of educational and entertaining works that concentrate on the airborne and special operations. Works are featured regularly throughout the day.
Garden
The Airborne & Special Operation Museum’s Garden is located on the Hay Street side of the Museum. Surrounded by magnificent magnolias, live oak and elm trees and bordered by seasonal flowers, the Garden provides a place to reflect on those involved in the airborne and special operations units throughout history.
Shopping in the Gift Shop
The Gift Shop focuses on Army airborne and special operations units’ equipment and history as well as items that are unique to North Carolina and Fayetteville. Posters, prints, detailed models and toys are available for purchase and make for the perfect gift or keepsake.
- The Yarborough-Bank Movie Theater and the Motion Stimulator are two immersive attractions that put visitors at the center of the action. Tickets are not included in the Museum’s admission price. Guests who wish to visit the Yarborough-Bank Movie Theater or the Motion Stimulator can purchase tickets in the Gift Shop.
- The Airborne & Special Operations Museum is also home to a smaller gallery of changing exhibits that support the Museum’s main gallery.