A Fayetteville Icon: Don Tours the Airborne & Special Operations Museum

We've all driven by it, but maybe it's time you finally stopped in and looked at a downtown Fayetteville icon, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum.

Since its opening in August of 2000, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum has become a downtown Fayetteville treasure. I decided to head back in, as the special "D-Day: Freedom From Above" exhibit is set to end soon, and the "Vietnam War: Reflections in Courage" exhibit opens March 25.

"Established in August 2000, the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum (ASOM) is a first-class institution that efficiently and effectively captures, preserves, exhibits, and presents the material culture and heritage of the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces from 1940 and into the future," the Museum says on its website. "The Museum celebrates over 80 years of Army Airborne and Special Operations history and honors our nation’s Soldiers – past, present, and future."

Take a tour soon and get engaged, educated and inspired by the rich history of Fayetteville and Fort Bragg's Airborne & Special Operations Soldiers. Especially with the D-Day exhibit still in place.

"“D-Day: Freedom from Above” visitors will experience the Normandy invasion through the eyes of 82nd and 101st Airborne division Soldiers by using “HistoPad”, a tablet with innovative software technology. HistoPad provides immersive, interactive augmented reality of the events surrounding D-Day by allowing visitors to manipulate a series of 3D virtual relics, view unpublished photos and extracts of exceptional archival films, interact with animated maps, and learn the incredible destinies of some of our nation’s heroes."

Here's my walkthrough of the museum, so you'll have a great idea of what to expect.

This is the beautiful parking-lot side entrance to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum.

What world event was the inspiration behind the creation of Fort Bragg?

Pay close attention. He will see you long before you see him.

Be sure to ask one of the Airborne tour guides about the device attached to these soldiers legs. This was the first and only time this tactic was used.

This is an actual CG-4A glider. Check out how it was assembled.

The world famous Humvee, the hauler of heroes

Whatever it takes to get supplies to the battlefield

See actual steel from the World Trade Center towers in the exhibit dedicated to the 2,977 victims of the September 11, 2001 attack on America

Also, see if you can find the can of Pringles and the Lemon Poppy Seed pound cake.

Admission is FREE to tour the museum. I would recommend to spend the $5 and get the audio tour of the D-Day exhibit through June 18, 2022. Parking is free also.

Please enjoy this awesome treasure in downtown Fayetteville.

ADDRESS:
100 Bragg Boulevard
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301
(910) 643-2778
info@asomf.org

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am- 4:00 pm
Sunday: 12pm- 4:00 pm
Monday: Closed