15 Aug MiG – 21 Aircraft Donated to Pensacola’s National Naval Aviation Museum
Media Contact:
Katie King
EW Bullock Associates
850-438-4015
MiG – 21 Aircraft Donated to Pensacola’s National Naval Aviation Museum
Pensacola, Fla. – (August 13, 2019) – A MiG-21 supersonic fighter jet is being donated to the National Naval Aviation Museum. Scheduled to arrive at NAS Pensacola on August 26, 2019, the aircraft will undergo a period of restoration by museum staff.
The MiG-21 will be a part of a planned exhibit telling the story of the Navy’s downing of two Iraqi Air Force MiG-21s by two F/A-18C Hornets from the USS Saratoga (CV 60) at the start of Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991. The actual Hornets that scored those MiG kills arrived at the museum earlier this summer.
“In telling the full story of Naval Aviation, it is important to present to the public the capabilities of adversary air forces,” said Museum Director CAPT Sterling Gilliam, USN (Ret.). “The acquisition of the MiG-21 allows us to do just that as it was an aircraft that generations of Naval Aviators trained to fight against and actually battled from Vietnam to the modern era.”
Draken International, located in Lakeland, FL, is donating the aircraft. The MiG-21 made its maiden flight in 1955 and has served in over sixty air forces around the world. The aircraft being donated to the museum was previously flown by the Polish Air Force.
About the National Naval Aviation Museum
The National Naval Aviation Museum features nearly 350,000 square feet of displays and is one of the world’s largest aviation museums. Located aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station, the facility boasts more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation, and is one of Florida’s most visited museums. Be sure to visit Hangar Bay One, displaying aircraft of the post-WWII era including presidential helicopter, Marine One. Among the countless things to touch, see and experience are thrilling 3D and HD flight simulators and the new Blue Angels 4D Experience. Don’t miss the drama and power of the laser powered Giant Screen digital theater. The Cubi Bar Café offers a unique dining experience, and the Flight Deck Store is the perfect place to find a souvenir that captures the spirit of Naval Aviation. Museum admission is FREE and open to the public. The National Naval Aviation Museum is open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, visit www.NavalAviationMuseum.org
No Comments