Dear Museum Members and Friends,
We are so excited to announce that we recently acquired an original Observation Tower that was once located on the aviation gunnery range of the Millville Army Air Field during World War II.
The observation tower was used for training P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilots — 1,500 who received advanced fighter training here at America’s First Defense Air Field — before being sent to combat missions in the European theatre of war.
After nearly 80 years, this important artifact, which moved to Mauricetown, NJ, when the base closed in 1946, has returned to Millville Executive Airport where it will be restored and displayed in the Museum’s historic courtyard.
We offer special thanks to John Ruga for his generosity and the team at Northeast Precast for their time and talent transporting the 45 ft. tower!
We are reaching out to our museum members and friends to help make this restoration project come to life and ultimately for visitors to see the tower and understand its historical significance. As members, you share the MAAFM’s mission to preserve the WWII history here and educate guests through our unique artifacts, aircraft, military vehicles, and magnificent murals.
Your donation – in any amount – will help breathe life into this amazing artifact and honor the veterans who trained at Millville and all those who served our country.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION!
