The National WASP WWII Museum
The National WASP WWII Museum seeks to educate and inspire every generation with the history of the WASP: Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII, the first women in history to fly American’s military aircraft, and who forever changed the role of women in aviation!
The museum is conveniently located just minutes off Interstate 20 at 210 Loop 170 in Sweetwater, Texas. Pilots flying over Sweetwater can land at Avenger Field - the Sweetwater Airport (SWW). The museum is a short distance away. For assistance with directions or in setting up special tours, call 325.235.0099.
Regular days and hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
News and Events
Open Again Starting December 31st
December 23rd, 2008The Museum will reopen on Wednesday, December 31st!
Hangar doors have been installed and the airplane you’ve been waiting to see, a PT-19A, will be on display soon. Bring your friends and family out to experience the amazing story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots!
Open 1-5, Wednesday through Sunday. Closed New Year’s Day.
Girl Scout Aerospace Badge
December 3rd, 2008
Juniors, Earn Your Aerospace Badge, Saturday, February 7, 2009
Sign up now with your Girl Scout Leader!
We’ll begin at 9:30 at the National WASP WWII Museum, 210 Loop 170 (Exit 241) in Sweetwater. Please drop off your Scouts here.
Girls will make and fly paper airplanes, learn about pioneer American aviatrixes like Amelia Earhart and the Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII who trained at Avenger Field, and learn what happened at Powder Puff Derbys. They will see what it takes to be an astronaut and find out what missions are underway at NASA. Girls will test their knowledge of basic flight information by creating their own kites before taking off (in cars) for nearby Avenger Field to explore an airplane flown by female instructor pilot, Jay Neal. Girls will receive a Fifinella patch.
Parents will pick up their students at the airport at 12 noon. Parents are welcome to attend at no additional cost.
Grade Level: Junior $14/girl
7 min/ 20 max
Operation Fifinella Report
September 30th, 2008
Approximately 400 admirers came out in September to celebrate the achievements of the Women Airforce Service Pilots.
Forty-one WASP were flown into Avenger Field by pilots from Grandbury, Wichita Falls and other places. Upon arrival they were saluted and escorted by USAF officers currently serving at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene. The officers are the legacy of the WASP who pioneered military aviation for women in 1943 and 1944 at the base that once existed on the site of Texas State Technical College.
After touring the newly restored Wishing Well and the Walk of Honor, WASP enjoyed informal tours of the Museum and a flag ceremony complete with a B-1 fly by salute.
Inside the Museum, WASP and other guests shared lunch and a program featuring speeches by Lt. Colonel Laurel “Buff” Burkel and Major Bridget M. “Tank” McNamara. A slide show produced by Public Affairs Specialist Michael Breaux highlighted the history of women in aviation from 1943 to present.
Look for photos of this event in our Photo Gallery. And to learn more about activities at the Museum, call for a newsletter to be sent to your address: 325.235.0099.
