Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

I stopped for a coffee at Starbucks and noticed there was a CVS right next door. Since I had an open prescription, I decided to see if they could fill it. While I was waiting, I overheard a family mention they were there for vaccines. That got me thinking—why not get mine taken care of too? I asked the pharmacist if I could get both a flu shot and the latest Covid booster while I was there. She smiled, handed me a couple of forms, and fifteen minutes later I walked out with my prescription in hand and two fresh shots in my arm. I love it when everything just works.

About thirty minutes later, I arrived at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum near Ashland, Nebraska. I parked at the far end of the huge lot, made breakfast in the van, and caught up on a few online things before heading inside. The walk across the lot took me past the tall missiles standing at the entrance—a fitting preview of what was to come.

Admission was $12, and the staff gave me a map of the museum. They mentioned there was a high school robotics competition going on, but that it wouldn’t interfere with my visit. Honestly, I was excited. I’ve seen these competitions online and used to work with a couple of software engineers in Connecticut who coached teams. One of them even served as head judge.

I spent some time watching the matches. The robots had to pick up odd, many-sided balls and place them in designated storage areas, sort colored objects into specific zones, and then return to a home base when the tasks were complete. The top-scoring bots advanced to tougher rounds, facing off two-on-two and then four at a time. Between matches, kids and coaches were spread throughout the museum, frantically troubleshooting and making repairs before the next round. I checked in off and on throughout the day, and the final competition was even being recorded on video.

History of the Museum

The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum traces its roots back to the early 1950s, when General Curtis LeMay—commander of Strategic Air Command (SAC)—wanted to preserve the aircraft that had shaped World War II and the emerging Cold War. For decades, the collection was housed at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha. As the number of planes grew, so did public interest, and it became clear the collection needed more space and proper preservation.

In 1998, the museum moved into its current 300,000-square-foot facility just off I-80 near Ashland. The building itself is massive, designed with two giant hangars, a glass atrium, and enough space to house enormous aircraft indoors—something few aviation museums can pull off. Today, it’s funded through a mix of ticket sales, private donations, and state support, and it’s considered one of Nebraska’s top attractions.

As you enter the building, there’s an Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, displayed at an angle in the atrium. This sleek, all-black reconnaissance jet could fly over three times the speed of sound. Seeing it in person is surreal—more like a spacecraft than an airplane.

What was the Strategic Air Command?

From 1946 until 1992, SAC was the branch of the U.S. Air Force responsible for America’s nuclear deterrent. Its mission was simple but chilling: maintain constant readiness to deliver long-range nuclear strikes against the Soviet Union if the Cold War ever turned hot. At its peak, SAC oversaw bombers like the B-52 and a network of intercontinental ballistic missiles, along with global reconnaissance aircraft. Its motto—“Peace is Our Profession”—was a reminder of the paradox at the heart of nuclear deterrence.

Main Sections of the Museum

The museum is divided into three major areas:

• Aircraft Hangars – Dozens of planes, from WWII bombers to Cold War jets.

• Missiles & Space Exhibits – Covering everything from early ICBMs to the U.S. space program.

• Interactive & Educational Areas – Flight simulators, children’s science exhibits, and rotating displays on aerospace technology.

Walking through the hangars, I was struck by the sheer size of some of the aircraft. Standing next to a B-52 Stratofortress, I felt tiny. Its 185-foot wingspan dominates the space. Introduced in the 1950s, the B-52 is still in service today—an incredible run for a nuclear-capable bomber that defined the Cold War.

Another giant on display is the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, built to haul troops and equipment around the world. Standing beneath its wings, you get a sense of the sheer logistics of global air power.

There’s also a section dedicated to the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo in World War II, with artifacts and stories from the famous mission that boosted American morale after Pearl Harbor.

There were many other interesting items, U2 Spy Plane, huge nozzels, nuculer weapons, Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, predator drone, MIG-23, and refueling. The planes here are in remarkable condition. One entire hangar is devoted to restoration work, and several exhibits let you walk underneath or peer inside aircraft to see their guts.

Final Thoughts

This museum is part aviation history lesson, part engineering showcase, and part inspiration for the next generation. Between the towering aircraft, the Cold War missile displays, and the energy of the robotics competition, it felt like a full circle of aerospace—past, present, and future—all under one roof.

That evening, I stayed along East Main Street in Plattsmouth, right on the Missouri River. The gravel road leads to a boat launch, and plenty of trucks with trailers were parked along the shoulder. I pulled farther back to stay out of the way. People came and went until about 10 p.m., and then things quieted down. It turned out to be a peaceful overnight spot.