Aug. 29 program looks at being on the first line of offense in air combat

SEATTLE, Aug. 17, 2015--On Aug. 29, two former U.S. Air Force pilots share first-hand stories about one of the most dangerous types of missions in air combat: attacking enemy air defense systems. During their 2 p.m. presentation, veterans Joseph Matte and Dan Barry will talk about the missions they flew for a military program code named, "Wild Weasel." The program was started in 1965 during the Vietnam War, when the U. S. Air Force began using fighter aircraft to attract, and then destroy, enemy ground weapons to clear the way for subsequent Air Force planes.

Former Wild Weasel pilots Matte and Barry will talk about their experiences, and shed light on how these wild missions live on in today's aerial combat arena. Their program is free with admission to the Museum.

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Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, the independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, serving more than 560,000 visitors annually. The Museum's collection includes more than 160 historically significant airplanes and spacecraft, from the first fighter plane (1914) to today's 787 Dreamliner. Attractions also include the original Boeing Company factory, and the world's only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museum's aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 150,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum's on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field halfway between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors 65 and older, $17 for active military, $12 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Café is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org

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