Experience an aircraft carrier in action! Witness simulated flight operations as aircraft are lifted to the flight deck and placed into launch position; participate in mission briefings; meet former crew; sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet!
Usually scheduled for the third Saturday of each month.
Saturday, April 11, 2009 –
Remembering the Doolittle Raiders
Special guests from Travis AFB and the Doolittle Memorial Museum will be onboard to share the incredible history of the infamous Doolittle Raid, which began here at NAS Alameda.
“Doolittle’s Raiders” were an elite group of airmen who executed a historic, daytime air raid against Tokyo in WWII led by legendary pilot Lt. Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, USAAF, who was born in Alameda.
On April 1, 1942, sixteen USAAF B-25 bombers, their five-man volunteer crews, and maintenance personnel were loaded onto the aircraft carrier USS Hornet CV-8 (USS Hornet CV-12’s predecessor) at Alameda Point, directly adjacent to where the USS Hornet Museum is currently located. The next day, Hornet and her escorts sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge for their date with destiny. On April 18, the Raiders flew 650 miles from their launch point in the Pacific, dropped their bombs on several Japanese cities and flew on to China where many crash landed.
Although the raid did little military damage, it was a major turning point for the U.S. in the war. The bombing was a tremendous psychological victory for Americans who were still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Japanese military's hasty response to attack Midway Island proved disastrous when their Navy was soundly defeated.
Saturday, May 16, 2009 – Armed Forces Day
In recognition of their contribution to our country’s welfare, active military personnel and their families receive free admission to the museum on this day.
Armed Forces Day was established in 1949 when the Department of Defense was created to unify all military services under one department. Held on the third Saturday of May, the purpose of Armed Forces Day is to increase public awareness through educational programs and demonstrations and to honor all Americans serving in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Whether it is saving lives, protecting property, or keeping the peace, the U.S. military stands at the ready to keep America strong and free.
Sunday, June 21, 2009 – Father’s Day
Saturday, July 24, 2009 – Apollo 40th Anniversary
The USS Hornet Museum thanks everybody who helped celebrate our 10th anniversary. More than 2,500 guests attended the Living Ship Day, many for their very first time
Living Ship Days