Norton Air Force Base Museum

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor the brave servicemen and women who gave their lives in defense of our nation. Their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty continue to inspire every story preserved within the Norton Air Force Base Museum.

As we walk through the history of Norton AFB—from its earliest missions to its final days—we are reminded that every artifact, every photograph, and every memory exists because someone stood ready to serve.

We remember them. We honor them. We carry their legacy forward. 🇺🇸

05/21/2026

Shout Out!!!
Reserve CMSgt, Michael Smalley, Retired, visited the NAFB Museum on April 25th from Texas. He is attending a reunion of the Reserve Aero Port Squadron at March ARB. He started at Norton in 1977 and transferred to March after closing. We had a great conversation talking about our fishing trips in Alaska when we had summer camp at Elmendorf AFB.

05/21/2026

Honoring the Meaning of Memorial Day
Each year, Memorial Day calls us to pause, remember, and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. The tradition began after the Civil War, when communities across America placed flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers—a practice first known as Decoration Day. Over time, this day of remembrance expanded to honor all U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice, and in 1971, Memorial Day became a national holiday observed on the last Monday in May.

At Norton Air Force Base, generations of Airmen supported missions around the world—missions made possible by the courage and sacrifice of those who served before them. Their legacy lives on in the stories we preserve and share here at the museum.

📅 Visit Us This Saturday — Memorial Day Weekend
We invite you and your family to stop by the Norton Air Force Base Museum this Saturday. Walk through our exhibits, explore the history of Norton AFB, and take a quiet moment to reflect on the heroes who gave everything for our freedom. Your visit helps keep their stories alive.

Norton Air Force Base Museum
1601 E. 3rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92408
1-909-382-7307
[email protected]
Open 2 days a week:
Thursday 10am-2pm
Saturday 10am-2pm

05/20/2026

Ron Martin from March ARB visited the NAFB Museum. His daughter brought him down to celebrate his birthday. They will probably order a brick too.

05/20/2026

Murray Matheson from Beaumont visited the NAFB Museum today. He is our first guest who hear our radio advertisement and decided to visit the museum.

05/20/2026

Security Police Drug Dog Handler Larry Eaton visited the NAFB Museum from Springfield, IL. He was here 90'-91'. He had a load of great stories to tell about his days at Norton. His favorite was transporting a civilian arrested on base to the downtown police lockup. His drug dog always rode shotgun in the passenger seat. He told the arrestee that he had to lie in the dog cage in the back.

05/13/2026

Joe Veraldi visited the NAFB Museum last Thursday and gave a shout-out. He served as a Load Master with the 15th from 1971 to 1978. We had a great conversation about our experiences at Norton.

05/06/2026

How many of you were stationed at Norton AFB when the Hanoi Taxi arrived?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DyP9JHQBV/

2006: The last operational C-141 Starlifter (Tail No. 66-0177) from the 445th Airlift Wing (AFRC) at Wright-Patterson AFB landed at Wright Field, Ohio, for donation to the National Museum of the USAF. The landing ended 42 years of Starlifter operations in the active-duty USAF, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve Command. The C-141, named the “Hanoi Taxi,” flew the first Vietnam prisoners of war from Hanoi to freedom on 12 February 1973. (USAF Image)

05/05/2026

Robert Davis and his wife Gail visited the NAFB Museum from Nevada. Bob was with the AP Squadron from 85' to base closing 94'

Have you discovered the wonders of the Norton Air Force Base Museum yet? Don’t miss your chance to step into a captivating piece of San Bernardino's rich history! Join us for an adventure every Thursday and Saturday from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at 1601 E. 3rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Come and explore – there's so much waiting for you to uncover!

05/05/2026

Bob Shaw and his wife are visiting the NAFB Museum from TX. He was a Load Master here at Norton from 74' to 75'. We asked him if he recognized the bar stool from the Jet, and he recalls the good times we had there.

Have you discovered the wonders of the Norton Air Force Base Museum yet? Don’t miss your chance to step into a captivating piece of San Bernardino's rich history! Join us for an adventure every Thursday and Saturday from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at 1601 E. 3rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Come and explore – there's so much waiting for you to uncover!