America 250: The Air & Space Power Story

New Hampshire | America 250: Air and Space Power Story

This week we visit New Hampshire! Early in World War II, the Granite State witnessed a massive expansion of critical airpower infrastructure at Grenier Field in Manchester. This base served as the key launching point for single aircraft that took the northern route to the European Theater, while also sustaining a variety of additional missions—everything from training sorties to anti-submarine patrols.  The aviation Museum of New Hampshire celebrates this history. New Hampshire is also the birthplace of Alan Shepard – America’s first man in space – who later walked on the Moon in 1971 as mission commander of Apollo 14. Today, space enthusiasts can visit the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH, which features interactive science and engineering exhibits, including a full-sized replica of a Mercury-Redstone rocket.
This episode is sponsored by PenFed. Click the links below to learn more.
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South Carolina | America 250: Air and Space Power Story

This week we are travelling to South Carolina! In February 1942, then-Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle visited Columbia Air Base to recruit the airmen who would serve as the famed Doolittle Raiders.  His words were direct: “We have a mission. Can’t tell you what it’s going be. It’s very, very dangerous. We only want volunteers.”  Visitors can learn more about this at the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation in Columbia, plus the USS Yorktown at Patriot’s Point. South Carolina also serves as home to former NASA Administrator Maj Gen Charles Borden, USMC (Ret)—who flew over 100 combat missions in Vietnam and is a 4-time astronaut, including as commander of STS-31, which deployed the Hubble Space Telescope.
This episode is sponsored by PenFed.
Click the links below to learn more.
Checking - https://bit.ly/3NTjHv3
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Maryland | America 250: Air and Space Power Story

This week we travel to Maryland! It’s the birthplace of 8 astronauts and is home to the NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, which pioneered mission control functions early in the space race and still operates systems like the Hubble and the James Webb telescopes. Additionally, we also explore College Park Airport, where Army aviation literally first took flight under the tutelage of Wilbur Wright and subsequent aviators invented everything from cross country flying, the use of radios on aircraft, efforts to arm planes, and employ bombsights.   
 
This episode is sponsored by PenFed. Click the links below to learn more.
Checking - https://bit.ly/3NTjHv3
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Massachusetts | America 250: Air and Space Power Story

This week we travel to the birthplace of America, Massachusetts! We visit the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, MA which includes some of the world’s best warbirds—including a P-40 that was at Pearl Harbor. The collection also features two actual cells from the Hanoi Hilton—a powerful reminder of the bravery, sacrifice, and dedication to duty displayed by American POWs. The Bay State is also the birthplace of space pioneer Robert Goddard, who launched the first successful rocket using liquid propellent, and is home to MIT’s Lincoln Labs, which has been instrumental in advancing space capabilities. 
This episode is sponsored by PenFed. Click the links below to learn more.
Checking - https://bit.ly/3NTjHv3
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Connecticut | America 250: Air and Space Power Story

Join us on a visit to Connecticut, where we learn about where some of the most famous aircraft were built—from the flying boats that explored the world to WWII-era fighters and pioneering helicopters. Plus, we also explore where key parts of the Apollo program were constructed, plus new technology for NASA’s Artemis program. 

Georgia | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 4

This week, we visit Georgia to discover where the famed 8th Air Force was created in the opening months of WWII and where you can see a fantastic museum celebrating this heritage. We also learn about how Georgia Tech is a key spacepower partner for the nation—yesterday, today, and looking towards tomorrow.

New Jersey | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 3

On this week’s episode of the America 250: Air and Space Power podcast, we continue our tour around the nation to learn more about the key artifacts, places, and people that helped pioneer air and space power. Heather, Doug, and Charles visit New Jersey and explore a site where U.S. Army scientists first bounced radar waves off the moon in a quest to detect ballistic missiles. We also discuss how a B-17 relic embodies dedication to duty, sacrifice, and remembrance.

Pennsylvania | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 2

On this week’s episode of the America 250: Air and Space Power podcast, we continue our tour around the nation to learn more about the key artifacts, places, and people that helped pioneer air and space power. Heather, Doug, and Charles visit Pennsylvania and explore the invention of the Air Force’s first integrated weapons system: the P-61 Black Widow. We also learn about a key installation in Johnstown that helped generations of astronauts prepare for space flight.

Georgia | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 1

This week we’re kicking off the America 250: Air and Space Power podcast. 2026 is a major anniversary for our country—250 years since our forefathers created an independent nation. We’re excited to help celebrate that history through an air and space lens.
Each state has contributed to the Air Force and Space Force in one way or another. There isn’t one key artifact, person, or exhibit. Instead, it’s a tapestry of dedication, innovation, community, and achievement. Over the course of the year, we’re going to highlight what we believe is a state’s top connection to airpower and spacepower.
This week, we begin in America’s first state: Delaware. Join us as we learn more about the birth of airlift at the Air Mobility Command Museum and the invention of the space suits that took us to the moon.  

Telling America’s Air & Space Power Story

In this teaser episode, we kick off America 250: Air and Space Power Story, a year-long journey honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States through the lens of airpower and spacepower. Every state has played a role in shaping America’s Air Force and Space Force—and over the next 50 weeks, we’ll tell those stories one state at a time, following the order they joined the Union.
Each episode highlights a tangible, visitable connection to air or space power—from historic aircraft and launch sites to innovation hubs and local institutions—along with honorable mentions that expand the story. We’ll also invite listeners to weigh in on what should be highlighted from their own communities.
Air and space power is not a single story, but a collective tapestry of people, innovation, service, sacrifice, and technology. This series is our effort to tell as much of that story as possible—starting with Delaware, the First State.