Ft. Bragg JFK Special Warfare Museum

digi-shots

digi-shots

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Has anyone been to the JF Special Warfare Museum at Ft. Bragg?

Is it actually on the military Ft. Bragg property ?

What I'm wondering is if it's an actual government property or private property. I'm planning on visiting the museum and wondered if I should leave my handgun at home vs. locked up in the car.

Thanks!
 
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Linda, the JFK Special Warfare Museum is on Fort Bragg, and you should NOT carry your concealed carry weapon with you or in your vehicle. It is very common for all non-military or non-decal vehicles entering the post to be pulled to a side lane and searched by MPs.

By contrast, another outstanding museum not far from Fort Bragg is in downtown Fayetteville: the Airborne and Special Operations Museum (ASOM). It is one of the best military museums I have ever seen, covering from World War I all the way to today, from an airborne and special ops point of view. It's beautiful, it's complete, and best of all, it's FREE.

Airborne vets who ever spent time at Bragg will recognize "Iron Mike," the larger-than-life paratrooper sculpture that once was at the entrance to the post, now prominently displayed outside the ASOM.

Check out, on the same complex, the North Carolina Veterans Park and the associated small museum there, too.
 
Thanks! I appreciate it..

I figured that was the case but wanted to check anyway..

I hate making road trips unarmed.
 
Ft. Bragg Museum

Before I left home to attend my grandson's graduation ceremony at Fort Benning, Ga, I, too, wanted to carry my firearm while on the road. I called the Military Police at the Fort and they stated, it is your gun and we advise you place it in your trunk with no ammo in the gun before you enter the base. Even while we were at the camp grounds, the gun stayed in the trunk. We were housed at their camp grounds next to the air base and we entered the Fort several times a day for several days while at the Fort. No one ever searched the vehicle but we were required to show our driver's license at the gate. I was surprised at their response but I did not want to violate the law. I would strongly advise you call them.

Nick
 
vigil617, I did not know "Iron Mike" had been moved. Route 87 passed right through Bragg years ago and his "post" was there on a block pedestal, right beside the road.
. He was sculpted in an old warehouse in the 18th Corp section, near the Pope air base portion of Fort Bragg. I do not know how much time was spent on his sculpture,nor when the work started, but he was finished and mounted in late 1961 or 1962. I believe "Mike" was first suggested by General Gavin, who commanded the 82nd Airborne for a while.
. At least four of the people who worked on him were from HHqtrs. Battery, Division Artillery, 82nd Airborne, my outfit at that time. One was from Washington state, two from Ill., and one was from Oklahoma. It was considered great duty by these guys, all E3s and E4s, no PT, no KP,casual lunch break at Pope and a pleasant walk to work every day. It was the kind of duty we called "Ghosting" because no one could see exactly what you did all day. Thanks for the update Vigil617, I need to go back and see it all again someday.
 
rog8732 said:
vigil617, I did not know "Iron Mike" had been moved. Route 87 passed right through Bragg years ago and his "post" was there on a block pedestal, right beside the road.
. He was sculpted in an old warehouse in the 18th Corp section, near the Pope air base portion of Fort Bragg. I do not know how much time was spent on his sculpture,nor when the work started, but he was finished and mounted in late 1961 or 1962. I believe "Mike" was first suggested by General Gavin, who commanded the 82nd Airborne for a while.
. At least four of the people who worked on him were from HHqtrs. Battery, Division Artillery, 82nd Airborne, my outfit at that time. One was from Washington state, two from Ill., and one was from Oklahoma. It was considered great duty by these guys, all E3s and E4s, no PT, no KP,casual lunch break at Pope and a pleasant walk to work every day. It was the kind of duty we called "Ghosting" because no one could see exactly what you did all day. Thanks for the update Vigil617, I need to go back and see it all again someday.
Click to expand...

What a great story, Rog!

Mike was moved only a couple of years ago, when the new Veterans Park and museum was completed and dedicated next door to the Airborne and Special Ops museum. He looks great there, though, and is really where he oughta be, given the history and the nature of the museum. Not far down from him is a life-sized statue of General Hugh Shelton, a native of Tarboro, NC.

You really have to see the museum, and I encourage any other Airborne vets to do the same. It is spectacular, and very moving, and as comprehensive as it could possibly be. Some of the volunteers there are guys from WWII and Korea, who have great stories to tell. Come see us; you'll be glad you did!:)
 
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