Tulsa Air & Space Museum Launches "Give $16 for the F-16" Challenge to Bring Thunderbird Home for Veterans Day
Oct 8, 2026
The challenge is simple: If 3,750 people donate just $16 each, the museum will reach its $60,000 fundraising goal!
Through Operation: Thunderbird, the museum hopes to transport the aircraft November 8–10, with its anticipated arrival on Veterans Day serving as a special tribute to America's veterans.
The $60,000 campaign will support two critical phases:
- $30,000 — Disassembly, specialized truck transportation from Texas to Tulsa, and reassembly at the museum.
- $30,000 — Engineering, construction, and installation of a stunning arched pedestal that will transform the Thunderbird into a dramatic landmark at the museum's entrance.
"There's something special about giving $16 to bring an F-16 home!" said Tonya Blansett, Executive Director of the Tulsa Air & Space Museum. "We wanted to create a challenge that everyone could be part of. We have a very short window to make this happen, and what better way to honor our veterans than to welcome this magnificent aircraft to Tulsa on Veterans Day?"
The aircraft, F-16C Fighting Falcon, Serial No. 86-0281, previously flew with the legendary U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during the 2006 season.
Its permanent display will honor generations of Airmen of Tulsa's 138th Fighter Wing, who have flown and maintained the F-16 for more than three decades. The exhibit will also recognize Oklahoma astronaut William R. "Bill" Pogue, who served as a Thunderbird pilot before flying aboard NASA's Skylab 4 mission.
The museum extends its appreciation to the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Congressman Kevin Hern's office, and Senator Armstrong's office for their assistance in acquiring this historic aircraft.
The countdown is on! With only weeks remaining before the planned transport, TASM encourages individuals, families, businesses, and veterans to become Operation: Thunderbird Partners by accepting the "Give $16 for the F-16" Challenge.
Whether donating $16, $160, $1,600, or any amount, every gift brings the Thunderbird closer to its new home.
GIVE $16 FOR THE F-16!
3,750 donors × $16 = $60,000
Donate today: https://www.tulsamuseum.org/OPERATION-THUNDERBIRD/
ABOUT THE TULSA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
The Tulsa Air & Space Museum preserves Oklahoma's aerospace heritage while inspiring future generations through historic aircraft, aviation and space exhibits, and hands-on STEM education.
Honoring the Past. Inspiring the Future.
Media Contact:
Tonya Blansett, Executive Director
[email protected]
918-834-9900
Photos: (Click photo to enlarge)
Source: Tulsa Air and Space Museum
Read Full Story - Tulsa Air & Space Museum Launches "Give $16 for the F-16" Challenge to Bring Thunderbird Home for Veterans Day | More news from this source
Press release distribution by PRLog
More News
Ontario doctors demand apology from province for letters flagging high number of days worked, patients seen
The Ontario Medical Association is looking for an apology from the province, after it says 'hundreds' of doctors received letters recently stating they were working too many days or seeing too many patients. A health ministry spokesperson says the letters are not an assumption of inappropriate billing.
Airport Eats: Where to Eat and Drink at Portland International Airport
Portland International Airport’s $2.15 billion transformation brings travelers craft cocktails, wood-fired pizza, Oregon seafood and exceptional coffee, with local restaurants turning PDX into an unexpectedly delicious destination before departure. The post Airport Eats: Where to Eat and Drink at Portland International Airport appeared first on Business Traveller.
Tanzania to Host World Travel Awards Grand Final on December 12th.
Tanzania is preparing to take centre stage on the international tourism calendar after being officially announced as the host destination for the 2026 World Travel Awards Grand Final, which will take place on December 12th at the stunning The Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, a premier 5-star luxury property nestled deep within the Central Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
Morocco takes centre stage in London through the art of Winston Churchill
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Kingdom and the Moroccan National Tourist Office (MNTO) hosted an exclusive reception at the prestigious Wallace Collection in London, in connection with the exhibition Winston Churchill: The Painter. The initiative reflects MNTO’s ambition to place culture and internationally renowned figures at the heart of Morocco’s global tourism promotion. Coinciding with World Travel Market (WTM) London, the Moroccan National Tourist Office selected one of Britain’s most distinguished art institutions, the Wallace Collection, as the setting for an evening dedicated to the exhibition Winston Churchill: The Painter.
Naher Osten: Airlines setzen Flüge nach Dubai weiter aus
Die europäischen Airlines haben die Wiederaufnahme nach Dubai erneut verschoben. Condor setzt die Verbindungen in das Emirat ganz aus. The post Naher Osten: Airlines setzen Flüge nach Dubai weiter aus appeared first on Business Traveller.
Sri Lanka Sets Sights on 4-5 Million Visitors by 2030 at WTM London 2026
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) revealed the island’s latest tourism developments at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, taking place from 3-5 November at ExCeL London. Led by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, the Sri Lanka delegation hosted a lunch and press conference on 4 November, sharing updates on new air connectivity from the UK, the country’s national tourism strategy and its priorities for 2027.
Quito Concludes Its European Promotional Tour with Its Own Stand at WTM London 2026
Quito is participating at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, taking place from 3 to 5 November at ExCeL London, with its own stand (N8-314), where it is showcasing its tourism offering and strengthening its positioning among international travel industry professionals. The Ecuadorian capital is using this global platform to reinforce relationships with tour operators, travel agencies, specialised media and strategic partners across Europe’s key source markets.
Qatar Airways Inaugurates Flights to Venezuela and Colombia
The airline inaugurates twice-weekly flights linking Doha, Bogotá and Caracas, becoming the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela while expanding connections between South America, Asia and the Middle East. The post Qatar Airways Inaugurates Flights to Venezuela and Colombia appeared first on Business Traveller.
Travel Around Paris And We'll Guess Your Relationship Status
Is there any city that's more romantic? View Entire Post ›
Broadcasters Julia Bradbury and Kate Humble extol virtues of the great outdoors during WTM London
Broadcasters Julia Bradbury and Kate Humble urged tour operators at WTM London to think carefully about how they target different audiences and the language needed to woo the right customers. Speaking yesterday during sessions on the Wanderlust Stage, they both extolled the virtues of the great outdoors and getting off the beaten track – especially if it encourages travellers to put down their phones and fully experience destinations.
Visit Qatar Launches Two-Night Doha Stopover Offer for UK Customers
Visit Qatar announced the launch of Stopover Your Way (Enjoy Two Nights on Us) at World Travel Market (WTM) London, offering eligible UK travellers two nights’ accommodation at participating four-star hotels across Qatar. Developed in partnership with Qatar Airways and Discover Qatar, the promotion encourages travellers to turn their journey into an opportunity to discover all that Qatar has to offer, from its rich cultural heritage to its beaches, desert adventures, museums and vibrant culinary scene. There are a number of participating four-star hotels, and customers have flexible options to upgrade or extend their stay.
String duo Sol Gabetta and Patricia Kopatchinskaja impress in theatrical Hong Kong recital
Seldom is the idiom to show up “with bells on toes” taken literally, but that is exactly what Moldavian-Austrian-Swiss violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta did at their recital at Hong Kong City Hall on November 2. Classical music boundaries have no place in the pair’s playbook, and their theatrical entrance for the last leg of their Asian tour – each from opposite sides of the stage, dressed in bold colours and wearing slip-ons with bell-lined toes – was a clear...
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.