National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Announces September 9 Closure

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will close on September 9, 2026, to facilitate an emergency response exercise involving museum personnel and area response agencies. This is a rare occurrence for the institution, which typically only closes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Director David Tillotson stated the training is necessary to strengthen coordination between agencies and ensure the facility can respond effectively to emergencies. The museum is scheduled to reopen at 9 a.m. on September 10.

Local authorities warned that motorists in Riverside may experience temporary traffic delays due to an increased presence of security personnel and emergency vehicles near the facility during the exercise.