Colorado Springs museum showcases importance of aviation during World War II

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- Tuesday marked 80 years since the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the National Museum of World War II Aviation commemorated that fateful day by opening up to visitors and WWII veterans.

Usually closed on Tuesdays, the museum opened its doors to showcase the role aviation played on the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked and throughout World War II. The museum says aviation played a critical role during a turning point of our nation's history.

"Well, I'll tell you, I think aviation is an enabler. If you establish air superiority over the battlefield, it allows the army, the Marines, even the Navy if you consider the sea being a battlefield, then that enables them to do their job. Without air superiority, in most cases, you just can't do it. Air forces around the world are too powerful today," said Ashby Taylor, a docent with the museum.

From the attack on Pearl Harbor, Taylor says it services as an example of what happens when you don't pay attention to what's going on in the rest of the world and the need to be always prepared.

The National Museum of World War II Aviation is open Wednesday - Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.