U.S. Air Force Major General David B. Lyons, Commander of the 15th U.S. Air Force, visited the Park of Military History

On Friday, April 25, 2025, U.S. Air Force Major General David B. Lyons, Commander of the 15th Air Force of the United States, visited the Park of Military History in Pivka. U.S. Air Force Major General Lyons was visiting Slovenia as part of the traditional Slovenian-American Friendship Day, which took place the following day, April 26, in Andraž nad Polzelo.

At the Park, he was welcomed by Director Mag. Janko Boštjančič, who first presented the development of the Park and its more than a decade-long excellent cooperation with the U.S. Embassy.

Special attention from the American delegation was drawn to the permanent exhibition To Hell and Back, opened in 2017. The exhibition highlights the stories of Allied aircraft shot down over Slovenian territory during World War II and the fate of American airmen.

The exhibition also features the story of the American B-17 bomber Dark Eyes and its remains, which Mr. Igor Verdev loaned for the exhibition. Renata Gutnik, Raul Semenič, Miran Wahl, Marko Zdovc, and Aleš Bedič contributed artifacts, data, and information.

U.S. Air Force Major General Lyons sincerely thanked both the Park and all the researchers who preserve the memory of the courage and sacrifice of American airmen, as well as the Slovenians who assisted the crews of downed aircraft during World War II.

Most of the aircraft downed over Slovenian territory belonged to the 15th Air Force, which is currently commanded by Major General Lyons.
📷 Timotej Horvat / Boštjan Kurent

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