Frontiers of Flight Museum Announces the Opening of New Photography Exhibit: Aerials

Showcasing U.S. Military photojournalists’ stories of flight from the Vietnam era to modern day

(Featured photo: Another Day In The Office, photo by Master Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock.)

The Frontiers of Flight Museum is proud to present a new exhibition in the Browning Gallery opening on January 31, 2025. “Aerials” is a curated photo gallery of U.S. Military photojournalists’ stories of flight from the Vietnam era to modern day.  The museum decided to take aunique approach and partnered with local photojournalist U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock (ret.) to help curate these stories visually.

The Aerial exhibition is not just about aerial photography; it celebrates the collective talent and stories of military photographers who, along with Lock, have served our country. This exhibition is more than just a display of photographs; it is a tribute to the people who have captured the beauty and intensity of flight and those who make flight possible. It honors their stories and the legacy they have built through their lenses.

“When Abigail Erickson-Torres, President & CEO of the Frontiers of Flight Museum, reached out to me, it was an invitation that resonated deeply,” Lock said. “Having previously collaborated with Abigail on a project, she knew my background as a retired U.S. Air Force Combat Photographer and a seven-time Military Photographer of the Year. Her vision for an aerial exhibition ignited a spark of inspiration that I felt compelled to expand upon.”

Over 1,600 images were submitted for consideration, and 75 images from 29 contributors were chosen for display in the exhibit. The Frontiers of Flight Museum hosts 150,000 visitors from forty-nine countries from all over the world each year. It is estimated that at least 50,000 people will view these photographs, ranging in age from one to one hundred, while the gallery is on display until September 2, 2025.

To celebrate the exhibit’s opening, Frontiers of Flight Museum hosted a private event for guests to preview the selected photographs. Patrons enjoyed refreshments before listening to a panel discussion with the Lock and fellow Show Editors Mc1 Brien Aho (ret.) and Tech. Sgt. Bennie Davis (ret.) who discussed the experience behind curating this collection of images. The panel of military photojournalists will also discuss the process of capturing images while in combat.

Show Editors include:

• Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock: For the past 30 years, photojournalist and now retired (2013) USAF Military Combat Photographer Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock directed his lens towards the elements of the world that many will never have the opportunity or even the desire to see firsthand. His images are beautiful, heartbreaking, provocative, and devastating – sometimes all in the same frame. 
  
  His photographic journey is rooted in his ability to capture the essence and reality of humanity at its finest and at its worst. Lock has captured everything from the hunt for Osama bin Laden to the playful nature of young military who are defending America’s freedom and the plight of humans in search of food after the Haiti earthquake disaster.
  
  Lock is a believer that he hasn’t accomplished his greatest achievement or taken his most meaningful photo yet. He is a Bronze Star Recipient, a seven-time Military Photographer of the Year, and the host of a new podcast called “Last Letters.” Lock’s work has been published in magazines, newspapers, and books, including National Geographic, Time, New York Times, and The Washington Post, among others. His work has also earned multiple awards from prestigious organizations, including World Press Photo, National Press Photographers Association, and Oasis.
  
  
• Mc1 Brien Aho: Award-winning photographer Brien Aho isn’t just about capturing moments; he captures the essence of people. Inspired by the iconic 1985 National Geographic cover by Steve McCurry, Brien strives to reveal the human spirit in every candid portrait and photojournalistic story. A 20-year Navy retired veteran and combat photojournalist; Brien’s lens has witnessed history in 45 countries.
  
  He served as an instructor at the Defense Information School, shaping the next generation of military photographers. After graduating from the prestigious Advanced Military Photojournalism program at Syracuse University, Brien’s career took him from war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan to documenting the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.
  
  Brien has amassed over 33 awards throughout his career, including six first-place wins at the prestigious Military Photographer of the Year competition in different categories and the prestigious Communicator Award for his poignant photo documentary “The Road to Recovery,” which chronicled the journey of burn patients and their families. 
  
  A 20-year staff member of the renowned Eddie Adams Workshop, Brien participated as a student in 2003 and has continued to contribute to the program for two decades. He has served as the President of the D.C. chapter of the National Association of Naval Photography and co-founded the popular “D.C. Shoot Off” workshop. Brien’s work transcends the boundaries of media, having been published in National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, and The New York Times. His powerful imagery graces the pages of books like the critically acclaimed “This Is Our War.”

• Tech. Sgt. Bennie Davis: Bennie J. Davis III is a retired U.S. Air Force photojournalist and public affairs specialist now with the U.S. Marshals Service serving as a Visual Media Producer and Public Affairs Officer telling the Marshal’s story in his 29th year of total federal service. In his current position, is responsible for researching, planning, and executing communication plans for the USMS.
  
  Davis is also responsible for creating content for the agency’s web and social media platforms while also serving as an operational photographer on task force missions to support key Marshals Service priorities. Davis also contributes as a team manager and planner for a team of USMS storytellers and public affairs officers in developing visual communication strategies captured across the nation. Davis began his photographic journey as a still photographer, before earning the title of military photojournalist through the Military Photojournalism Program at Syracuse University.
  
  He also obtained his professional military goal to become a photojournalist with Airman magazine; the flagship publication of the U.S. Air Force; where he served 12 years and retired from active duty service.

The Frontiers of Flight Museum is located at 6911 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, Texas 75209. Hours of Operations are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for Youth ages three to 12, $10 for Seniors 65 and up, and children two and under are free. To learn more about the museum, visit flightmuseum.com or follow them on Instagram @frontiersofflightmuseum and on Facebook here.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Frontiers of Flight Museum and Individual Labeled Photojournalists

About the Frontiers of Flight Museum 
We use the power of Aerospace to improve society. The Frontiers of Flight Museum is a premier aviation and space museum located at Dallas Love Field. With a mission to educate, motivate, and inspire all generations through the wonder of flight, the museum features engaging exhibits, historic aircraft, and educational programs that connect visitors to the past, present, and future of aviation. 

(This Philanthropy Lifestyles eBuzz courtesy Frontiers of Flight Museum.)