The U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum is proud to announce the fourth year of its Curatorial Apprenticeship Program, where local high school students step into the role of museum curators to develop a professional public exhibit.
This year’s cohort includes students from Jack Britt High School and Massey Hill Classical High School, highlighting a continued partnership with Cumberland County Schools.
Selected through a competitive process, six students have spent the school year working alongside ASOM and 82nd Airborne Division Museum staff, researching primary sources, writing exhibit narratives, and selecting artifacts and imagery to bring history to life.
Their 2026 exhibit, “Defending Democracy: A JUST CAUSE,” explores U.S. involvement in Panama and culminates in an in-depth look at Operation JUST CAUSE. Launched in December 1989, the operation was the largest airborne assault since World War II and played a key role in restoring democratic governance in Panama.
The public is invited to attend the exhibit opening on Thursday, April 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to hear directly from the student curators about their research and the stories behind the exhibit. To register, visit: https://bit.ly/ASOMExhibit
About the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum
The U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum honors and preserves the extraordinary contributions of the Airborne and Special Operations forces of the United States Army. Located in Fayetteville, NC, the museum serves as a premier destination for education, inspiration, and connection to military history and traditions.
For more information, visit asomf.org

(Photo: Students from Jack Britt High School and Massey Hill Classical High School participate in the fourth year of the Curatorial Apprenticeship Program through the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. Photo courtesy of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation)