At first glance, sporting clays and the Mighty Eighth Air Force may seem worlds apart. During World War II, however, skeet shooting played an important role in preparing aerial gunners for combat. Many airmen sharpened the skills they would rely on in the skies over Europe by practicing on skeet ranges before deployment. That connection lives on today through artifacts in the museum’s collection, including Captain Leo H. Kerns’ (20th Fighter Group, 77th Fighter Squadron) Squadron Skeet Team medal.

Today, the Wick Searcy Memorial Clay Shoot continues that tradition of marksmanship, camaraderie, and service while supporting the museum’s mission. Proceeds from the event directly benefit the museum’s H+STEM education programs, helping connect thousands of students and educators each year with the history, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics behind the stories of the Mighty Eighth through museum experiences and outreach programs.