Monument Monday - U.S. Air Force Memorial
As one of DC’s newest memorials, the U.S. Air Force Memorial sits just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. The three stainless steel spires designed to resemble a bomb burst stand 270 feet tall and are visible from miles around.
The spires represent the three values of the Air Force, integrity, service before self and excellence, as well as offering a tribute to the 54,000 Air Corps and Air Force personnel who have been killed in action. A bronze Air Force Honor Guard and a glass “Missing Man” Contemplation Wall complete the memorial.
Built on a hill, you can get a great view of the Potomac, the Pentagon and the surrounding area as well as parts of the National Mall. 
On some days, Air Force will conduct ceremonies, such as during one visit, when an Air Force officer was being promoted.
While in the parking lot, look in the opposite direction from the memorial and check out the “eye-in-the-sky” high-resolution camera on the three-story platform. It periodically sweeps overlooking, one assumes, the Pentagon’s airspace.
U.S. Air Force Memorial
One Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, VA, 22211
Dates and Times - Open daily 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., open until 11:00 p.m. April - September.
Admission - No admission is charged.
Directions - The memorial is not on most online map services yet, so it’s best to follow the directions provided. Take I-395 South toward Virginia and merge onto I-395 S toward Richmond. Continue for 2 miles. Take Exit 8A - Washington Blvd. / VA-27 West, toward Ridge Rd. Take the Columbia Pike / VA-244 ramp toward Bailey’s Cross Roads. Turn right onto Columbia Pike / VA-244. The Memorial will be on your left on Columbia Pike.
Parking - Free parking is available in the lot across the street from the Memorial. Make sure to park in “visitor” marked parking spaces during weekday business hours.
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Reagan Nat Arpt, VA
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:50 pm
A bomb burst? Interesting. To me, the spires look like the trails left by three jets taking off.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
[...] U.S. Air Force Memorial - Off we go, into the wild blue yonder. [...]
May 24th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Matt, your close, here is a complete description from the Official Website:
“James Ingo Freed, one of America’s finest architects, gave the nation a design that truly honors the men and women of the Air Force. Featuring three stainless steel spires that soar skyward, the tallest reaching a height of 270 feet, the Memorial’s design is truly representative of flight and the flying spirit of the Air Force. The three spires impart a sense of accomplishment in command of the sky, and evoke the image of the precision “bomb burst” maneuver performed by the United States Air Force Thunderbird Demonstration Team.”
February 10th, 2009 at 11:51 am
[...] Pick a sunny day with blue skies for a photo at the U.S. Air Force Memorial, overlooking the Pentagon and planes landing at Reagan National [...]