History
TBR Leighton Bradford Editor-in-Chief
*In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans have played a significant role in U.S. military history over the past 300 years. They were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all-African American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941. They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
"Tuskegee Airmen" refers to all who were involved in the so-called "Tuskegee Experiment," the Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. The military selected Tuskegee Institute to train pilots because of its commitment to aeronautical training. Tuskegee had the facilities, and engineering and technical instructors, as well as a climate for year round flying. The first Civilian Pilot Training Program students completed their instruction in May 1940. The Tuskegee program was then expanded and became the center for African-American aviation during World War II.
The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. They proved conclusively that African Americans could fly and maintain sophisticated combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airman's achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military.
On November 6, 1998, President Clinton approved Public Law 105-355, which established the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, to commemorate and interpret the heroic actions of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. The new site contains a museum and interpretive programs at the historic complex at Moton Field as well as a national center based on a public-private partnership. *[*denotes-intellectual property of Tuskegee Airmen]
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| The P-51D North American Mustang, the work horse of the Tuskegee Amn. |
I credit my uncle W.T. Arms, an Air Force mechanic during the Korean Conflict; for my passion for aviation. The flight line separates the boys from the men! Try to imagine tying your shoe lace when its -20 degrees below zero, let alone working on a multi-million dollar aircraft. I vividly recall the epic heat in West Texas, melting a sample tube of jet engine oil on my forearm. Once MMS (Munitions Maintenance Squadron) let loose a BDU (Practice Bomb) and sent cats running from the several ton concrete behemoth! We were young, helping our country to triumph during the "Cold War"!
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| Rockwell International B-1B. This is probably an early production aircraft since their are no unit markings (possibly S/N 84-0049, which was used for weapons testing). (U.S. Air Force photo) |
I must take my hat off to George Lucas and his "Red Tail" movie adaption of the Tuskegee Airmen! An excellent depiction! Lucas refrained from the stereo typical take on World War II, as if brothers had no role within the countering of fascism and the thwarting of the Nazi regime! The Tuskegee Airmen paved the way for our freedoms and ultimate liberation. Their exploits delivered us from the tyrannies of oppression and an axis of evil. While I was stationed at Luke AFB, to my amazement, I saw Tuskegee Airmen on a wall, honoring the accomplishments of this august body. Luke, AFB; one of the pivotal training facilities for the Tuskegee Airmen. I seem to be one of the few person of color in aviation at times, thus, it was refreshing to see the respect given to these great men. I over heard Cubing Gooding Jr. explaining to TV personality Charlie Rose, how he did not even know about the Tuskegee Airmen, until later in life. To often individuals of African descent are unaware of their heroic deeds. Young Black aviators were crucial to the success of "Desert Storm" as well. In the late eighties a KC-135A had an unknown engine failure, and killed 44 passengers and crew, we had just flown across the pacific. The blast resembled a mushroom cloud from an atomic bomb! This was my introduction to the dangers of aviation "Nothing stirs and shapes public sentiment like physical action," said A. Philip, Randolph. The Ebony Pictorial History of Black America had the following excerpt and ensuing research material:
"Randolph said at the time, and emphasized that unless black demands were met one hundred thousand blacks would stage a nonviolent March on Washington. President Franklin D. Roosevelt opposed the march, as did most whites and some blacks. Randolph was called to New York City Hall by Mrs. Roosevelt and Fiorello LaGuradia, who tried to dissuade him. Randolph would not budge. President Roosevelt later sent for Randolph and Walter of the NAACP and T. Arnold Hill, acting executive of the National Urban League. Again neither Randolph nor his colleagues would budge and a rather heated discussion ensued. Seven days later President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802 which banned discrimination in war industries and apprenticeship programs."
The photographs above depict Elizabeth Coleman and a World War I aviator. Ms. Coleman was the first African-American female pilot. A. Phillip Randolph played a pivotal role in the full integration of the armed services! He deserves a monument dedicated towards his insightful battle against racism and oppression. Most of the aviators were assigned to the 99th and 302nd squadrons.
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| St. Louis, MO contingent of the Tuskegee Airmen |
