WHO THEY WERE

Due to the rigid system of racial segregation that prevailed in the United States , prior to World War II African Americans were not permitted to train as pilots, or other specialized duties, in the U.S. Military Forces. The pressure of the War, and the need for every American citizen to participate in the War effort, led to the establishment of a separate segregated Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program.

Nine Hundred and Ninety-two black military pilots, bombardiers, and navigators were trained at an isolated airfield near Tuskegee , Alabama , and the Tuskegee Institute from 1941 to 1946.. Four hundred and fifty black fighter pilots, under the command of Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., fought in the aerial war over North Africa , Sicily and Europe flying in succession P-40, P-39, P-47 and P-51 type aircraft. These gallant men flew 15,553 sorties and 1,578 missions with the 12 th Tactical Air Force and the 15 th Strategic Air Force. Col. Davis later became the U.S. Air Force's first black flag officer and ultimately a 4 Star General.

Due to the success of the fighter pilots, the Air Corps started training twin engine pilots in 1943.

Two Hundred and Forty-Three bomber pilots were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field. The 477th Bombardment Group, flying the B-25 Mitchell Bomber, was established. The 477 th was scheduled to go to the Pacific Theater but the War ended prior to their deployment. The success of the Tuskegee Airmen led to the desegregation of the Military services by President Truman in 1948

WHO THEY ARE NOW

The Tuskegee Airmen were men that did not understand defeat. They returned from a war that did not accept them in their role as combat pilots, to a nation that did not accept them with full civil rights. They returned to the same America they left and, in spite of their spectacular military service records, their country was not willing to accept them as full citizens. Employment became another battle to fight at home. Many continued in the military and rose to the highest rank. Others continued their education and entered professional fields such as medicine, dentistry, law, engineering and education. Many served their communities at high level positions in government and industry. They later formed this organization, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

WHAT TUSKEGEE AIRMEN INC. IS ABOUT

The organization was incorporated in 1975 as a "Charitable and Educational Organization". Its mission is:

"To bring together in a spirit of friendship and goodwill all persons who share in the aspirations, frustrations, and successes of the men and women who pioneered in military aviation and in the Tuskegee Experience, to foster recognition and preserve the history of black achievements in aviation, and to inspire and motivate young men and women, particularly minorities, toward endeavors in Aviation and Aerospace."

Shortly thereafter a National Scholarship Fund was established. This Fund now awards over $90,000 each year to deserving high school graduates. In addition the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum was founded which provides a secure location where the memorabilia of the Tuskegee Airmen's invaluable contribution to our nation can be safely preserved and attractively displayed.

The National Headquarters in Arlington , Virginia serves a membership of over 1700 people in 48 Chapters throughout the United States .

The Tuskegee Airmen conduct youth flight programs. These programs operating through Chapters in the United States provide demonstration flights and flight training.

The Tuskegee Airmen seek to inspire young people to outstanding achievement and leadership in our democratic society through social and educational activities. To achieve this objective, the Airmen motivate, inspire and stimulate young people to study, sacrifice and attain self-sustaining status with marketable skills in the fields of aviation, aerospace, engineering and related field.