Page 9 - Black History Month 2021 - Combined Special Edition of Aerotech News and Review Nellis AFB Creech AFB Desert Lightning News

The Tuskegee Bomber Pilots

by Bob Alvis
special to Aerotech News
Many years ago, I came across a G.I.
Joe doll that was out of the box and was
a bit different than the usual G.I. Joes
that came out over the years.
The doll was a pilot and was Afri-
can-American, so I just figured it was a
Tuskegee Airman figure that was made
to honor their heroic ranks from World
War II.
But this G.I. Joe did not sport the Courtesy photograph
gear of a fighter pilot, so I did some The 477th Bombardment Group logo.
research and the story unfolded about a
group of Black airmen who ended up in
a totally different training command, in Air Corps School located in Lincoln,
the quest to make them bomber pilots. Neb. Upon their arrival in Nebraska,
Here’s a bit of background about the Tuskegee personnel were met with
how the 477th Bombardment Group derision. Many white officers and en-
came into being in 1943, when the need listed men were quite vocal in their re-
for more bomber pilots focused atten- sistance to African American bomber
tion on the personnel available at the pilots. However, the Tuskegee airmen
Tuskegee Institute, where they quickly were used to dealing with discrimi-
enlisted some pilots for a new program. nation and were determined to prove
In 1943, with the Tuskegee fighter themselves. Even though they were
pilot program underway, the Air Corps training with white pilots, their quarters
began to develop plans for a bomber were segregated and many of the off-
group that would be comprised of hours amenities were off limits to them.
‘negro’ pilots. Still uncertain about They were obviously being subjected
the outcome of the Tuskegee Experi- to a different standard than their white
ment, the Air Corps started to screen counterparts. Still, the Tuskegee Cadets Courtesy photograph
Black candidates for twin-engine train- graduated with the highest record ever Like all the other Bomber Crews in World War II, they just wanted to serve and be with those that shared their passion
ing. Cadets received initial training in achieved at the school. They moved on for flying regardless of skin color.
multi-engine Beechcraft AT-10s. to advanced training in Buffalo, N.Y.
It soon became apparent that the In October 1943, the decision was
addition of bombardier and naviga- made to form the 477th Bombardment prohibited Black pilots from using ex- the Air Corps to reexamine and cor- of overcoming adversity with skill,
knowledge and determination that this
rect some of its long-held policies of
tion training programs, as well as the Group. Once formed, the new group isting white-only training centers. This segregation. In the end, many of these country could ever hope for. The Air-
air traffic problem caused by the ad- would join the 99th Fighter Squadron delayed the training of many qualified valorous Americans were promoted to men serve as an object example of the
ditional aircraft, would tax the limited in North Africa. Tuskegee Cadets were Black pilots and resulted in the 477th positions of responsibility and author- words of Martin Luther King, Jr., when
resources available at Tuskegee. The given transitional training in B-25s in being activated just as hostilities were ity. On July 26, 1948, President Harry he looked toward a day when people
Army Air Corps decided to schedule preparation for the formation of the coming to a close, too late to see active Truman signed the Executive Order “will not be judged by the color of
bomber pilot training in existing flight new bomber group. Though the Air service. that integrated our nation’s armed their skin, but by the content of their
schools located in different parts of the Corps was in great need of pilots, it Still the 477th scored some lasting forces throughout the world, and many character.”
country. These other fields had previ- was unwilling to expand the Tuskegee victories. The character, determina- of these amazing airmen stepped into When teaching future generations,
ously been used for white trainees only. training facility. It was also not ready to tion and perseverance displayed by positions that for generations had only we should seek to not judge a person
One such flight school was the Army remove the barriers of segregation that the Tuskegee bomber pilots caused been a dream of those who only wanted by the color of their skin, but by their
respect and to serve their country. desire to be a leader and champion for
I’m sure I speak for many when I all those who believe that greatness is
state my belief that the accomplish- in the ability to persevere against all
ments of the Tuskegee Airmen will odds.
always be one of the greatest stories Until next time, Bob out…

Courtesy photograph
We salute the Tuskegee Bomber pilots of World War II, and their commitment
to excellence.

Courtesy photograph
Tuskegee Cadets in training to become navigators.

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