Elmendorf reservists meet Tuskegee Airmen at convention

Published Aug. 18, 2009
By Maj. Cary McPartlin
477th FG/PA

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Ten reservists from the 477th Fighter Group here traveled to Las Vegas Aug. 6 where they met living history at the Tuskegee Airmen's 38th Annual Convention.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first American black military pilots and crewmen. They served during World War II fighting enemies overseas and discrimination at home. Several of the original Tuskegee Airmen attended the convention.

"It was great to be around the original Tuskegee Airmen again and see how their service and heroism impacted the course of our country," said Staff Sgt. Justin Lunn of the 477th Maintenance Squadron. "Their example is still shaping the lives of individuals today."

Air Force Reserve Command's 477th Fighter Group traces its heritage to these heroic aviation pioneers. The group's 302nd Fighter Squadron was part of the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as "The Redtails," the famous all-black unit that fought Nazi militarism.

Another Tuskegee Airmen unit, the 477th Bombardment Group, was activated in 1944. The 477th BG members trained and were ready to deploy just as the war ended.

The 477th and the 302nd were reactivated at Elmendorf AFB in October 2007 when the group became the Air Force Reserve Command's first F-22 Raptor unit.

In October 2007, the Elmendorf team spent two days meeting and chatting with five of the seven original Tuskegee Airmen who attended the 477th Fighter Group reactivation ceremony. Among the Tuskegee Airmen were Col. Charles McGee, who holds the record for most combat sorties in three wars; Lt. Col. Robert Ashby, the first black pilot hired by Frontier Airlines; and Lt. Col. James Warren, the group's honorary commander.

These former members of the WW II's 302nd Fighter Squadron and the 477th Bombardment Group and other Tuskegee Airmen shared their stories of courage, determination and unwavering human spirit to overcome all obstacles with today's 302nd and 477th fighting force.

The 477th FG members joined hundreds of other Airmen from the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, weaving conversations of current and future operations while paying tribute to the Air Force's historic legacy.

During the convention, several accomplishments of Airmen past and present were honored. The Top Gun trophy was presented to members of the 332nd FG to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Group's victory at the first National Fighter Gunnery Competition.

In addition, Col. Stayce Harris, U.S. Africa Command, was promoted to brigadier general in a moving ceremony. She is one of a handful of black officers to be promoted to general in the Air Force Reserve Command. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)