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Heritage and courage -- History comes full circle for black aviators

  • Published
  • By Capt. Wayne Capps
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PHOENIX --  The past and present came together Aug. 4 as African-American aviators from different generations took part in a historical flight aboard a C-17 Globemaster III.

An all-volunteer, African-American aircrew from the 315th and 437th Airlift Wings, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and from the 446th AW, McChord AFB, Wash., flew nine original Tuskegee Airmen on an orientation flight on the C-17 named "The Spirit of the Tuskegee Airmen", as part of 35th annual Tuskegee Airman Convention in Phoenix.

"This flight united African-American aviators from two very different generations," said Master Sgt. Terry Grant, a reservist assigned to Air Force Reserve Command's 300th Airlift Squadron and one of the event planners. "These original Tuskegee Airmen had the opportunity to witness the fruits of their labor and see today's black aviators doing what they made possible."

According to historical information provided by the Tuskegee Airman, Inc., the Tuskegee Airmen were America's first black Airmen. At that time, many people thought that black men lacked the intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism to become aviators.

From 1942 through 1946, 994 pilots graduated at Tuskegee Army Airfield in Tuskegee, Ala. Black navigators, bombardiers and gunnery crews trained at various military bases elsewhere in the United States.

Sergeant Grant said that Charleston AFB has a close personal tie to the Tuskegee Airmen because Walterboro, S.C., a town 40 miles southwest of Charleston, was used as a training base for the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

"I am jealous," said Charles Lane, an 81-year-old original Tuskegee Airman who participated in the flight. "I wish I could give up about 55 years and fly with them."

Mr. Lane, a seasoned war veteran who flew 26 combat missions from Ramatalli, Italy, during WW II, trained as a P-51 Mustang pilot in Tuskegee, Ala., and in Walterboro, S.C.

The idea to take an all African-American C-17 crew and fly with original Tuskegee Airmen came from the mission's aircraft commander, Capt. Terry Troutman, from the 701st Airlift Squadron.

According to Captain Troutman, this mission was about influencing future generations of black aviators.

"There were more African-American pilots in 1943 and 1944 with the development of the Tuskegee Airmen than we have in 2006," said the captain. "This is about getting the word out to younger generations that their goals can be reached."

Opportunities are also available to black women. Maj. Kimberly Scott from McChord's 446th AW was one of the pilots on the flight.

Eugene Richardson, an 81-year-old former P-40 and P-47 pilot who also trained in Walterboro, S.C., said the flight was "fantastic."

"They (the aircrew) did almost as good as I did back then," he said with a laugh.

Mr. Richardson also said he felt a special connection with the crew.

"They are close to my heart," he said.

"I am glad that they (the aircrew) recognize that it is these old guys that made what they do possible," said Mr. Richardson as he walked off the plane. "It is just a great feeling to see all these black pilots around." (AFRC News Service)