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    Thunderbolts honor Tuskegee Airmen during ceremony

    Thunderbolts honor Tuskegee Airmen during ceremony

    Photo By Senior Airman Pedro Mota | Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, 56th Fighter Wing commander, stands with members of the...... read more read more

    LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, AZ, UNITED STATES

    11.11.2016

    Story by Airman Pedro Mota 

    56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

    The ceremony began with Nate Carr, Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated’s treasurer, briefly explaining the history of the battle for liberty the Tuskegee Airmen had to endure, both overseas and at home.
    “More than 1000 Tuskegee pilots received their wings during WWII,” Carr said, “But, for every pilot there are at least 10 Airmen on the ground supporting them. This ceremony today honors more than 15,000 men and women who were a part of the Tuskegee experience.”
    The Tuskegee Airmen made up a squadron of mostly African-American pilots who flew the P-51 Mustang. These “Red Tail Angels” flew B-17 bomber escorts during World War II, where they had the lowest casualty rates of bombers being escorted.
    “Roughly 300 surviving Tuskegee Airmen received the congressional gold metal on March 29, 2007,” said David Toliver, former ARAC president. “This year has also been important for the Tuskegee Airmen history. Today we will unveil the granite paver between the U.S.S Arizona gun barrel monument and the U.S.S Missouri gun barrel.”
    The Tuskegee Red Tail granite paver is a 40-pound block placed into the ground along with other pavers that memorialize members who’ve served in World War II.
    Among Leaders from Luke was Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, 56th Fighter Wing commander.
    “I always tell people that history makes us smart, but heritage makes us proud,” said Bernard Bruce, 56th FW occupational safety manager and ARAC historian. “Stories live forever but only if you tell them.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.11.2016
    Date Posted: 11.18.2016 14:37
    Story ID: 214603
    Location: LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, AZ, US

    Web Views: 19
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN