On this day, February 19, 1942, the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American fighter squadron was initiated.1 Up until then, African Americans were not permitted to fly in the U.S. military. Chosen because of its specialization in aeronautical training, the Tuskegee Institute was a prime location to train this elite squadron, which included pilots, pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance, instructors, and all support staff responsible for every aspect of flight, from take-off to landing.
Dubbed the Redtails due to their plane tails painted red for identification purposes, the airmen played a significant role in World War II, both in combat and as escorts to heavy bombers raiding enemy territory. By the end of WWII, The Tuskegee Airmen had flown over 15,000 missions. Their storied legacy lives in the annals of history for being one of the most respected fighter groups of WWII, and their service led to the desegregation of the U.S. military.
https://www.blackfacts.com/fact/tuskegee-airmen-initiated
http://tuskegeeairmen.org/explore-tai/a-brief-history/
http://tuskegeeairmen.org/explore-tai/a-brief-history/
https://www.historynet.com/tuskegee-airmen