In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans have played a significant role in U.S. Military history over the past 300 years. They were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the US Military. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all African-American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1941. They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

To learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen, visit their website www.tuskegeeairmen.org