Air Force gains a piece of Tuskegee Airmen history 75 years after military segregation ends

Retired Col. Carl C. Johnson, a Tuskegee Airman, answers interview questions during the Tuskegee Airmen PT-17 Stearman Aircraft Exchange ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 26, 2023. The ceremony coincided with the 75th anniversary of the signing by President Harry S. Truman of Executive Order 9981 directing the military to end segregation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyrone Thomas)

Air Force gains a piece of Tuskegee Airmen history 75 years after military segregation ends

Rob Collings, Collings Foundation’s executive director, and U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., exchange a map signed by the Tuskegee Airmen during the PT-17 Stearman Aircraft Exchange ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 26, 2023. Brown became an honorary Tuskegee Airman in August 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyrone Thomas)

CSAF, Tuskegee Airmen recognize 75 years of trailblazing

Published July 27, 2023
By Staff Sgt. Olivia B. Stecker
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) --

Three Tuskegee Airmen joined Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., at Joint Base Andrews July 26 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of desegregation in the military and officially induct a PT-17 Stearman into the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Tuskegee Airmen and attendees listen to a speaker during the Tuskegee Airmen PT-17 Stearman Aircraft Exchange ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 26, 2023. The ceremony featured a restored PT-17 Stearman that was used as a trainer for the Tuskegee Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyrone Thomas) — Tuskegee Airmen and attendees listen to a speech during the Tuskegee Airmen PT-17 Stearman Aircraft Exchange ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 26, 2023. The ceremony featured a restored PT-17 Stearman that was used as a trainer for the Tuskegee Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyrone Thomas)

The event recognized the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and their impact of ensuring Airmen as well as other service members can serve to their full potential.

On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, calling for the desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces, renouncing 170 years of sanctioned discrimination. This crucial step forward inspired other parts of American society to move toward desegregation.

As the first all-Black American unit in World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen’s actions, accomplishments and experiences helped inspire Truman’s executive order.

“If you got a dream, work on it no matter what it is. If a high school dropout can do what I’ve done, you can do whatever dream you dream about. I hope that message gets out to the young people.” Tuskegee Airman William Fauntroy

The key aspect of the ceremony was the induction of the PT-17 as a reminder of how most Tuskegee pilots, like retired Col. Carl Johnson, first trained on this aircraft during World War II. Currently, only two known PT-17 Stearmans used by the Tuskegee Airmen remain.

Tuskegee Airmen photos hang inside the PT-17 Stearman during the Tuskegee Airmen PT-17 Stearman Aircraft Exchange ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 26, 2023. This PT-17 Stearman aircraft served as a training bi-plane for the Tuskegee Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyrone Thomas)

“Let us remember that those who flew this plane, those who started their journey to conquer the skies; ultimately changed our Air Force, our armed services and our nation for the better,” Brown said.

The addition of the aircraft to the National Museum of the Air Force is a tribute to those who overcame discrimination and persevered against adversity to become one of the greatest fighter groups in U.S. history.

Brown reflected on the importance of their accomplishments, “Their progress is what made it possible for me to stand here today as the 22nd Air Force chief of staff.”

He continued to explain how the Tuskegee Airmen, such as Johnson, Fauntroy, and Lt. Col. Shelton Ware who attended the event, laid the groundwork for many Airmen to not only serve but to succeed and thrive in the military.