Local Tuskegee Airmen chapter welcomes new wing commander

  • Published
  • By Ryan Hansen
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Six members of the local chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, including one of Nebraska's original Tuskegee and one former P-51C pilot officially welcomed the new 55th Wing commander to base during a meeting here June 15.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Charles Lane and former Army Cpl. Robert D. Holts and, two of the original Tuskegee Airman, joined Alfonza W. Davis Chapter President Robert Rose, retired Brig. Gen. Randolph Scott, Emerson Mungin and Karen Davis for a personal visit with Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, 55th Wing commander.

"We wanted to welcome the new commander, build a relationship between our two organizations and reinvigorate our presence here on Offutt," Mr. Rose said. "We think we can really have a positive influence on our active-duty members here, and we're hoping to become more and more engaged with the entire base populace."

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in our nation's history. They overcame a tremendous amount of racial discrimination to play a huge role with the Army Air Corps during World War II.

As time continues to pass, groups like the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. have made it their goal to educate others and increase awareness so that the legacy of the Red Tails is never forgotten.

"We think we have the opportunity here to really draw on both of our organization's resources to build a lasting presence here on base," General Scott said. "We're hoping to get the young people involved with our group so they can carry the torch for the next generation."

Corporal Holts is one of approximately 13 Omaha natives who served with the original Tuskegee Airmen. He spent the majority of his military service as a draftsman.

Colonel Lane flew the vaunted P-51C Mustang over Italy with the 332nd Fighter Group. He was the youngest black fighter pilot in World War II.

Together, they are two of three remaining original Tuskegee Airman who live in Nebraska. Retired Lt. Col. Paul Adams of Lincoln, Neb., is the other.

"Everyone in the Air Force values the huge role the Tuskegee Airmen played in our history," General Bacon said. "To have these heroes right here among us in Nebraska is truly amazing. I'm looking forward to having more events with them on the base so they can share their experiences with all of us."

The Alfonza W. Davis Chapter is planning on hosting a luncheon on base late in the year where they'll have a meet and greet with the original Tuskegee Airmen.

"We'll have our chapter historian pass along some incredible stories about the Red Tail's heroics over Europe during World War II and give the base personnel the chance to meet these heroes," Mr. Rose said.

For more information on how you can join the local Tuskegee Airman chapter, please contact Mr. Rose at (402) 292-8912 or by email at rdrjr@cox.net.