January 25, 2025
TUSKEGEE, Ala. ꟷ The Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI) is disappointed and strongly opposed to the removal of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen’s story from the Air Force’s training courses, as part of a presidential executive order to suspend diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives.
The Tuskegee Airmen included more than 16,000 men and women who participated in the training of aircrew members from 1941-1949. Nearly 1,000 were pilots, but they also included military and civilian members, as well as people from all races and nationalities who served at Tuskegee Army Airfield and the programs stemming from the “Tuskegee Experience.”
The service and sacrifice of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASPs, who were also removed from the Air Force’s training courses, are an essential part of American history and carried significant weight in the World War II veteran community. We believe the content of these courses does not promote one category of service member/ or citizen over another. They are simply a part of American military history that all service members should be made aware of.
We call upon the President and the Secretary of Defense to immediately rescind this action and provide clear guidance to all government agencies to restore the courses to their former status.
As a nonprofit organization, we are required to remain apolitical. The opinions we express today reflect our values as a military heritage organization, committed to telling a full and accurate history of all service members of World War II, regardless of race, gender or national origin.
