Luke Airmen to attend Tuskegee convention Published July 31, 2009 By Senior Airman R. J. BIERMANN 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- More than 60 Luke Airmen will visit Las Vegas for a weekend-long convention to celebrate African-American military heroes. The Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 38th Annual National Convention will focus on "Honoring our Heroes - Past, Present and Future," during the Aug. 7 to 9 event. "Our goal is for these Airmen to attend the convention and return with tons of information to share with others," said Ben Bruce, 56th Fighter Wing Ground Safety manager. "The Tuskegee Airmen played a crucial role in military history. It's important this legacy lives on for years to come; hence the reason for the convention." The convention will include day-long speaking sessions and various military presentations included in four main forums: Senior leaders and company grade officers, enlisted leaders, women of the military, and Navy and Air Force aviators. The attending Thunderbolts will learn the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and how it directly links to the civil rights movement that would come later, according to Mr. Bruce. They will also be able to make a connection between the Tuskegee history and Air Force Core Values. Finally, Luke Airmen will understand how this view of Air Force history and team work is still relevant in today's fighting force. "There's so much going on that these Airmen may get lost within their schedules," Mr. Bruce said. "By the time they leave, they'll know enough about Tuskegee history to author a book. It's really going to be a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience for all." Many stories can be told surrounding the Tuskegee Airmen's legacy, but they only had one beginning. Events leading up to the establishment of the Tuskegee Airmen began in the early 1940s after Germany invaded most of Europe, according to Gus Vinas, 56th FW historian. As America geared up for war to rescue its traditional allies, who were nearing defeat, all sources of manpower were used to build America's war machine. The nation's population in 1940 was 130 million and included 13 million African-Americans. The nation could no longer afford to ignore its underutilized African-American resources as Germany neared world domination. At Tuskegee Army Air Field, Ala., a new breed of air warriors was born when on Oct. 13, 1942, the 301st and 302nd fighter squadrons were activated with all-black pilots. The units were assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group. Several other units were also later established. As the Allies pushed northward, the Tuskegee Airmen participated in such campaigns as Rome-Arno, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, North Apennines, Rhineland, Central Europe and Po Valley. Of the 994 pilots who graduated from the Tuskegee Airmen Program, 445 saw combat in Europe and flew 15,578 sorties during almost 1,600 missions. They damaged or destroyed 409 enemy aircraft and more than 745 locomotives and railcars, while losing 66 men. Decorations included the Distinguished Unit Citation Germany, Distinguished Unit Citation France, Legion of Merit, Silver Star, 95 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 744 Air Medals. "The accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen were made more significant by the fact they not only fought a fascist enemy in Europe, but an age-old war at home against racism," Mr. Vinas said. "The outstanding accomplishments of these Airmen during World War II were important factors behind President Harry Truman's Executive Order 9981 in 1948 which led to the end of segregation in the military." Look for more coverage on the Tuskegee Convention in the Aug. 17 Thunderbolt and at www.luke.af.mil.