Did you know… Red Tails played vital role in WWII

This airpark is dedicated to the Red Tail warriors of the Tuskegee Airmen. The F-16 Fighting Falcon static display has a red tail in honor of the 332nd Fighter Group, which was known as the Red Tail Angels that flew in World War II. The nose of the F-16 is painted with the words “By request,” taken from the nose art of Col. Benjamin Davis who told his fellow pilots that under no circumstances were they to leave the bombers they were protecting even after the bombs had been dropped. The P-51 was one of the best fighters ever flown at the time when the 332nd Fighter Group began to develop a reputation with its escorted bomber groups. Bomber groups knew that if they were escorted by the Red-tailed Mustangs they stood a greater chance of returning home from their missions. Very soon the 332nd FG was placed on many mission boards “by request.” This delighted Davis so much, that he had his crew chief paint the phrase on the side of his aircraft. The airpark is near the 944th Fighter Wing headquarters building on Super Sabre Street.