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Greetings!
Even with last week’s setback, we have had a successful several weeks in Dallas at
the new CAF headquarters, reaching out to the Dallas community and making new
friends. Original Tuskegee Airmen Charles McGee delighted students from all over the
city as they came to our RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit to learn direct from the source!
This special guest truly left a lasting impression. Read this month’s newsletter for more
details and to get a glimpse at where else you can find us in the coming months.
Inspiring for higher!
L
ai
The CAF Red Tail Squadron logistics team is hard at work ensuring that we meet our
obligations for the 2016 season of RISE ABOVE Red Tail. Other CAF units and Mustang
operators have stepped up to make their aircraft available for our events if needed.
Our team will meet and exceed expectations for our outreach events. We have a full
schedule and have a plan in place to ensure that we continue to reach record numbers of people of all ages with the inspirational history and legacy of the Tuskegee
Airmen. We will RISE ABOVE!
U
R
An action plan has been created, which is already in motion, and there are no foreseeable roadblocks to a successful outcome. As of publication of this article, the aircraft
is up on its wheels in the hangar being prepared for transport at the end of the week to
Air Corps Aviation, the WWII aircraft specialists who led the two restorations of our P51C. Their team is standing by and will begin the repair process as soon as the aircraft
arrives. We will keep you updated with progress reports in our newsletter, blog and on
Facebook.
Ta
Red iL M
FEB
As you may have already heard, our P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen suffered an unfortunate incident on Wednesday, February 3. Because of a gear up landing the aircraft
is currently grounded. I was the pilot on that flight, and I take full responsibility for
what was simply a case of pilot error. Rest assured that our Mustang did not have any
sort of critical engine issue, and the damage it has sustained is completely repairable.
I am extremely remorseful, and as the Squadron Leader I pledge that I will be at the
forefront of ensuring the plane returns to service as quickly as possible.
AR
Y 20 6
1
In This Issue
• The Leader’s View
• Greetings From the Road
• Event & Archive Photos
• Portraits of Tuskegee Airmen:
Luther Smith
• In Your Words
• Our Mission in Action
• Shop with us!
Business News & Info
• Our Squadron in the News
• Welcome New Supporters
• Join us and become a
volunteer!
• For More Information
Bill Shepard, Squadron Leader
“Our objective is to carry
the lessons and legacy
of the Tuskegee Airmen
into every classroom in
America!”
~Don Hinz, CAF Red
Tail Squadron program
founder
GREETINGS FROM THE ROAD!
To bring RISE ABOVE Red Tail to your event contact Logistics CoordinatorMarvona Welsh at [email protected] or (812-240) 2560.
Help preserve the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen
for generations to come!
Our 2016 outreach season has begun! Even though our P-51C Mustang is currently unavailable for events, we
are going to do our best to honor our commitments. The availability of the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit has not
been impacted and its schedule remains unchanged. In addition, we have had an outpouring of support from
the warbird community, and there may be opportunities to pull in aircraft from other CAF units and Mustang
operators if necessary for our events. We will still be making our way across with our important message.
As with warbirds, air shows and aviation in general, we can count on the unexpected to happen! Please be assured that with a pilot safely on the ground and an aircraft that’s completely repairable after last week’s incident,
the CAF Red Tail Squadron will most certainly RISE ABOVE to continue it’s important mission to honor the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Keep an eye on our calendar! If there’s a chance that we will be near you, I hope you can come down and say
hello. As a supporter, I know the mission of the CAF Red Tail Squadron is important to you, and YOU are a big
part of our success. We hope to thank you in person at one of our many stops in 2016!
Sincerely,
Marvona Welsh
Logistics Coordinator
Photo courtesy Brandon Hicks
PLEASE CHECK OUR SCHEDULE ONLINE FOR UPDATES!
DATE
EVENT
LOCATION
Feb 23-28
Tallahassee Open House
Tallahassee, FL
March 2-6
CAF Air Power History Tour
Sarasota, FL
March 11-13
Tico Warbird Airshow
Titusville, FL
March 19-20
Tampa AirFest
MacDill AFB, FL
March 24-27
Open for events in Ft Lauderdale or Orlando Florida
March 28-April 3
MAINTENANCE BREAK
April 5-10
Sun N Fun
Lakeland, FL
April 16-17
Smoky Mountain Air Show
Knoxville, TN
April 20-24
Green McAdoo Museum
Clinton, TN
April 30-May 1
MCAS Cherry Point Air Show
North Carolina
May 4 -8
OPEN
MIDWEST
May 14-15
OPEN
MIDWEST
May 21-22
Lynchburg Regional Airshow
Lynchburg, VA
May 24-30
Tribute to Tuskegee Airmen
Pennsylvania, PA
June 3- 5
WWII Weekend
Reading, PA
June 6-12
MAINTENANCE BREAK
June 18-19
CAF Indianapolis
Mt. Comfort, IN
June 20-26
OPEN
MIDWEST
July 1-4
Grindstone Festival
Berea, OH
July 8-9
Angola Balloons Aloft
Angola, IN
July 14-17
OPEN
MIDWEST
July 20-24
OPEN
MIDWEST
July 25-31
EAA Air Venture
Oskhosh, WI
Aug 1-7
OPEN
MIDWEST to EAST
Aug 13-14
Wings Over Vermont
Burlington, VT
Aug 17-20
Wiscasset Open House
Wiscasset, MA
August 24-28
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Ontario, Canada
August 30-31
Brantford Rotary Charity Museum
Brantford, Ontario
Sept 2-4
OPEN
Sept 10-11
Fort Wayne ANG
Fort Wayne, IN
Sept 13-17
Black History Museum
Springfield, IL
Sept 21-24
CAF Rocky Mountain Wing
Grand Junction, CO
Sept 26-Oct 2
MAINTENANCE BREAK
Oct 8
Holloman AFB Open House & Air Show
Holloman, NM
Oct 14-16
Fort Worth Air Show
Fort Worth, TX
Oct 22-23
Wings Over Houston
Houston, TX
Oct 28-30
CAF WWII Air Expo
Dallas, TX
Nov 5-6
OPEN
Southern States
EVENT PHOTOS: CAF NATIONAL AIR BASE IN DALLAS, TX
To see more photos, please visit our Facebook page!
Please LIKE and SHARE! #riseaboveredtail #tuskegeeairmen
Bill Shepard and guest with original Tuskegee Airmen
MSgt Joseph B. Montgomery of the 99th squadron,
SSgt Homer Hogue and Col Charles McGee.
Col Charles McGee on stage with Eugene Richardson
and members of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Detroit
Chapter.
Ken, a volunteer at the CAF, explains the WWII Rations
System to local students.
McKinney Retired Active Texans (McRats) had a
great time with Tuskegee Airmen Col Charles McGee
at CAF headquarters.
The children loved meeting the Airmen.
Col McGee talks with students around the PT-17 Stearman.
Photos courtesy Marvona Welsh & Kevin Hong
PORTRAITS OF A TUSKEGEE AIRMAN: LUTHER SMITH
Character. What we do with what we’ve been given. What we do in
the face of adversity. What we do when times are good, and bad. In
the profile of Capt Luther Smith – original Tuskegee Airman, engineer,
patent-holder, community servant and father – we are given a great
example of this valuable trait.
Smith’s dreams of flight began early in childhood. He held them tight,
even when everyone around him and the constructs of society at the
time seemed to make that dream an impossible reality. But Smith
believed in the power of preparation… to be ready just in case circumstances may change and an opportunity could present itself.
As an 11-year-old growing up in Iowa, Smith found $5 in a field used
it to buy a ride in an airplane for him and his younger brother. The
experience had him hooked on aviation. The tenacious young man
would walk five miles everyday to the airport where he made himself
useful to anyone that would have him, planning to learn all he could
and one day get a seat in the cockpit. The local paper even wrote a
story on him. By 1940, he had earned his pilot’s license, becoming
one of the first black Americans to do so.
Official military photo of Captain Luther
Smith taken in 1947 just before he retired
due to medical injuries sustained on his He didn’t stop there. Smith was determined to fly in the military, even
final mission on Friday, October 13, 1944. though the U.S. Army Air Corps did not allow African Americans to
serve as pilots, regardless of experience and ability. He made sure he
was prepared anyhow.
When he was a student at the University of Iowa studying engineering, he knew that military pilots needed a
minimum two years of college education, so to advance his chances he made sure to check that box. And as fate
would have it, the Air Corps created the flight-training program at the Tuskegee Institute, and Smith went on to
earn his wings in the program.
Unfortunately, the challenges of being a black in a time of severe racial prejudice and discrimination in our country did not evaporate when he became an officer and fighter pilot, volunteering to fight for our country in WWII.
In fact, when he was en route to being deployed overseas, he was refused entry to a movie theater – a stark reminder of the tremendous obstacles yet to overcome.
Smith’s service with the 332nd Fighter Group included 133 combat missions within eight months, destroying two
German aircraft in air and 10 in ground strafing attacks. On his final mission, Smith’s aircraft was heavily damaged and he bailed out over Yugoslavia, where he was taken captive as a POW for seven months. He was badly
injured and emaciated by the time Allied forces liberated him, and endured a further two years of recovery stateside. He earned numerous commendations for his service and sacrifice, but his career as a military aviator came
to a stark halt, bringing Smith an early retirement and at the doorstep of starting over again.
After completing his degree, he went on to become the first African-American aerospace engineer for GE’s Missile and Space Operations, and served the company for the entire 38-year span of his career. He consulted with
NASA, developed patents, earned a Master’s degree and helped the Navy create silent submarines. All of this from
a man that GE didn’t initially want to even interview – a decorated war hero, well educated, determined – because of the color of his skin.
“His professional accomplishments after the war were groundbreaking for our society,” said his daughter Deborah Smith. “My father is unique, but of the Tuskegee Airmen that survived the war, it’s impressive to look at what
they’ve achieved in their lives, coming from a relatively small group. It’s a testament to these men and the talent
they had that would have otherwise been overlooked.”
It wasn’t until much later in life that Smith spoke publicly about his experiences as a Tuskegee Airmen, and when
he did it was captivating. “In the year 2000 my father made one of his first speeches about his service in the war
and it was the first time I heard him speak of it in much detail,” recalls his son, Gordon Smith. “The Tuskegee Airmen, like my father, share a common trait of determination and perseverance, and their success underscores these
qualities. They are the perfect example of not letting incredible institutional barriers get in the way. It’s the kind of
model you would want to provide for any young person. He delivered that message in a very impactful way to the
audiences he spoke to.”
Smith honorably served on the jury that chose the design for the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. At
the groundbreaking ceremony, he spoke about his time serving our country, and earned the praise of then president Bill Clinton, whom he also accompanied to Europe to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII. For his
service, outstanding career and commitment to his community, Smith received much recognition, including an
honorary doctorate from Tuskegee University in 2006.
Capt Luther Smith passed away in 2009 at the age of 89. He remains a vivid reminder of the Tuskegee Airmen’s
ability to rise above the obstacles set before them to triumph over adversity. He fought the enemy abroad and racism at home. His inspirational life story is one not only of determination, but great success. We salute you sir.
Luther Smith in the cockpit of his P-51
Mustang which is positioned on the
tarmac at Ramitelli Air Field in Ramitelli,
Italy in the summer of 1944. Amazingly
included in the photo sitting on the wing
is his brother, Sergeant Howard Smith
whom was stationed nearby.
Luther Smith in the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt after
landing from a combat mission in June 1944. This photo is
unique in that the 332nd Fighter Group (Luther was in the
302nd) did not fly many missions in the P-47. Of Luther’s
133 combat missions, he flew only 10 in the P-47 which
preceded their receiving P-51 Mustangs.
OUR MISSION IN ACTION
Along with our mission to educate audiences across the country about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee
Airmen, the CAF Red Tail Squadron was founded on the objective to carry their important lessons into every
classroom in America. See how the message of the Tuskegee Airmen has left a strong impression on students
from around the country!
I am in a class called Interdisciplinary Studies that combines History
and English. Every year there is a famous project called History vs.
Hollywood, the premise of the project is to pick a movie that has
historical significance and compare the history of the movie to the
“Hollywood” of the movie. My movie was Red Tails. The first time I
ever heard of the Tuskegee Airmen was through the movie Red Tails.
After seeing the movie I asked my Grandfather who was a navigator
in the B-29 bomber during WWII about the airmen. When hearing
this a smile came to his face and he said yes, they were very famous
in the U.S. Army Air Core (USAAC) at the time. While performing my
research I realized that the Tuskegee Airmen were the greatest fighter
squadron in U.S. history. During their missions of escorting bombing
fleets, they lost the least amount of bombers than any other squadron in the USAAC. The Tuskegee airmen received
a Distinguished Unit Citation, several silver stars, 150 distinguished flying crosses, fourteen bronze stars, and 744
air medals. While facing discrimination both on and off the ground the Tuskegee Airmen showed the world that
African-American men can and will fly with more heart and determination than any other pilots. These men have
taught me to persevere through adversity, no matter what situation you are in or what challenges you face. If you
keep your eye on your dream it can happen. About 75 years ago these men started flying for their country. My
dream has always been to fly and fight for my country. Their memory will remind me that if I ever had a bump in
the road toward my dream that it will be extremely easy compared to what they did. If I do end up flying it will not
only be to honor these brave men, but to spread the word of their great triumphs.
Ryan Miller
The following four submissions are USAF Jr ROTC Cadets whose leader MSgt Thomas Frazier,
used the RISE ABOVE Resource kit to teach the cadets about the Tuskegee Airmen.
Our RISE ABOVE Resource Kit is specially designed for teachers and youth
leaders to inspire and teach students about the history and legacy of the
Tuskegee Airmen.
Available for $110 – over a $280 value!
www.redtail.org/product/rise-above-educational-kit
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“We are all not perfect. We are all American.
We are all one, and we are all trying to get
along in this world”
~ MSgt James Cooper
Photo courtesy Richard VanderMeulen
Make a one-time or recurring donation to help us to ensure the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen is passed
on to future generations, so that their strength of character, courage and ability to triumph over adversity may serve as a means to inspire others to RISE ABOVE obstacles in their own lives and achieve their
goals!
Give online, by calling 888-928-0188, or by mail at:
CAF Red Tail Squadron
971 Hallstrom Drive
Red Wing, MN 55066
IN YOUR WORDS
The RISE ABOVE resource kit was inspirational to me. I am a
former USAF weapons loader, I have loaded on F-15, F-16 and
A-10 aircraft. I was happy to engage the cadets with the
stories of the Tuskegee Airmen. The dedication, perseverance and finally the perfection they showed was truly remarkable and all Americans should feel proud of their military
accomplishments as Americans.
The cadet testimonials are attached while the essay contest papers are being
mailed to you. Thank you for this experience.
MSgt Frazier, Thomas (ret)
FL-824, Air Force JROTC
Hello from Volunteer Central! It won’t be long until the RISE ABOVE
Drive Team sets off for Sunny Florida to continue spreading the inspirational message of the Tuskegee Airmen. From Tallahassee to Sarasota,
Titusville, Tampa, Miami and finally ending up in Lakeland for SUN ‘n
FUN, the swing through Florida will be a great start to the season.
Ambassador spots are still open so contact me at [email protected] if
you’re able to help out.
CAF Volunteer Coordinator, Ken Mist
Learn more at www.redtail.org/volunteer/
SHOP WITH US! Visit our entire store at www.redtail.org/store
Moisture wicking polo shirts for men and women
Only $42-44 plus s/h $5
Designed for modern office pros, travelers and urban commuters, our sleek polo fuses the comfort of a knit with the
structure of a woven shirt. It wicks moisture, has stretch for
ease of movement and an unencumbered fit. Our specialized finishing process improves the softness wash after
wash.
Available in black, battle grey, navy, white, dress blue or
very berry.
Our exclusive CAF Red Tail Squadron Collector
Coin
Only $10 plus s/h $2.50
A 3” gold plated zinc alloy collector coin created
specially for the CAF Red Tail Squadron featuring
the Guiding Six Principles on the back. A great
keepsake for yourself, trade, or gift for someone
special!
Front
Back
OUR SQUADRON IN THE NEWS
“CAF Red Tail Squadron to Showcase at ASCD Educators Conference” – Warbirds News
“Rise Above Traveling Exhibit Making Capital City Stop” – WTXL ABC
“2016 Owensboro Air Show Set for October” – WBKR
“Canadian Snowbirds coming to air show” – Messenger-Inquirer
“African-American History Museum to open March 3” – The State Journal-Register
“Traveling World War II exhibit salutes Red Tail Squadron” – Bradenton Herold
We need YOU!
If you have attended an event and taken photos of the Mustang or guests
visiting the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit, we would love to share them
with others!
Please email them to [email protected], and when used photo credits will
be given to you!
ARCHIVE PHOTOS
Courtesy the archives of Maxwell AFB, AL
DID YOU KNOW?
5 February 1939: Triangle Airport opened in Tuskegee, on land owned by John Connor. Stanley O. Kennedy, Sr.,
whose father leased the field, served as the airfield manager. Kennedy and two other white men, Forrest Shelton and Joe Wright Wilkerson, built the field originally for their personal use. This is the same field that Tuskege
Institute later acquired for its part in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, and it was popularly called Kennedy
Field, although to Tuskegee Institute, it was airport number 1. Eventually Tuskegee Institute acquired a second
airfield, which was called Moton Field.
WELCOME SUPPORTERS!
Thank you to the new supporters who have joined us at the sponsor level of $100 or more.
Contact us to pledge your support and join the ranks!
Accurate Felt & Gasket Mfg.
Co., Inc.
Carmen Abad-Fitts
James Adamson
Rodney Alexander
Esterlene Anderson
Grady Ash
William Aubin
Mamie Baker
Eugene Banks
Warrick Barrett
Jesse Barrington
Barbara Bayless
Lorenzo Benet
Capt Thomas Bernitt
Scott Blakemore
Evonne Blakey
Katherine Blewett
Clarence Brown
Dr. William Brown
Howard Bueschel
Horace Bullock
CW04 Larry Bussey
Larry Butler
Thomas Butz
Kermit Cain
Michael Cambell
Anna Catalanotto
William Chandler
Barbara Chappell
Harold Choitz
Barbara Claman
Wesley Clark
Dr. James Cleveland
Sydney Cohen
John & Jean Coleman
Lillian Coleman
Datin Combs
Norman Corbett
Thomas Cornforth
Jacqueline Covington
Henry Crommelin
Ermin Crownley
Michael Cunningham
Jeffrey Curry
Frances Davis
John Davis
Sam Davis
Col Lawrence Dawson
Andrew Dean
Yvonne Dekok
Doris Derby
James Diggs
Thomas Drehs
Col John Duncan USAF Ret.
Kenneth Dunipace
Robert & Gwynne Edmund
Michael Edwards
Mark Erickson
Takashi Eto
Col James Evans
David Everson
P. Fanning
Lt Col D. Patrick Farley
Adolphus Favors
Lindsay Fischer
Michael Fitzgibbons
Dr. Nancy Flowers
Darrell Foell
Rowland Foster
Raymond Fudge
Henry Funderburk
Thurston Gaines
John Gale
Carla Gary
Mary George
Capt David Georgius
Rev. Frank Gibson
Margaret Gordon
Edward Greer
Paul Guercio
Dr. Bernard Hale
Richard Hall
Bentley Hamilton
Willie D. Harper
Earnest Harris
Helen Harris
Thomas Hawk
Brockton Hefflin
Clyde Henderson
Gene Hendrix
David Hoats
Alika Hope
Jonathan Howell
Alan Hoving
Harlan Howard
John Howard
William Hoyt
Alfred Hurd
Anthony Iani
Gerald Indorf
Dirk Jochems
Mark Johnson
John Jones
Nelson Jones
Cedric Joubert
Dr. William Kate
Maurice Kaufman
Col C. Kengla
Oliver Kennedy
Sam Kennedy
Richard Klaber
David Knutson
Joseph Koval
Col Jack Krout
Royal Lachasse
John Lahl
Wallace Last
Dr. Grant Latimore
Donald Leavenworth
Mr. & Mrs. John Leseth
Gregory Lincoln
Tarky Lombardi
Herman Long
James Lundberg
Ron Lynch
Luther Manus
Bette Matava
Mark Mc Cann
Alonzo McCaulley
Ira McCloud
David McDaniel
John McIver
Carlyle Melleby
Joseph Menard
Col Ross Mickey
Mary Morello
Phoebe Morris
Jeff Muhlenkamp
Millard Murphy
Herman Nelson
Robert Newton
Hurman Nicholson
Patricia Norton
Ada Nyabongo
Col P. O’Croinin
Maj Lee Offen
Dolores Oppenheim
Shih Pai
Robert Pasquill
Michael Pearson
Camille Petty
Harry Phillips
Jennifer Pirrie
Ronald Price
Dean Psiropoulos
Gene Rahll
Jeffrey Ramsey
Obie Reid
Linda Reynolds
Norman Reynolds
Chuck Rikli
John Riordan
Glen Robertson
Mr. & Mrs. Cambric
Robinson
Robert Ronus
Charles Ross
Stanley Ross
Gary Rupnik
Angelle Ruppert
Craig Salley
Charles Saunders
Robert Savage
Michael Schoenfield
Joan Schraml
Scott Schwindaman
John Seay
Donald Sefton
Irwin Selden
Theodore Seman
Sylvia Shih
Charles Simms
Scott Smedira
Douglas Smith
Wesley Smith
Scott Stacey
Dr. John Stevenson
Col Michael Stevenson
Stephen Sumandra
Gary Thompson
Thomas Tersillo
John Tompkins
John Tubbs
Capt Jan Van Tol
VFW 7464
Larry Wallman
A.J. Watson
Augustus Washington
Isaac Washington
Anthony Waters
Paul & Bonnie Weiss
Franklin White
Jay Wiemuth
Mary Williams
Ed Woods
Dell Wright
In Yo
Mary Ellen Yoder
Floyd Young
James Zehnder
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please mail correspondence or
donations to our home office at:
CAF Red Tail Squadron
971 Hallstrom Drive
Red Wing, MN 55066
Copyright ©
Commemorative Air Force
Red Tail Squadron™
R
TaiL MaiL
ed
N
EW
S L ETT E R
To bring RISE ABOVE
to your event, contact:
Marvona Welsh
Logistics Coordinator
[email protected]
812-240-2560
General Inquires:
LaVone Kay
Marketing Director
[email protected]
888.928.0188
Bill Shepard
Squadron Leader
[email protected]
Darcy Castro
PR & Communications
[email protected]
Ken Mist
Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected]
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Check out our blog for an in-depth look at CAF Red Tail Squadron events,
news and special interest stories.
www.redtail.org/blog
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Watch this video to see how school children have been empowered by learning
about these fine American heroes, and the enthusiasm educators have for our
educational outreach efforts.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7h4VmIPGBM
Get our FREE iBook! On your Apple iOS or OS X device, use your iBooks app,
hit Bookstore and type in “Tuskegee Airmen” to download your free copy of this
interactive and fun educational book for all ages!
You must have an iPad or an Apple computer with a Maverick operating system.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/aim-high-aircraft-tuskegee/
The CAF Red Tail Squadron and its outreach programs are not affiliated with Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. All funds donated to the CAF Red Tail
Squadron are used by the organization for education outreach programs to further their mission to educate audiences across the country
about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Endorsement and support of the organization and its efforts by original Tuskegee
Airmen, their family members or members of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. should not be considered an endorsement by Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.