Gallery I

Pilots from the 332nd Fighter Group (Tuskegee Airmen) receiving the 1949 USAF Gunnery Meet First Place Trophy (reciprocating engine aircraft), at Nellis (Las Vegas AFB, Nevada). From the Air Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, Nevada, collection.

Pilots from the 332nd Fighter Group (Tuskegee Airmen) stood proud as the overall winners (reciprocating engine type aircraft) in 1949, in the first USAF Gunnery Meet held at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada. From the Air Warfare Center, Nellis AFM, Nevada, collection.

A photograph of the front cover of Lt. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.'s autobiography: "American: An Autobiography", Washington, Smithsonian Institution press, 1991. From the HQ AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas, collection.

This mural, "The Black Eagles," graced the wall in one of the student dormitories at Chanute AFB, Illinois. Courtesy of the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation

A number of dignitaries attended the dedication of Roberts Hall, the new visiting airmen quarters, at Chanute AFB, Illinois, in July 1987. Among those attending were the widow of Col. George S. "Spanky" Roberts, for whom the hall was named, and her family. Others attending included Brig. Gen. Joel M. McKean, Chanute Technical Training Center Commander, Rantoul, Illinois, Mayor Katy Podagrosi, Brig. Gen. Raymond B. Stewart, individual mobilization augmentee for the center commander, approximately nine former Tuskegee Airmen that served with Colonel Roberts, and retired Maj. Gen. Augustus M. Minton, who was the center commander of Chanute during the time when Colonel Roberts was the commander of the maintenance and supply group. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

A number of dignitaries attended the dedication of Roberts Hall, the new visiting airmen quarters, at Chanute AFB, Illinois, in July 1987. Among those attending were the widow of Col. George S. "Spanky" Roberts, for whom the hall was named, and her family. Others attending included Brig. Gen. Joel M. McKean, Chanute Technical Training Center Commander; Rantoul, Illinois, Mayor Katy Podagrosi; Brig. Gen. Raymond B. Stewart, individual mobilization augmentee for the center commander; approximately nine former Tuskegee Airmen that served with Colonel Roberts; and retired Maj. Gen. Augustus M. Minton, who was the center commander of Chanute during the time when Colonel Roberts was the commander of the maintenance and supply group. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

A number of dignitaries attended the dedication of Roberts Hall, the new visiting airmen quarters, at Chanute AFB, Illinois, in July 1987. Among those attending were the widow of Col. George S. "Spanky" Roberts, for whom the hall was named, and her family. Others attending included Brig. Gen. Joel M. McKean, Chanute Technical Training Center Commander; Rantoul, Illinois, Mayor Katy Podagrosi; Brig. Gen. Raymond B. Stewart, individual mobilization augmentee for the center commander; approximately nine former Tuskegee Airmen that served with Colonel Roberts; and retired Maj. Gen. Augustus M. Minton, who was the center commander of Chanute during the time when Colonel Roberts was the commander of the maintenance and supply group. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation

Chanute Technical Training Center commander, Brig. Gen. Joel K. McKean and Edith Roberts cut the ribbon on Building 200 during the dedication ceremony in July 1987. This building, the new visiting airmen quarters, was dedicated to the late Col. George "Spanky" Roberts, a former commander of the Maintenance and Supply Group at Chanute AFB, Illinois. The dedication ceremony was attended by Colonel Robert's widow, Edith and her family. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

Visitors to the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum hold a framed photograph of George S. "Spanky" Roberts. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

Tuskegee Airmen banner in the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, Rantoul, Illinois. The banner commemorates the Tuskegee Airmen who trained at Chanute Field during World War II. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

After the war, the Tuskegee Airmen were assigned to the newly activated 477th Composite Group, which consisted of two bomber squadrons and one fighter squadron. Here the aircrew gives a post-mission debrief for the maintenance crew of one of the group's B-25 Mitchel bombers. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

The Tuskegee Airmen pilot of this B-25 Mitchel bomber prepares to taxi out from the ramp at Lockburne AFB, Ohio, on a navigation and bombing training mission. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

A B-25 with the 477th Composite Group markings flies near Lockburne AFB (later Rickenbacker AFB), Ohio. From the HQ AETC/HO, Randolph AFB, Texas, collection.

The Tuskegee Airmen's statue at the Air Force Academy. Due to the rigid pattern of racial segregation that prevailed in the United States during World War II, over 966 Black military aviators were trained at an isolated training complex near the town of Tuskegee, Alabama, and at Tuskegee Institute (now known as Tuskegee University). Four hundred fifty Black fighter pilots under the command of Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., (who was later to become the US Air Force's 1st Black General) fought in the aerial war over North Africa, Sicily, and Europe flying in succession, P-40, P-39, P-47, and P-51 type aircraft. These gallant men flew 15,553 sorties and completed 1,578 missions with the 12th Tactical US Army Air Force and the 15th Strategic US Army Air Force. Courtesy Lt. Col. James C. Warren.

The chief of maintenance discusses the plane's performance with the pilot who had just flown a navigation training mission from Lockburne AFB, Ohio. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

A B-25 Mitchel bomber ground crew manually rotates the aircraft's propellers to keep the engine oil from thickening prior to an early morning mission at Lockburne AFB, Ohio. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Aircraft maintenance men of the 477th Composite Group repair the skin of a B-25 Mitchel bomber on the ramp at Lockburne AFB, Ohio. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

A B-25 Tuskegee Airmen aircrew of the 477th Composite Group review an aeronautical chart on which their training mission for the day is plotted. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Artwork - "The Saga of Ed Gleed - Tuskegee Airman". Artist: Roy LaGrone, From the Defense Visual Information Center collection.

Members of the original Tuskegee Airmen, a group of distinguished Black-American aviators, take part in the dedication ceremony of the Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Center for Aerospace Science and Health Education at Tuskegee Airmen's Plaza, Tuskegee University. Gen. James was the nation's first Black four-star Air Force general. From the Defense Visual Information Center collection.

An F-4C Phantom II aircraft stands in front of the Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Center for Aerospace and Health Education at Tuskegee Airmen's Plaza, Tuskegee University. The Phantom is the last aircraft flown by Gen. James, who was the nation's first Black four-star Air Force general. From the Defense Visual Information Center collection.

Gen. Alfred M. Gray, Marine Corps commandant, talks with Tuskegee Airmen George Walker III and Samuel Rhodes at the change of command ceremony in which Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen retires. Of the two parts into which Petersen's command is split, Brig. Gen. Gail M. Reals assumes command of Marine Corps Base, Quantico, and Lt. Gen. William R. Etnyre assumes command of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command. From the Defense Visual Information Center collection.

Five Tuskegee Airmen aircraft engine mechanic students get hands-on training at Keesler Field, Mississippi. They are working on disassembled radial engine cylinder heads in 1943. From the 81TRW/HO, Keesler AFB, MS, collection.

Nelson Brooks of the 99th Pursuit Squadron undergoing radio maintenance training at Chanute Field, Illinois, in 1941. US Air Force photo. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

Member of the 99th Pursuit Squadron undergoing welding training at Chanute Field, Illinois, in 1941. US Air Force photo. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

Members of the 99th Pursuit Squadron receiving armament training at Chanute Field, Illinois, in 1941. US Air Force photo. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

Members of the 99th Pursuit Squadron receiving teletype operator/maintenance training at Chanute Field, Illinois, in 1941. US Air Force photo. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

Private William Cobb leads members of the 99th Pursuit Squadron Glee Club in a song at Chanute Field, Illinois, in 1941. US Air Force photo. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

99th Pursuit Squadron technical training graduating class at Chanute Field, Illinois. Front row, from left to right:

C. Howard, O. Handy, W. Lane, S. Cooke, R. Henderson, H. Benson, T. Combes, M. Edwards, C. Feaster, H. Thorton, W. Watson, J. White, J. Smedley; back row: A. Searcy, A. Harris, J. Smith, P. Moss, H. Carter, W. Byrd, L. Beard, J. Howard, J. Freeman, R. Eaton, H. Jones, W. Griffin, P. Freeman, and E. Facen. US Air Force photo. Courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

USAF Gunnery Meet 1949 - #1