Historic Tuskegee Aircraft Fly Over Home Field

A historic three-ship formation flight featuring aircraft flown by Tuskegee Airmen, past and present, took place recently over Moton Field Municipal Airport (LID) just north of Tuskegee, Alabama, honoring the brave African-American pilots who fought layers of obstacles to fight for their country in World War II. Moton Field was one of the primary training bases for the Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African American pilots allowed in the U.S. Army Air Force where they fought not only for their country but also against racial segregation.

The Tuskegee Airmen flew several types of warbirds, but were most recognized for the squadron flying North American P-51 Mustangs marked with red tails. The flight over Moton consisted of a P-51C Mustang, a General Dynamics F-16C Falcon and a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor flown by Delta Air Lines and CAF pilot Brad Lang, Major Rich “Sheriff” Peace, and Major Paul “Loco” Lopez respectively.

The red-tail Mustang is owned by the Commemorative Air Force and is part of the organization’s Red Tail Squadron traveling exhibit. The airplane represents the 99th, 100th, 301st and 302nd Fighter Squadrons, which were part of the 332nd Fighter Group, the group that became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The Falcon represented the 100th Fighter Squadron and the Raptor the 301st and 302nd Fighter Squadrons.

Lang says this was the first time in 75 years that a formation flight representing past and present Tuskegee Airmen has flown over Moton Field. The flight took off from Montgomery Regional Airport – Dannelly Field (MGM) and was photographed by Keith Charlot from another F-16C, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Ray “Hollywood” Fowler.