70 years of aviation excellence Published Aug. 10, 2011 By Senior Airman Danielle Campbell 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- "I am honored to be here," said Guest Speaker Kent Amos as he stood at the podium in a ballroom at the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor MD Aug 6. "Your theme for this year was '70 years of aviation excellence: Then, Now and the Future,'" he said. He peered into a crowd of more than 600 active duty, reserve and retired service members and their families. There were several members of the Original Tuskegee Airmen and their successors including members from the 55 Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated chapters. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. They flew with the 332nd Fighter Group, the only operational unit first sent overseas as part of Operation Torch, then in action in Italy, before being deployed as bomber escorts where they were particularly successful. The 40th annual convention ran Aug. 3-7. "Our purpose is to preserve the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and to open the eyes of our young people to history and to aviation," said Brig. Gen. (retired) Leon Johnson, national president of TAI, on the opening night of the convention and again on Aug. 6 before Amos took the stage at the gala that night. The week was saturated with distinguished guests and comprised several guest speakers, events, panels, presentations and displays. "I have seen more generals tonight than I had stripes on my uniform when I was enlisted," Amos joked. "But this is significant because I come from a time where it was unheard of to see black people in high ranking roles." This was a resounding theme from many of the speakers and presentations during the convention. "Governing forces finally realized that integrating the military was a pragmatic thing to do" said Dr. Alan Gropman of National Defense University and panelist from day 3. "Now the U.S. military is the most integrated part of America." That diversity was apparent at the gala as a sea of people from varying races and ethnicities filled the room, most of them wearing the Air Force formal or mess dress uniform. We can do a roll call of the "then," said Amos. Power behind his words echoed throughout the room as he began naming many of the historical figures in black and American history. "To the Tuskegee Airmen, your names are on the roll call as well -- and for that, we thank you," Amos said. "But how does yesterday's legacy comport with today?" Throughout the convention, many speakers and participants posed questions and discussed ways to continue the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. "This story needs to be told," said film producer and panelist Rick McCallum, Aug. 5. "That is why the Tuskegee Airmen documentary will air in November and the film Red Tails will hit the big screen in January 2012." Audience members during Rick McCallum's panel sat erect in their chairs that night as he showed the documentary and trailers for the upcoming film. It appeared the hairs on the back of the participants necks were standing up again as Amos gave some challenging words at the conclusion of his speech during the gala. "It is not good enough to use the legacy of these men and many others in history to just satisfy ones self," said Amos. "I ask, beg, plead with you to spend time with our young -- find a young person and bring your capacity to their doorstep." Aug. 3 kicked the convention off with a flyover from an Army PT-13 Stearman biplane in the early evening. Later that night, participants gathered for an honors reception which featured a special performance from the Air Force Tops in Blue. Unfortunately, Tuskegee Airman Robert L. Peoples from the Ohio Memorial Chapter passed away on that day. Aug. 4 was youth day and was set aside to inspire the aviators of tomorrow. More than 400 teenagers from across the country met at Joint Base Andrews, MD to experience a day in the military. Aug. 5 was military day and began with an executive and senior leader panel. Before lunch, a large crowd of hotel staff and guests lined the hallway of the convention center to cheer on the documented original Tuskegee Airmen and their families. Aug. 6 was a celebration day. Several forums preceded the gala that morning including the women of the military and the enlisted panel.
