Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site: A Tribute to Courage

The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, situated at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, stands as a powerful monument to the extraordinary contributions of the African American airmen and women who defied racial prejudice to serve their country during World War II. Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. However, civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all African-American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941, who became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Moton Field served as the exclusive primary flight training facility for African American pilot candidates in the U.S. Army Air Corps (later the Army Air Forces) from 1941 to 1945. Named after Robert Russa Moton, the second president of Tuskegee Institute, the field was constructed between 1940 and 1942 with funding from the Julius Rosenwald Fund. Tuskegee Institute was chosen by the military for its commitment to aeronautical training, existing facilities, and favorable climate for year-round flying. Today, the National Park Service operates the site to preserve and interpret the history and accomplishments of these pioneering aviators. Visitors can explore Hangar 1, which houses the visitor center and museum exhibits that showcase the Tuskegee Airmen's journey, including their training, challenges, and wartime experiences. See restored vintage airplanes, an interactive parachute display, and listen to oral histories from the Airmen themselves. The site includes five historic structures, including the Control Tower and the Skyway Club. A highlight is the four-minute video in Hangar 1 that introduces visitors to the Tuskegee Airmen. The site serves as a reminder of the Tuskegee Airmen's impact on civil rights and military aviation.