This will not stand: US Defence Secretary reinstates Tuskegee Airmen history in USAF training
Despite concerns to the contrary, a video highlighting the remarkable achievements of the black airmen and ground crew of Tuskegee during the Second World War will remain in the US Air Force training programme, according to Pete Hegseth, the new US Defence Secretary.
This decision comes despite president Donald Trump's executive order that aims to block diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which had led to these videos being temporarily removed from the USAF curriculum.
Secretary Hegseth, who served as an infantry officer in the US Army National Guard, responded to Republican Senator Katie Boyd Britt's tweet in which she stated she has "no doubt Secretary Hegseth will correct and get to the bottom of the malicious compliance we've seen in recent days", saying: "Amen!
"We're all over it, Senator. This will not stand."
News of the change to lesson plans became public knowledge after a photo of a memo was posted on Facebook page Air Force amn/nco/snco on 24 January.
It stated: "In accordance with NEW DEIA Guidance, the lesson plans listed below have been changed/alternated to meet the guidance.
"The following three lessons were affected and to be used in place of the previous lessons immediately.
"BMT Course-LMABM9T000.00AD
"Block I, Unit 8-Airmindedness (3 videos removed-Tuskegee Airmen, Breaking Barriers, and WASP)
"Block II, Unit 1-Human Relations (1 video removed-Diversity)
"MTIB (MTIS)-L3ALRB000 OM4C
"Block I, Unit 8-Team Building."
In her tweet demanding the Tuskegee Airmen's extraordinary contribution to the Second World War be honoured, Senator Britt said: "...there is no greater historical example of a highly skilled, valiant fighting force than the Tuskegee Airmen.
"These role models will continue to inspire the next generation of courageous, selfless American service members."
In response to the memo being made public, a USAF official told CBS News: "Immediate steps were taken to remove curriculum that is now under review to ensure compliance with Executive Orders issued by the president.
"Historical videos were interwoven into US Air Force and Space Force curriculum and were not the direct focus of course removal actions.
"Additional details on curriculum updates will be provided when they're available."
In a statement to CBS News, Lieutenant General Brian S Robinson, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, said: "No curriculum or content highlighting the honour and valour of the Tuskegee Airmen or Women Air Force Service Pilots has been removed from Basic Military Training.
"The revised training which focuses on the documented historic legacy and decorated valour with which these units and Airmen fought for our nation in World War II and beyond will continue on 27 January.
"The Air Force has not removed these Airmen's incredible heritage from any training.
"Their personal examples of service, sacrifice and combat effectiveness are illustrative of the core values, character and warrior ethos necessary to be an Airman and Guardian."
Who are the Tuskegee Airmen?
During the Second World War, despite being treated as second-class citizens, many black men still wanted to serve their country only to be told their contribution to the war effort wasn't as valuable as their white counterparts.
The pioneering black airmen and groundcrew of Tuskegee, Alabama, changed all that and, in doing so, paved the way for the desegregation of the US armed forces.
Referred to by the airmen themselves as the Tuskegee Experience, the Army Air Corps' first programme to train enlisted black men as combat pilots and support personnel proved a massive success.
Nicknamed The Red Tails, due to the pilots painting the tails of their P-47s in red paint, the Tuskegee airmen were some of the best pilots in the US Army Air Force (the predecessor of the US Air Force), with an impressive 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses between them.
A video highlighting the work of Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) – female pilots who ferried more than 50% of the combat aircraft within the US during the Second World War – was also due to be removed.
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