Some of the latest generation of USAF African-American airmen recently flew nine members of the first generation, the famed World War II Tuskegee Airmen, aboard a C-17 appropriately named “The Spirit of the Tuskegee Airmen.” Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command’s 315th Airlift Wing and Active 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB, S.C., and AFRC’s 446th AW at McChord AFB, Wash., flew their forebears in the specially named airlifter as part of the activities during the 35th annual Tuskegee Airmen Convention in Phoenix, Ariz. (Luke AFB, Ariz., dedicated an airpark to the historic group.)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.