Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh was inducted as an honorary Tuskegee Airman during a March 22 ceremony in downtown Montgomery, Ala., commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen Experience, according to a March 24 release. “We’re taking this action because [Welsh] has been an active proponent and supporter of getting the message about the legacy and heritage of the Tuskegee Airmen out to the members of your Air Force and the strength that comes from diversity,” said retired Brig. Gen. Leon Johnson, who serves as the board chair of the Tuskegee Airmen Foundation and president of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. During the ceremony, which was held just 40 miles from where the US Army Air Corps trained the first African American military aviation group, Welsh was given a red jacket, representing “the distinctive red that pilots and maintainers painted the tails of their P-47 and P-51 fighters in the 332nd Fighter Group,” states the release. Other honorary members include former President Bill Clinton, former CSAF retired Gen. Norton Schwartz, director George Lucas, “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts, and radio personality Tom Joyner. (See also Air Force Magazine’s online photo essay and the complementary photo essay in the March print issue.)
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.