Thursday afternoon on Capitol Hill the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II fame received a collective Congressional Gold Medal “in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces,” reads the public law (109-213) authorizing the award. The legendary airmen became the first black US military pilots, training at a separate facility near Tuskegee, Ala., hence the name. Of the 992 graduates, some 450 served in combat during World War II, establishing an exemplary standard in fighters and bombers. Their ranks included Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who would retire as a three-star general and receive a fourth star years later, and Daniel “Chappie” James, who would become the first black four-star general. (Read Benjamin Davis, American and Tuskegee Airmen from the archives of Air Force Magazine.)
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.