In 1941 the Army Air Force began training black Americans as military pilots in Alabama at Tuskegee's Moton Field and Tuskegee Army Air Field. They flew escort and combat missions throughout the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, and were collectively known as the Tuskegee Airmen. They flew 200 missions as heavy bomber escort without losing a single bomber to enemy fighter opposition. The 332nd Fighter Group comprised the largest fighter unit in the 15th Air Force.

    Total Missions flown for the 15th Air Force - 311

   "It was a good feeling to see those redtails join our formation."
                                                                        - Zenas Plymale, Engineer