CAF Red Tail Squadron

Home
United States
Red Wing, MN
CAF Red Tail Squadron

Visit our Home site- https://cafriseabove.org/

The goal of the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron is to share the inspiring legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, America's first black military pilots and their support personnel. Their strength, courage, and ability to triumph over adversity during WWII can serve to inspire others about how to succeed today.

06/05/2026

Check out this beautiful shot of our P-51C at SUN 'n FUN this year. 🤩 If you're at an event and see our warbird, be sure to tag us in the post. We may just feature it here!

Were you at Sun 'n Fun this year?

📷

06/04/2026

Tuskegee Airman Charles Vernon Brantley was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 1, 1920.

Raised in the historic Ville neighborhood and educated at segregated Sumner High School, Brantley became part of the generation that answered America’s call to serve despite facing discrimination at home. He graduated from Tuskegee Army Air Field with Class 44-E-SE on May 23, 1944, and joined the famed 332nd Fighter Group, the “Red Tails.”

On March 24, 1945, during the longest Fifteenth Air Force es**rt mission of the war, Brantley helped make history over Berlin. Flying a P-51 Mustang alongside fellow Tuskegee Airmen Roscoe C. Brown Jr. and Earl R. Lane, he engaged the German Luftwaffe’s advanced Me 262 jet fighters. Brantley maneuvered behind one of the jets and fired into the cockpit, destroying the aircraft and its ace pilot. The mission marked the only time the 332nd Fighter Group shot down German jets in combat.

The success of that mission earned the 332nd Fighter Group a Distinguished Unit Citation and further proved the skill, courage, and determination of the Tuskegee Airmen.

After World War II, Brantley continued serving his country for more than two decades as a meteorologist. Even after risking his life in combat, he still faced segregation at home, including rejection from the University of Missouri because of his race.

Major Charles Vernon Brantley passed away on June 4, 1970, and his legacy as a Red Tail pilot and trailblazer continues to inspire future generations to RISE ABOVE.

Learn more: https://cafriseabove.org/charles-v-brantley/

06/03/2026

On This Day, June 3, we remember Tuskegee Airman John “Ellis” Edwards, who passed away in 1979.

A native of Steubenville, Ohio, Edwards followed his older brother Jerome into aviation through the Civilian Pilot Training Program at West Virginia State College. Both became part of the pioneering generation of Black military aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

After Jerome was killed in a training accident in 1943, the first fatality of the 332nd Fighter Group, Ellis could have left military service under a hardship discharge. Instead, he chose to remain, honoring his brother’s memory through service.

Assigned to the 301st Fighter Squadron, Edwards flew combat missions from Italy with the 332nd Fighter Group. On April 1, 1945, he shot down two German Me-109 fighters during a bombing and strafing mission, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also received multiple Air Medals and later served again during the Korean War, flying the F-86 Sabre.

The legacy of Jerome and John “Ellis” Edwards endures today, their names forever inscribed on the Western Pennsylvania Tuskegee Airmen Memorial.

Learn more: https://cafriseabove.org/john-ellis-edwards/

06/01/2026

On June 1, 1942 who assumed command of the 99th Fighter Squadron, the first Black officer to command an Army Air Forces squadron? Careful, this is a trick question.

You have a 50/50 shot at getting it right on if you recognize the two men in the photos...

But which one is it?!

05/31/2026

Today, we remember and honor the life of Captain Erwin Bernard Lawrence, one of the first Tuskegee Airmen and a true pioneer in American military aviation.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on this day in 1919, Capt. Lawrence became a pilot during a time when the military doubted whether Black Americans could fly in combat. He proved them wrong — again and again.

Graduating with Class 42-F-SE from Tuskegee Army Air Field, Lawrence joined the legendary 99th Fighter Squadron. He served with distinction across North Africa and Italy, eventually rising to command the squadron in 1944.

He flew nearly 100 combat missions in P-40 Warhawks and P-51 Mustangs, earning multiple Air Medals and a Purple Heart. His leadership was critical during fierce battles like Anzio, where the 99th downed more enemy aircraft than any other unit during a brutal two-day fight.

On October 4, 1944, during a low-level attack on a German-held airfield in Greece, Capt. Lawrence’s plane was seen to spin and crash — likely caught in a cable strung across the field. He was just 25 years old.

Capt. Lawrence is buried at the Florence American Cemetery in Italy. He gave everything — his brilliance, his bravery, and ultimately his life — to a nation that didn’t yet treat him as equal.

We set aside today in his memory.

Learn more: https://cafriseabove.org/erwin-bernard-lawrence/

05/30/2026

The first documented in-flight emergency use of a Martin-Baker ejection seat occurred on May 30, 1949. Test pilot Jo Lancaster was flying the experimental Armstrong Whitworth A.W.52 flying wing when the aircraft experienced severe pitch oscillations during a shallow dive at approximately 320 mph. Recognizing the imminent danger, Lancaster activated the ejection seat, successfully ejecting and parachuting to safety near Long Itchington, Warwickshire. This made Lancaster “Ejectee #1” in the company’s records.

Prior to this, Martin-Baker had conducted extensive testing of their ejection seat designs. On July 24, 1946, company employee Bernard Lynch performed the first live, in-flight test ejection from a modified Gloster Meteor F3 at 8,000 feet and 320 mph.

The successful emergency use of the ejection seat in 1949 validated Martin-Baker’s design and led to widespread adoption of their ejection systems in military aircraft.

Why are we telling you this history? Well, it's simple.

There were several stories of Tuskegee Airmen who were ejected from their aircraft during WWII and we get a lot of pushback when we share these stories.

The difference between the Martin-Baker ejection seat and being ejected from aircraft has to do with intention. Finally, there was a mechanism to expel Airmen from aircraft in an effort to save lives, rather than being forcibly ejected- which could lead to instant death or the potential to be rescued.

📸 Ejection Total Graphic (May 7, 2025) - Martin-Baker Aircraft Co.

05/29/2026

And here we have our photo for the week, courtesy of Lance Kuhn. 🤩 always puts on such a great show!

If you have any shots of our P-51 or traveling exhibit, be sure to share them with us. We'd love to see them and may just feature them here!

05/27/2026

It was in 1942 that Doris Miller became the first Black American to be awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions at Pearl Harbor when Admiral Chester Nimitz pinned the medal to his chest onboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6).

Miller served aboard the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48), which was sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers at Pearl on December 7, 1941. During the attack, he helped several wounded sailors, including the seriously wounded captain of the ship. He also shot down Japanese planes while manning an anti-aircraft machine gun for which he had no training! Miller's actions earned him the medal, and the resulting publicity for Miller in the Black press made him an iconic emblem of the war for Black Americans.

Unfortunately, in November 1943, Miller was killed while serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) when it was sunk by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Makin in the Gilbert Islands.

05/26/2026

We've been so busy this weekend, honoring the intent of and sharing the history, heritage, culture, and experiences of those willing to sacrifice their lives during World War II. Thanks to the support of all of you, we are able to bring programs like our most recent virtual program with DOWEA Yokosuka Middle School to 210 military kids stationed overseas while our exhibit makes its way across the country.

If you know of a school or organization that would benefit from a program like this, please don't hesitate to let us know!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14cfJrnUpM6/

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor the Tuskegee Airmen who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. These brave men were the first Black pilots in U.S. military history, breaking barriers and proving their valor in the skies over Europe and North Africa. Their legacy continues to inspire generations.

Address

PO Box 416
Red Wing, MN
55066

Website

https://cafriseabove.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CAF Red Tail Squadron posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to CAF Red Tail Squadron:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Red Wing?