Tuskegee Airmen legacy lives on: Decision to remove Black WWII pilots’ history from Air Force training reversed

(CNN) – ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) – When President Donald Trump enacted a diversity, equity and inclusion ban last week, a piece of history was eliminated from U.S. Air Force training.The Tuskegee Airmen were the nation’s first Black military pilots who served in World War II.Related Stories Under Trump’s DEI ban, lesson plans about the Tuskegee Airmen, including the women Air Force service pilots, would no longer be part of the U.S. Air Force training courses.However, following public backlash, that decision was reversed.Montoria “Toby” Hubbard is the president of Central Florida’s General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc.It’s named after America’s first Black four-star general, who was from Pensacola.“I was both surprised but extremely disappointed,” said Hubbard about the initial ban. “So many folk are going to be disappointed, and we’re hoping that someone will change our president’s mind,” Hubbard said.Tuskegee Airmen – Circa May 1942 to Aug 1943 Location unknown, likely Southern Italy or North Africa – Photo courtesy of WikimediaThe Tuskegee Airmen were the nation’s first Black military pilots. They served in a segregated unit during World War II and completed over 1,500 missions.Only a few of these heroes are still alive today, including at...