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Black Pilots Earn Respect Three additional black air units–the 100th, 301st, and 302nd Fighter Squadrons–joined the 99th in Italy in 1944 to form the 332nd Fighter Group. The 332nd became known as the Red Tails because of the distinctive tail markings on their aircraft. The Red Tails flew bomber escort missions, strafed enemy positions in support of ground forces, and engaged in air combat as far north as Berlin. During the war, the black fighter squadrons participated in Allied campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Not everyone welcomed the segregated black squadrons, but black airmen soon earned respect through solid achievement. Black military pilots flew more than 15,000 sorties and destroyed 261 enemy aircraft. These skilled black airmen dispelled the myth that blacks could not master the technical skills associated with combat flying. PREVIOUS PAGE | VIEW IMAGES FROM THIS SECTION |
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