NEWS & EVENTS
The Tuskegee Airmen Symposium Held
At Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor
Sunday, January 15
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the African-American aviators of WWII, The Tuskegee Airmen Symposium was held at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on Sunday, January 15, 2012. The Symposium screened George Lucas' documentary on the Tuskegee Airmen, "Double Victory." This was an exclusive showing in Hawaii. Lucas provided the documentary to the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., as the Airmen were so instrumental in helping him produce his new film, "Red Tails" which releases nationwide on January 20.
The event was free to Museum members and was also included in the price of regular admission for other Museum visitors.
Narrated by Cuba Gooding, Jr. and utilizing footage from the new "Red Tails" feature film, "Double Victory" tells of the Tuskegee Airmen fighting a war on two fronts—in the air against fascism in Europe and at home against racism and discrimination. The documentary was screened at 2pm, followed by a panel presentation. Speakers were Dr. Dorothy Goldsborough, University of Hawaii professor and wife of one of the original Tuskegee Airman now living in Hawaii--Romaine H. Goldsborough; another original Tuskegee Airman Phillip Baham who lives in Hawaii; and LtCol Brian Hill, the Commander of the 96th Air Refueling Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. MSgt Chandra Mark, president of the newly formed TAI Hawaii organization also gave updates on the Hawaii chapter, the Artis-Baham-Goldsborough Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
A meet and greet followed the Symposium, in the Gallery of Hangar 37.
The Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II, were the first African American military aviators in the United States military. Initially equipped with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, the group also flew Bell P-39 Airacobras, Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, and North American P-51 Mustangs—on which they painted their famous "Red Tails."
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is open 9am to 5pm daily and is accessed by air-conditioned shuttle buses from the Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor Visitor Center parking area. For general information, phone 808-441-1000.
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization which is dependent on its members, volunteers, and donors for support.
