ABOUT GPCTAI PHILADELPHIA

Greater Philadelphia Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI) is a 501c3, non-profit national organization existing primarily to motivate and inspire young Americans to become participants in our nation’s society and its democratic process. It also supports young men and women pursuing excellence, paying special attention to those interested in careers in aviation, technology and aerospace.

TAI is dedicated to keeping alive the history, achievements and importance of the original Tuskegee Airmen. The term Tuskegee Airmen refers to the men and women, African-Americans and Caucasians, who were involved in the so-called Tuskegee Experience, The Army Air Corps program to train African-Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft.

The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, radio operators, navigators, bombardiers, aircraft maintenance, support staff, instructors, and all the personnel at TAAF (Tuskegee Army Air Field) and other designated units or locations who kept the planes in the air until inactivation of the of the 332nd Fighter Wing at Lockbourne Army Air Base (later designated Lockbourne Air Force Base) in 1949.

​

When the 332nd Fighter Wing and its group and squadrons were inactivated in 1949, their personnel were assigned to other, formerly all-white, units. This resulted in the desegregation of the Air Force.