Free Resources for Learning About the Tuskegee Airmen

Published:
March 1, 2021

Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa

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Have your children ever heard of the Tuskegee Airmen? These free resources for learning about the Tuskegee Airmen will help your kids explore these amazing men in our country’s history.

Free Resources for Learning About the Tuskegee Airmen text with black and white image of a man

Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of dedicated and determined young men who selflessly volunteered as America’s very first black military airmen in the United States Air Force (previously known as U.S. Army Air Corps (AAC)) services.

This feat was NOT easy. They had to undergo physical and mental qualifications and went through aviation cadet training.

These resilient men were trained to be pilots, navigators, and bombardiers (members of a bomber crew in the US Air Force responsible for aiming and releasing bombs).

Why were they call the Tuskegee Airmen?

These brave men were called Tuskegee Airmen as they were trained at the Tuskegee University.

The Tuskegee Airmen (332nd Fighter Group- the Red Tails) consisted originally of four different squadrons (99th, 100th, 301st, and 302nd).

What Contribution did the Tuskegee Airmen make in US History?

In World War II, the Airmen succeeded in escorting bombers with the lowest record of lives loss . . . ever.

The Airmen played a significant part in the military during World War II, which helped implement social changes including ending racial discrimination in the United States military. The Tuskegee Airmen were the most famous African American soldiers/pilots during this time.

The Airmen were called Red Tails because they painted the tails of their fighter planes . . . red, of course.

The Red Tails set the stage for the integration of all men in the United States Military (1948) and the actual Civil Rights movement in the 1960s.

Free Resources For Learning About The Tuskegee Airmen:

We’ve search the internet to find free resources to help your kids learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen.

Who Are the Tuskegee Airmen?” Free Lesson Plan

The National Park Service has a free Tuskegee Airmen lesson plan available for middle school students in grades 6-8 which includes activities and enrichment ideas.

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Field Trip Option

If you find yourself able to go on a field trip to Alabama be sure to stop by the Tuskegee Airmen National History Site. There you can learn more about these brave men and your kids can earn their junior ranger badge for fee!

If you can’t visit in person, we recommend adding their orientation video “Before Their Tails We’re Red” to any unit study.

19 Additional Tuskegee Airmen Resources

Here are 19 additional resources we’ve found to help you create a unit study about the airmen:

Videos to learn all about the Tuskegee Airmen.

Projects and activities to help your kids learn about the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Tuskegee Airmen played a crucial role in the history of our entire nation.

Free Resources for Learning About the Tuskegee Airmen text with black and white image of a man

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