News United States Air Force
 Air Force honors 100th Bomb Group's legacy with 'Masters of the Air' special screeningPublished Jan. 31, 2024
                        
                        By Senior Airman Bridgitte Taylor
                        
                        
                        316th Wing Public Affairs
                **JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) --**
                Joint Base Andrews hosted the cast and creative team of AppleTV+’s “Masters of the Air,” along with World War II veterans, Department of the Air Force senior leaders, and service members for a reception and special screening of the series’ first episode, Jan. 27.

Based on Donald Miller’s 2007 book of the same title, “Masters of the Air” follows Airmen of the Eighth Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group, commonly referred to as the “Bloody Hundredth,” as they conduct bombing raids over Nazi-occupied Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions and lack of oxygen during combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air.03:32
    
    

    
    
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            Joint Base Andrews hosts a special screening of the Apple TV original "Masters of the Air", Jan. 27, 2024. The showing was preceded by a reception with remarks from the Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Retired Maj. John Luckadoo, who is a WWII 100th Bomber Group veteran and movie producer Kirk Saduski. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Isaac March and Staff Sgt. Alex Broome)





**Frank Kendall** expressed his gratitude to everyone for taking part in this historic event at Joint Base Andrews, especially noting the three senior living B-17 Eighth Air Force officers in the room, as well as Tuskegee Airmen and other WWII veterans and family members.
 
“We got a lot of great participation today,” Kendall said. “We’re extremely grateful to have our veterans here today. These men fought in the most difficult air environment in history. They built a legacy that our current Airmen and **Guardians** hope to live up to every single day.”
 
Retired Air Force Maj. John “Lucky” Luckadoo shared his own moment of recollection. After serving in WWII as a B-17 pilot in the 100th BG, he flew a total of 25 combat missions earning multiple honors, including the **Distinguished Flying Cross** presented to recipients for acts of heroism while in aerial flight.
 
“I cannot tell you what a privilege it is to be in the august (dignified) company of brass,” said Luckadoo, the 101-year-old who remains active in WWII remembrance events today. “I was extremely fortunate to have been a member that is being memorialized in the film that you’ll be seeing, "The Masters of the Air." It’s indeed an honor and a privilege, to be here - actually, it’s an honor to be anywhere!”
 
The Air Force’s top leaders attended the reception and screening, such as Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen. David W. Allvin**, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force **JoAnne S. Bass** and commanders of Air Force major commands around the globe. Airmen of all ranks were also afforded the opportunity to experience the special screening.
Two men stand by one another taking turns signing a poster.U.S. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife, left, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, sign a poster during a "Masters of the Air" reception at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 27, 2024. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass and Gary Goetzman, Executive Producer of “Masters of the Air” also attended the reception to meet with World War II veterans, distinguished guests, and service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Pate)
            
            
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    Retired Sgt. Thomas Newton, a Tuskegee Airman, receives a standing ovation during a “Masters of the Air” special screening at Joint Base Andrews, Md.Retired Sgt. Thomas Newton, left, a Tuskegee Airman, receives a standing ovation during a “Masters of the Air” special screening at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 27, 2024. Attendees of the event included service members and families, Department of the Air Force senior leaders, World War II veterans, and the cast and creative team of the AppleTV+ series. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Pate)
            
            
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    Three men speak together outside.U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander, center, speaks with retired U.S. Air Force Maj. John “Lucky” Luckadoo before a “Masters of the Air” special screening at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 27, 2024. The series follows the actions of the 100th Bomb Group, of which Luckadoo served as a B-17 pilot and copilot with 25 combat missions during World War II. (U.S.
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“I thought the ‘Masters of the Air’ show was outstanding,” said Senior Airman Ernst Motte, audience member of the special screening with the 1st Helicopter Squadron Aviation Resource Management office at JB Andrews. “It was really great to meet all the cast members and a couple of the retired WWII pilots. The film really spoke to the severity of the war and made me really proud of our history.”
 
Kirk Saduski, Playtone producer and executive, closed the evening by addressing WWII veterans and active service members in the crowd.
 
“It is too awful to contemplate a world in which the Allies didn’t win WWII,” said Saduski, who previously worked as executive-in-charge of the HBO series of “Band of Brothers” and co-producer of “The Pacific.”
 
“It is impossible to conceive of an Allied victory without the United States Air Force in Europe, and the Pacific, and the CBI (China-Burma-India) Theater,” Saduski said. “We draw the applause of the crowd. You earn the affection and admiration of our country. In the name of Playtone, Apple, and, if I may, our country – thank you.”
 ****The appearance of Department of Defense personnel does not imply endorsement by the DoD, nor the Department of the Air Force.***Masters of the Air 



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