Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Tuskegee Airmen Heritage FlightFairfield to the front lines: Honoring Air Force heritage
                        
                        
                        Airmen assigned to the 22nd Airlift Squadron and the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron take a group photo during a Tuskegee Airmen heritage flight at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2018. An all-black C-5M crew conducted the mission that displayed pride in their heritage and showcased their ability to conduct rapid global mobility in today’s Air Force by delivering Army equipment and supplies to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Airmen from the 22nd Airlift Squadron offload from a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft during a Tuskegee Airmen heritage flight at Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, Texas, Feb. 23, 2018. The flight consisted of an all-black C-5M crew that completed the mission, displayed pride in their heritage and showcased their ability to conduct rapid global mobility in today’s Air Force by delivering U.S. Army helicopters to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)Fairfield to the front lines: Honoring Air Force heritage
                        
                        
                        Airmen from the 22nd Airlift Squadron offload from a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft during a Tuskegee Airmen heritage flight at Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, Texas, Feb. 23, 2018. The flight consisted of an all-black C-5M crew that completed the mission, displayed pride in their heritage and showcased their ability to conduct rapid global mobility in today’s Air Force by delivering Army helicopters to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Tuskegee Airmen Heritage FlightFairfield to the front lines: Honoring Air Force heritage
                        
                        
                        1st Lt. David Brown, 22nd Airlift Squadron C-5M Super Galaxy pilot, conducts a post-flight shutdown during a Tuskegee Airmen heritage flight at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 27, 2018. The flight consisted of an all-black C-5M crew who conducted the mission that displayed pride in their heritage and showcased their ability to conduct rapid global mobility in today’s Air Force by delivering Army equipment and passengers to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Tuskegee Airmen Heritage FlightFairfield to the front lines: Honoring Air Force heritage
                        
                        
                        1st Lt. David Brown, 22nd Airlift Squadron C-5M Super Galaxy pilot, talks with other flight crew members during a fueling stop as part of a Tuskegee Airmen heritage flight at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, New Hampshire, Feb. 25, 2018. The flight consisted of an all black C-5M crew who conducted the mission that displayed pride in their heritage and showcased their ability to conduct rapid global mobility in today’s Air Force by delivering Army equipment and passengers to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Tuskegee Airmen Heritage FlightFairfield to the front lines: Honoring Air Force heritage
                        
                        
                        Maj. Calford Morris, left, 1st Lt. David Brown and Capt. Dariel Baker, all 22nd Airlift Squadron C-5M Super Galaxy pilots, walk on the flight line during a Tuskegee Airmen heritage flight at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2018. An all-black C-5M crew conducted the mission that displayed pride in their heritage and showcased their ability to conduct rapid global mobility in today’s Air Force by delivering Army helicopters to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Tuskegee Airmen Heritage FlightFairfield to the front lines: Honoring Air Force heritage
                        
                        
                        Senior Airman Lauren Foote, 22nd Airlift Squadron loadmaster, loads a pallet onto a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft during a Tuskegee Airmen heritage flight at the Robert Gray Army Airfield in Killeen, Texas, Feb. 25, 2018. The flight consisted of an all-black C-5M crew who conducted the mission that displayed pride in their heritage and showcased their ability to conduct rapid global mobility in Air Force by delivering Army equipment and passengers to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Fairfield to the front lines: Honoring Air Force heritagePublished March 7, 2018
                    
                    By Master Sgt. Joey Swafford
                    
                    
                    60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
            **TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) --**On an average day, 25 mobility aircraft depart Travis Air Force Base, California, the busiest aerial port on the West Coast. Situated outside of Fairfield, its aircraft depart for destinations around the world, and from Feb. 23 to 28, 2018, one of those aircraft had something unique about it.The aircraft was a C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to the 22nd Airlift Squadron, and its 11-person crew was all African-American. This historic mission was created to honor the heritage of the Tuskegee Airmen and to showcase the capability of Travis AFB to deliver cargo from the U.S. to the front lines in Afghanistan.The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. They proved that African-Americans could fly and maintain sophisticated combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen’s achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military, according to Tuskegeeairmen.org.“I feel extremely honored and thankful to be a part of this crew,” said Capt. Dariel Baker, 22nd AS C-5M pilot. “The Tuskegee Airmen and many others fought hard to establish a place for African-Americans in aviation. They suffered through discrimination in a time where support for African-Americans in aviation was not high, so I have a lot of respect for them enduring the hardships to pave the way for me and those after me.”This flight was historic since it was the first time an all African-American C-5M crew was formed to honor the heritage of the Tuskegee Airmen and highlight the diversity of the Air Force.“It is important that the Air Force is diverse enough to have an all African-American crew because it shows how far the Air Force has come in relation to diversity and acceptance,” said Baker. “While we still have farther to go, it is a significant milestone that should be shared as it generates pride not only for those involved, but for everyone who is happy to see our progress as an Air Force.”The capability to have an all African-American crew shows the Air Force is capable of creating an environment where people can come from any background or way of life and contribute to the mission, said Senior Airman Mikkah Marcellus, 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-5M flying crew chief.“Having such a diverse Air Force allows us to continue to evolve and come up with new ideas from many different points of view,” said Marcellus.Not only did the mission honor Air Force heritage, it showcased how Air Mobility Command aircraft provide rapid global mobility by delivering 82,000 pounds of Army cargo to Afghanistan.“In Air Mobility Command we are always ready to deliver,” said Tech. Sgt. Meco Morales, 22nd AS C-5M flight engineer. “As individuals, its our responsibility to maintain our currency and readiness. This mission was only possible because we were prepared and ready not only to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, but to serve our great nation and support our brothers and sisters in harm's way.”The capability to deliver anywhere around the world at any time is a reality due to a team effort by Travis AFB Airmen.“We wouldn't get out of the home station without the maintainers doing their best to keep the aircraft operating or life support providing working gear and equipment,” said Baker. “There are many agencies crucial to helping us get the mission done and being on the same page is vital to completing the mission.”The crew was motivated knowing that its cargo would go from the U.S. and the next day, it would be on the front lines in Afghanistan supporting the warfighters.“It’s a feeling of accomplishment and pride,” said Morales. “When you see your cargo load, it motivates you. From delivering Navy Seals, tanks, helicopters and bombs, you know that people are counting on you and you don't want to let them down.”“It amazes me every time we fly how we can rapidly bring anything directly to the warfighters on the frontline that they might need when it could take weeks or longer by any other means,” said Baker.Throughout the six-day trip, the crew was taken aback by all the support it received on social media and also from the ground crews at the different stops.“For me, the highlight of this mission was seeing the amount of support from not only the African-American community, but also other peers at all our different stops,” said Baker. “Not only did the crew seem to have added pride, but so did multiple support agencies on the road. There was genuine excitement from people just wanting to witness a little bit of history, even if they weren't a part of the crew. The crew has been honored to see the joy we could bring to others.”“It was humbling to have people that wanted to take pictures with us,” said Marcellus. “How excited they were opened my eyes to how much something like this mission can impact others and even myself, for that matter.”While most on social media were supportive of the heritage flight and the 11 Airmen, there were some who didn’t understand the importance of what the crew was accomplishing and how it highlighted diversity in the Air Force.“I think the only obstacle we somewhat ran into was on social media where people had made negative comments about what we were doing,” said Marcellus. “We talked about it as a crew and just let each other know we had each other's backs and the people supporting us outweighed the people being negative.”To make the crew work, they needed to de-conflict schedules and the team had the full support of its leadership at Travis AFB.“Fortunately, we have great leadership in the 22nd AS and a culture of acceptance," said Baker. “This year is the first time we had enough people to generate a fully augmented crew, which is necessary for a combat mission. The barriers to making this happen were just coordinating a time when everyone could be available between other training events, leave and other obligations.”Through the successful six-day mission, the crew hopes it made a lasting impact on others.“I hope to help inspire future generations of aviators,” said Baker. “I hope that they see that it doesn't have to be a dream to be an African-American in aviation because they can see someone that looks like them doing it.”“I believe in the phrase that ‘someone is always watching,' and with that, I strive to represent myself and the Air Force in a positive image,” said Morales.He went on to add that he had his young son and nephews watching him. Morales wants them and any other young child to know they can do anything they want regardless of race or sex. Just put their mind to it. If they fall, get back up and understand that there is a failure before success never give up.Even though this C-5M crew wears flight suits, not capes or masks, they have provided hope to a future generation of aviators and are real-life superheroes.heritage 



Air Force 



Afghanistan 



history 



Air Mobility Command 



World War II 



AMC 



AF 



cargo 



Tuskegee Airmen 



C-5M 



Super Galaxy 



Air Force Base 



22nd AS 



60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 



22nd Airlift Squadron 



60th AMXS 



Travis AFB Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF, CSAF, CMSAF begin Indo-Pacific trip focused on ACE
                    
                    DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fightInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil