Our collections and current exhibits

The Tuskegee Airmen

The Tuskegee Airmen set the precedent for African-Americans to excel in military aviation. What began as a shocking idea with many naysayers quickly provided the way for thousands of men and women to serve in combat overseas and in support programs at U.S. bases. The sacrifice, service, and success of the Tuskegee Airmen, many of which were Arizonans, directly contributed to victory in Europe. Thousands left home to serve, many died in combat, and many faced continued prejudice. Yet they flew more than 15,000 sorties, destroyed or damaged more than 400 enemy aircraft, and supported front-line needs from their U.S. bases for the duration.

On Saturday, February 9, 2008, the Arizona Wing opened a new exhibit titled “Triumph Over Adversity.” It’s dedicated to the black pioneers of aviation and to the officers and enlisted personnel of the Tuskegee Airmen who served during WWII. This is in recognition of the positive experience, the outstanding record of accomplishment, and the superb behavior of all black airmen, especially those of the 99th Fighter Squadron, the 322nd Fighter Group, and the 477th Bombardment Group (collectively known as the Tuskegee Airmen) who were important factors in the initiation of social change to achieve racial equality in America. The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Thurston Gaines, an original Tuskegee Airmen and a resident of Glendale, Arizona. Also present as special guests were members of the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

World War One 1914 – 1919

In the 38 days following the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria on June 28, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia and Russia mobilized in support of Serbia which sparked Germany to declare war on Russia to support Austria. This set off a chain of events with 32 nations declaring what was first called the Great War and later called World War One (WWI).

The first World War began as a “Gentleman’s War” for aviators. Officers who called bombing missions “hunting,” saw their roles in the war as more civilized than the terror of the trenches. This can be seen by pilots dropping funeral wreaths, messages and inquiries about their own missing in action.

Aircraft were also used for bombing in the First World War – something that later defined the Second World War. Initially It was only the airships and dirigibles that had the capability to carry a heavy load of bombs. Two exceptions were the Italians and the Russians, who both had remarkable engineers building some of the finest bombers.

While the Armistice was signed in 1918 which ended the actual fighting, the war itself, did not end until June 28, 1919 when the allied powers concluded six months of negotiations at the Paris Peace Conference and signed the Treaty of Versailles.