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Reserve honors Tuskegee Airmen at activation ceremony

By Tech. Sgt. Susan Stout, 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published October 09, 2007

Col. Eric Overturf, 477th Fighter Group commander, takes the guidon from Lt. Gen. John Bradley, Air Force Reserve Command commander, during the 477th FG activation ceremony Oct. 2 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The guidon was passed from Lt. Col. (ret) James Warren (right) to Colonel Overturf during the historic event. The 477th FG and its squadrons are now the first and only Reserve F-22 Raptor unit in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Susan Stout)
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Col. Eric Overturf, 477th Fighter Group commander, takes the guidon from Lt. Gen. John Bradley, Air Force Reserve Command commander, during the 477th FG activation ceremony Oct. 2 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The guidon was passed from Lt. Col. (ret) James Warren (right) to Colonel Overturf during the historic event. The 477th FG and its squadrons are now the first and only Reserve F-22 Raptor unit in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Susan Stout)

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Five Original Tuskegee Airmen traveled from all over the country to witness the standing up of the 477th Fighter Group activation ceremony Oct. 2 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. 

The 477th was originally established as the 477th Bombardment Group in May 1943 to train bomber crews in the B-25. At that time, the 477th suffered problems stemming from segregation. 

In his speech, Lt. Col. (ret) James Warren likened the new 477th Fighter Group as a frog that has turned into a prince. 

"It was like its parents didn't want the 477th to live," he said in reference to the racial discrimination the group faced. 

As an officer in the 477th Bombardment Group, Colonel Warren was one of the first 19 arrested during the "Freeman Field Mutiny" of 1945; 162 black officers were arrested for demanding lawful entry into the white officer's club at Freeman Field, Ind. 

"The 477th will now have the chance to get all the accolades it deserves," Colonel Warren said. 

Having served in the Air Force for 40 years, Lt. Gen. John Bradley, Air Force Reserve Command commander, expressed his excitement for the future of the 477th Fighter Group. 

"The 477th will have a long history," he said. "It's taken us a long time to get this airplane (F-22). We're going to fly this, I believe, for the next 50, 60, 70 years. I am so proud that (the Air Force Reserve Command) can carry on the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen." 

For Col. (ret) Charles McGee, seeing the 477th stand up as an F-22 unit is very rewarding. A member of the 302nd Fighter Squadron during World War II, Colonel McGee attended the activation ceremony at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., when the 302nd FS stood up with brand new F-16s. 

"To still be able to come here and see the performance of the F-22 is thrilling," said the 30-year veteran. 

Colonel McGee holds the Air Force record for the most missions in three conflicts with more than 1,150 combat hours. At the banquet concluding the activation events, Colonel McGee told of being able to get a flight in the F-16s at Luke when the 302nd FS stood up in 1987. 

"When do I get my flight in the F-22," Colonel McGee asked. Then, with a smile, he said, "I will always be with you all in spirit."