A tearful farewell
A 302nd Fighter Squadron pilot salutes in honor of the flag transfer during a ceremony at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., on March 10, 2007. The 302nd Fighter Squadron, which was activated on Oct. 13, 1942, was originally assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Though still segregated by the Army, white American bomber crews learned to appreciate and respect the Tuskegee Airmen, referring to them as the "Redtail Angels." This reference was due to the identifying red pain on their nose and tail assemblies and their reputation for not losing any bombers to enemy fighters as they provided fighter escort to bombing missions over Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Susan Stout)