301 FW honors Tuskegee Airman Sept. 12

  • Published
  • By Capt. Candice Allen
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas --  Two 301st Fighter Wing F-16s took to the skies over Carrollton, Texas, Sept. 12 to honor a trailblazer.

Lt. Calvin Spann, a Tuskegee Airman, passed away Sept. 6 at age 90. Fighter jets performed the flyover and honored the hero at his funeral six days later.

Spann, a fighter pilot during World War II, flew the P-51 Mustang with the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, commonly known as the Red Tails.  The Tuskegee Airman flew 26 combat missions over Europe and participated in a 15th Air Force record 1,600-mile, round-trip bomber escort mission on March 24, 1945. During that mission, his wingman was the first Tuskegee Airman to shoot down a German ME-262 jet fighter.

"As a fighter pilot, it is truly an honor to pay tribute to Lt. Spann, a true trailblazer," said Col. Robert Buchanan, 301st Fighter Wing vice commander. 

Three Air Force Reserve fighter units can trace its roots to the Tuskegee Airman legacy, to include the 301st Fighter Wing. Its very own geographically-separated 301st Fighter Squadron, 44th Fighter Group, is located at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The original 301 FS was one of four African-American fighter squadrons to enter combat in World War II. They engaged in various missions to include harbor protection, convoy escort and armed reconnaissance.

"It's really great to be in a squadron that has such an immediately recognizable legacy," said Lt. Col. Andrew Lyons, former 301 FS commander. "We're really proud we get to carry on the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. It's an amazing Air Force tradition."

Lt. Spann has opened the door for many to follow of all races. As we mourn the passing of the Tuskegee trailblazer, we will celebrate the opened door and continue to fly the colors of the legacy proudly.