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Praetorium Honoris

Saturday, December 6, 2014

The Red Tails, Still Strong, Still Proud

"100th Fighter Squadron patch"
Contributed by Morris Foston II and Air Force ROTC Detachment 015 (The Future Tuskegee Airmen)

Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The 100th FS was one of the Tuskegee Airmen squadrons during World War II, one of the famous all-black squadrons of the 332nd Fighter Group, activated on 19 February 1942 at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. It was returned to duty in 2007 as a replacement of the Alabama ANG 160th Fighter Squadron so the state could honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. (W)
100th Fighter Squadron F-16C block 30 Fighting Falcon 87-0217 and P-51 Mustang - USAF Photo

There I was surfing the Tube of You, as I am always seeking the finest in aircraft videos for you, my awesome readers. There I found the following gem. Vipers, Sierra Hotel airmen and a bit of history all rolled into one excellent video from the folks at US Military Videos & Photos. What more can an aviation enthusiast ask for?

(Beer, beer would be nice. But that's just me.)


After watching this video, I think it's safe to say that Alabama can be proud of its young warriors. I also think that it's safe to assume that these fine Americans have honored their predecessors, the Tuskegee Airmen, in stellar fashion.

State Flag of Alabama

Ladies and gentlemen, the Red Tails of the 100th Fighter Squadron, Alabama Air National Guard.

8 comments:

  1. That WAS a great video; we loves us a unit that honors their traditions and heritage. That said, one of my take-aways after watching this is the fighter pilots in my war had MUCH better 'staches, by an order of magnitude or greater. Nice try, Lefty... but no cigar.

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    1. Can't blame the pilots for the weak mustaches, have to blame the generals. Particularly those who hated Robin Olds.

      I had a mustache for a while on Okinawa, but every time I saw myself in the mirror I thought I looked like a balding Hitler. So I shaved it off.

      I suppose I could grow a nice one now, but most of my facial hair is grey. So that's not gonna happen. (Not to mention which The Missus Herself doesn't care for the mustachioed look. Not at all...)

      Delete
    2. I've had a 'stache for nearly 40 years now. My wife and daughters have never seen me without it. It now has a fair amount of grey but it blends with the blond. Tried to grow a beard while on an extended work-up cruise back in '81 but had too many holes.

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    3. You do have a great 'stache. Just never worked for me.

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    4. ...I thought I looked like a balding Hitler.

      I knew a LOT of guys that looked like ol Adolph back in the day. As for me, I was always getting my ass in a sling for not keeping my mustache within the boundaries of 35-10. I've worn my mustache since 1966, with the exception of a couple of very, very rare periods when I shaved it off just to see what my upper lip looked like. I put it back on immediately.

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    5. Heh. I understand that, indeed I do!

      Delete
  2. Oops, didn't mean to steal your post... I've had my 'stache since 1974...

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    Replies
    1. Heh. Men with similar tastes for the finer things in life will, no doubt, from time to time post the same material.

      It's inevitable.

      (Your mustache is older than some of the people I work with! Not that that's a bad thing.)

      Delete

Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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