CAF Red Tail Squadron Announces Spring Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron, America’s tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, today announced their RISE ABOVE Red Tail spring schedule of outreach events that will take them to several spots in the eastern U.S., before their tour heads across the country in the summer and fall. Their mission is to educate audiences everywhere about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen – America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel – and each event is a platform to share this inspirational message.

Although the P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen will most likely not be on tour the remainder of the year after an incident earlier in February, the CAF Red Tail Squadron, along with support from other CAF aircraft and Mustang operators, will maintain their full schedule of events with their RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit. This mobile panoramic movie theater features the original film “Rise Above,” an immersive experience that creates the feeling of being in the cockpit and soaring above the clouds in a P-51C. It is a visually compelling and exciting way to learn about the Tuskegee Airmen’s triumph over adversity.

The spring 2016 event schedule includes:

Dallas – until February 17
CAF National Airbase

Tallahassee, Fla. – February 22-27
Tallahassee Airport

Sarasota, Fla. – March 2-6
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
With the CAF AirPower History Tour

Titusville, Fla. – March 11-13
TICO Warbird Airshow

Tampa, Fla. – March 19-20
Tampa Bay AirFest

Miami, Fla. – March 24-27
Wings Over Miami Air Museum

Lakeland, Fla. – April 5-10
SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In

Alcoa, Tenn. – April 16-17
Smoky Mountain Air Show

Clinton, Tenn. – April 19-20
Green McAdoo Cultural Center

Oak Ridge, Tenn. – April 22-23
Museum of Science and Energy

Cherry Point, N.C. – April 30-May 1
MCAS Cherry Point Air Show

Lynchburg, Va. – May 21-22
Lynchburg Regional Airshow

Reading, Pa. – June 3-5
Mid Atlantic Air Museum WWII Weekend

Greenfield, Ind. – June 17-18
CAF Warbird Expo

Events are subject to change, and more are being added. For updated and detailed information, visit the group’s calendar at redtail.org/calendar. Entrance to the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is always free, although tickets may be required for entry to individual events.

While on tour, the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit makes additional visits to area schools where students are encouraged to think critically about the group’s Six Guiding Principles – Aim High, Believe In Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready To Go, Never Quit and Expect to Win. Contact Marvona Welsh, logistics coordinator, at marvona@redtail.org or (812) 240-2560 for information on how to bring your school, group or community organization to be inspired by the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Individuals, businesses, community organizations and foundations that are interested in supporting the CAF Red Tail Squadron’s mission can learn more about sponsorship opportunities by contacting LaVone Kay, marketing director, at info@redtail.org or (888) 928-0188. One-time or recurring donations can be made securely online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/crts or sent to: CAF Red Tail Squadron, 971 Hallstrom Drive, Red Wing, MN 55066.

About the CAF Red Tail Squadron
The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization dedicated to educating audiences across the country about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel. RISE ABOVE Red Tail, their three-fold outreach program, includes a fully restored WWII-era P-51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen; the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit 53’ mobile theater featuring the original panoramic film “Rise Above”; and resource materials for teachers and youth leaders. Each year, they embark on a nine-month cross-country tour that includes appearances at air shows, schools, museums and community events. The group’s Six Guiding Principles – Aim High, Believe In Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready To Go, Never Quit and Expect to Win – serve as the foundation for their outreach programs and are based on the experiences and successes of the Tuskegee Airmen. The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization part of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). Learn more at www.redtail.org.

About the Commemorative Air Force
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) honors the men and women who built, maintained and flew in these airplanes during World War II. The organization believes that is best accomplished by maintaining the airplanes in flying condition; taking the airplanes to the people allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight. Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 13,000 members and a fleet of over 165 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 79 units located in 25 states for care and operation. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.