Secretary of the Air Force inducted into historic pilots organization
Monday, Aug. 23, 1999 | 4:41 a.m.
The Tuskegee Airmen have inducted Secretary of the Air Force Whitten Peters into the organization as an honorary member.
The World War II fighter pilots' organization Monday presented Peters with a red jacket, the symbol of the distinctive red tail assemblies on the planes they flew.
The Tuskegee Airmen were black fighter pilots who distinguished themselves in combat over the skies of North Africa and Europe.
During his speech to the organization, Peters emphasized mentorship and education as a vital component in the careers of all Air Force personnel, regardless of race.
The group's annual five-day convention ends Thursday.
Attending are some 3,000 active and retired military personnel, former and present-day aviators and veterans who battled the German and Italian air forces during World War II.
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