"Rise Above" Traveling Exhibit Features Two Documentaries About
The Groundbreaking Pilots
By Maxine Scheer
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron has come to
AirVenture to introduce a new educational tool, the Rise Above
Traveling Exhibit. It can be found near the CAF Red Tail Squadron
Booth at the ConocoPhillips Plaza. The initiative includes a
traveling theatre, with a 180 degree screen, housed in a brand new
customized 53 foot trailer with expandable sides that can
comfortably accommodate an audience of 30 people.
The theatre features two films, one 14 minutes and the other 35
minutes, created by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Adam White. The
film was produced to inspire young people with the story of the
Tuskegee Airmen, and provide an experience of flight. The story
focuses on how the Tuskegee Airmen persevered to “rise
above” all of the obstacles they faced as they became
America’s first black military pilots. The story of the
thousands of other black Americans who served with the Airmen as
their support crews is also featured.
The exhibit was designed to be mobile and accompany air shows
that feature the Squadron’s $1 million, restored P-51C
Mustang named Tuskegee Airmen. The Rise Above Exhibit is envisioned
to arrive at a venue, such as schools, community centers, or other
facility so young people can enjoy the experience. “The
airplane is a tool that tells the story” said Doug Rozendaal,
Red Tail’s Project Coordinator. “The exhibit provides
an experience and is more memorable than just a visit to the
airport for an air show.”
The project will invite participants to sign up to social media
venues that provide the opportunity for them to engage in more
discussion about what they learned and stay in touch with the
activities of CAF and other entities involved in the project. At
today’s media brief, Doug described how this fast track
project was conceived in April of this year and funded by a group
associated with CAF called the Texas Flying Legends Museum.
“The paint is fresh on this exhibit and is debuting today,
here at AirVenture,” says Rozendaal. The Rise Above Exhibit
is free and will be at AirVenture through Sunday.
Doug Rozendaal
And in case it eluded your notice, the Commemorative Air
Force’s (CAF) Red Tail Project has changed its name to the
CAF Red Tail Squadron. The volunteer-driven non-profit organization
remains dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and legacy
of the Tuskegee Airmen – America’s first black military
pilots and their support personnel.
The group, which has been in existence since 1993, uses a
restored World War II P-51C Mustang fighter such as the Tuskegee
Airmen flew over Europe as a tool to create interest in the
Airmen’s story. The red-tailed Mustang appears at air shows
from April through October. The CAF Red Tail Squadron is also
outfitting the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit, which will house a
30-seat movie theater with a 180-degree screen. It will travel to
air shows, schools, youth groups and malls where visitors can sit
in climate-controlled comfort to enjoy an experience documentary
about the Tuskegee Airmen created by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker
Adam White.
“Over time the CAF Red Tail Project has evolved into
something larger than a ‘project’- it has become a
group of individuals with a shared vision to tell the story of the
Tuskegee Airmen in such a way that it brings to life their struggle
against adversity,” said CAF President/CEO Stephan Brown.
“The CAF Red Tail Squadron RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and
the P-51C Mustang will tour the country sharing the Tuskegee
Airmen’s achievements through overwhelming adversity to
encourage and inspire today’s children to Rise Above their
own challenges in life.”
The leader of the CAF Red Tail Squadron, Bradford Lang, is also
enthused about the name change. He said, “Our mission has
always been focused on educating people about Tuskegee Airmen. They
were talented and courageous aviators who were fighting the Nazis
in the air and the military’s segregationist policies on the
ground during World War II. The Airmen and their crews painted the
tails of their fighters red and, as they proved their skill and
daring in the skies over Italy and Germany, white bomber pilots
stepped back from their own prejudices and began requesting the
‘red tail angels.’ Adding the word
“Squadron” to our new name reflects the fact that
hundreds of people support our desire to tell the Airmen’s
story by making donations and volunteering.”