We recently wrapped up our 2017 airshow season with the RISE ABOVE: Red Tail tour participating in 30 events from February to November. The year marked an evolution in the educational outreach of the CAF Red Tail Squadron’s important inspirational message, and we look forward to a productive winter at the CAF National Airbase in Dallas before heading out for a full 2018 season of events.
August marked the launch of the new CAF dome theater program in conjunction with the CAF Education team and national CAF RISE ABOVE education initiative. The original film “Rise Above” celebrating the Tuskegee Airmen, shown in the RISE AVOVE Traveling Exhibit mobile movie theater, can now also be featured inside a portable, cost-effective, inflatable dome theater. For the first time, this inspirational message of the Tuskegee Airmen can reach far beyond our annual tour to multiple films shown throughout the country at multiple events during the year. It’s an upgrade to the group’s educational outreach structure that allows for significantly greater opportunities to tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen.
In October, the Virtual Museum was added to our online educational resources to shine a fresh light on the experience of the Tuskegee Airmen. This easily accessible gallery is curated by our internal team but populated with photos and information of items significant to the Tuskegee Airmen provided by supporters that also have an interest in honoring the legacy of these remarkable American figures to ensure their story is not forgotten. The addition of the Virtual Museum further defines redtail.org as the complete resource for all things related to the unique kind of inspiration that comes from learning about the Tuskegee Airmen.
This year, we also expanded our robust support offerings for events that have booked the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and or P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen. This community outreach protocol includes visits to local schools and other community venues before the show or event and pre-event marketing support for airshow producers and event planners, including professional social media tools. We are developing a deeper impact with the communities we visit by helping promote the host event while broadcasting the message of the Tuskegee Airmen to an even wider audience.
Also, we were recognized by the Experimental Aircraft Association with the AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 Service Award for our creative and compelling presence at the event’s KidVenture program. In addition to the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit as a centerpiece of this family-friendly attraction, we brought special guest Tuskegee Airman Harry Stewart to greet and interact with kids at the event, resulting in record attendance numbers.
“We take pride in the positive impact we have on the communities we serve,” said Kristi Younkin, CAF Red Tail Squadron logistics coordinator for the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen. “We maintain a rigorous event schedule to ensure we bring the message of the Tuskegee Airmen to as many new places as possible, and the more we can engage these communities the greater our potential for honoring these important American heroes and inspiring people to rise above their own obstacles.”
Contact Younkin at logistics@redtail.org or (479) 228-4520 to book the CAF Red Tail Squadron for your event. The 2018 schedule is filling up fast, but some spots are still available and reservations can now be made for events in 2019. Attending the International Council of Air Shows annual convention? Stop by booth 223 to learn more about the benefits of including the CAF Red Tail Squadron in your next event.
The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a volunteer-driven 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. Learn more at www.redtail.org.
