LI's American Airpower Museum To Remember Tuskegee Airmen For Black History Month

FARMINGDALE, NY — The American Airpower Museum is set to honor the memory of the Tuskegee Airmen and the men of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, also known as the "Triple Nickels," at an event scheduled for 11 a.m. Feb. 24. The event is meant to celebrate Black History Month, a museum spokesman said.

On Feb. 18, 1944, 16 soldiers from the 555th graduated training to become the first Black paratroopers, the museum stated. On Feb. 24, the museum will dedicate a new exhibit honoring the "Triple Nickels."

AAM volunteer and Airborne Living Historian Nick Casseus is set to give a talk about the "Triple Nickels." He will unveil the museum’s new exhibit, a life-like mannequin of a Triple Nickel "Smoke Jumper."

In 1944, the Triple Nickels became the first line of firefighting, parachuting from C-47s to
attack blazes in the Pacific Northwest started by Japanese incendiary balloons. The Tuskegee Airmen were skilled African American pilots, whose success in their Mustang fighters, defending B-17’s against Nazi Luftwaffe Messerschmitt’s, persuaded President Harry S. Truman to
desegregate the military after World War II.

Reynard Burns, a public relations officer for the Claude B. Govan Tri- State Tuskegee Airmen Chapter, will give a presentation about the Airmen and answer audience questions.

On Jan. 11, 2001, the American Airpower Museum dedicated one of the first ever permanent exhibits honoring the Tuskegee Airmen’s 332nd Fighter Group. Former NYS Governor George Pataki and a dozen surviving Tuskegee Airmen, including Roscoe Brown, Lee Archer and William Wheeler, gathered under a full-size replica of Archer’s P-51D Mustang Fighter for the dedication.

This replica is still suspended from AAM’s Hangar 3 to this day. AAM also has a real Mustang, which flies at the Jones Beach Air Show and other events.

In honor of the Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group, AAM will have two free screenings of the 2012 movie "Red Tails" with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrance Howard. Admission includes reserved seating.

The first screening is slated for 11:30 a.m. and the second at 1:45 p.m. Refreshments and snacks are available.

Regular admission for adults is $15; $12 for seniors/veterans $12; and $10 for children ages 5-13.

The American Airpower Museum is at 1230 New Highway, Republic Airport, Farmingdale.