Trump’s DEI Ban Removes Black History About Tuskegee Airmen from Air Force Training

Nationwide — The U.S. Air Force has removed lessons on the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) from its training programs following President Donald Trump’s order to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the U.S. government.

The decision, confirmed by the Air Force, eliminates references to the Tuskegee Airmen — Black pilots, mechanics, and support staff who served during World War II — from basic training. The WASPs, female pilots who contributed to the war effort, have also been removed from the lessons.

The Tuskegee Airmen, who trained at Moton Field in Alabama, flew more than 15,000 combat sorties and played a key role in desegregating the armed forces after President Harry Truman’s 1948 Executive Order. Their accomplishments included destroying over 100 German aircraft, which were significant to U.S. military history.

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. expressed strong opposition to the removal, emphasizing that the soldiers are “an essential part of American history and carried significant weight.” The group urged President Trump and the Secretary of Defense to reverse the decision.

“We believe the content of these courses does not promote one category of service member or citizen over another,” the group said in a statement, according to USA Today. “They are simply a part of American military history that all service members should be made aware of.”

“As a nonprofit organization, we are required to remain apolitical. The opinions we express today reflect our values as a military heritage organization, committed to telling a full and accurate history of all service members of World War II, regardless of race, gender or national origin.”