The crew of the 89th Airlift Wing’s first African American Heritage Flight pose for a photo on the flightline at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. The SAM Fox’s aircrew’s purpose was to celebrate Black history in aviation and the Air Force by flying a mission with an all-Black crew. (U.S Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kentavist P. Brackin)

DIPLOMATIC   TIMES  STAFF REPORT

The crew of the 89th Airlift U.S. Air Force  President’s  Wing celebrated its first African American Heritage Flight at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The historic flight was made last month to observe Black History in aviation and the Air Force.  The trip’s first day included a stop at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. where they met four other African-American aircrews from various wings/bases. The five aircrews were split into enlisted and officer elements to join cross talks about experiences like overcoming adversity, operating in an environment where you’re the ‘only one’ in the room and aircrew techniques and procedures.

“Only 2 percent of Air Force pilots are black. I didn’t meet a black pilot in the Air Force until I was in college and that same pilot encouraged me to fly when I wouldn’t have otherwise. That is why representation is paramount in inspiring young dreamers to take on a career in aviation. We wanted to accomplish great training with the crew, celebrate Black history along our flightpath through American history and show representation in an underrepresented career field.”

-said Maj. Saj El-Amin, a 99th Airlift Squadron pilot and coordinator for the heritage flight.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Saj El-Amin, a 99th Airlift Squadron pilot, speaks to a crowd about 89th Airlift Wing history and recruitng at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. The 89th AW African American Heritage Flight’s first stop of its 3-day training mission was Charleston where they met four other all-Black aircrews from various wings/bases. (U.S Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kentavist P. Brackin)

El-Amin and his team of 15 SAM Fox Airmen flew the wing’s first-ever African-American Heritage Flight for a three-day training mission, Feb. 19 – 21. The crew complement consisted of a variety of flying and support units within the 89th Airlift Wing to include the 99th and 1st Airlift Squadrons.  El-Amin noted the heritage flight was something they always wanted to do, but have not been able to until recently.

“We’ve never had Black Airmen in all of the required crew positions at the same time to conduct this type of celebration,” he said. “This year we did, so we couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.”

Jauhar El-Amin and his son, Saint El-Amin, age 4, checkout a C-37B Gulfstream aircraft during 89th Airlift Wing African American Heritage Flight’s stop at Clearwater, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. The aircrew looked to inspire minority youth by having them engage pilots they could visually identify with during their 3-day training mission. (U.S Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kentavist P. Brackin)

“In my 17 years, until now, I’ve never been in an all African-American aircrew. It felt humbling, exciting and natural to be around such high-speed individuals on the aircrew,” said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Bailey, a 99th AS flight attendant. “Being around so much experience shows you that you can always strive for more.”

Another All-Black aircrew from the 9th Air Refueling Squadron, Travis Air Force Base

An all-Black aircrew from the 9th Air Refueling Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California, poses for a picture in front of a KC-10 Extender after a routine aerial refueling mission Feb. 18, 2021. The purpose of the heritage flight was to honor Black History Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Traci Keller)

Meanwhile, two days earlier on February  18 out on the West Coast,  another all-Black aircrew from the 9th Air Refueling Squadron at Travis Air Force Base in California logged a historic flight to observe Black History Month.  Capt. Christopher Tobiere, 9th Air Refueling Squadron KC-10 Extender instructor pilot, was  aircraft commander of the all-Black heritage flight that took off from Travis Air Force Base.  Tobiere reflected on the challenges he negotiates as a Black Airman in today’s Air Force. 

“Believe it or not, I was uncomfortable with Black History Month about 10 years ago,” Tobiere said. “Being the only Black person 99 percent of the time, I didn’t like the idea of highlighting my struggles. I wanted to stay under the radar and avoid rocking the boat. I let ‘jokes’ slide, even when they made me feel uncomfortable. But as I mature and raise my son, I understand how important it is to highlight Black history in the United States and how it has shaped who we are today.”

After the plane landed,   Tobiere reflected:  “The first black pilots were trained in 1940. Racial segregation wasn’t banned until the 1960s, so when you talk about dedication, perseverance and being resilient, they’re a perfect example. I owe my life to every American who fought and died so that I can be free. That’s a given. But we owe this conversation to the Tuskegee Airmen who fought for a country that didn’t support them and treated them as less than human. That’s why I think it’s important to remember and honor these trailblazers.”