CBG Chapter Mission Statement:
1. In the spirit of Captain Claude B. Govan of the 301st Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, now known as the "Tuskegee Airmen", honoring the accomplishments and perpetuating the history of those who participated in the training, support and operations of the Tuskegee Airmen from 1941-1949, as military or civilian personnel.
2. Introducing young people around the world to the fields of aviation, science and technology and, in the spirit of the Airmen, instilling a sense of perseverance in the face of adversity.
3. Providing support and recognition to deserving individuals and organizations who carry on in the spirit of the Tuskegee Airmen, and lend support to the goals and objectives of the Claude B. Govan Chapter and the National Tuskegee Airmen Organization.
CBG CHAPTER NEWS:
The deadline for the Chapter Scholarship has been extended to May 15, 2024.
17-year-old girl becomes one of the youngest licensed Black pilots in the country.
https://nypost.com/2024/03/21/lifestyle/staten-island-teen-becomes-youngest-female-pilot-in-new-york-history/
At just 17 years old, Kamora Freeland has become one of the youngest licensed Black pilots in the country. The Staten Island teen recently passed the exam for her private pilot’s license. “I have a passion for it, and I love it,” she said. Kamora is a member of the Claude B. Govan Tri-State Chapter TAI and a student member of the board. Freeland is a senior at Kingsborough Early College High School. kamora started flying lessons at the age of 15. Freeland is enrolling at Spelman College in the fall. Her next goal is to receive her commercial pilot’s license.
Tuskegee Airman Herbert C. Thorpe Joins Lonely Eagles.
Tuskegee Airman Herbert C. Thorpe died Sunday January 28, 2024. He was 101 years old.
In 1942, Mr. Thorpe enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and attended U.S. Signal Corps School in Troy, NY until the Spring of 1943. Mr. Thorpe began his active duty service at military basic training in June 1943 at Ft. Dix, NJ and Keams Field, Utah. While in Utah, he applied and was accepted for Aviation Cadet School in December 1943. From Utah, he was sent to Keesler Field, Biloxi, MS, in 1944, where he completed altitude testing. In January 1944, he transferred to Aviation Cadet School, at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. After completing Primary Flight School at the Institute, he was transferred to Basic Training Flight School at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) and was selected with others, for Multi-Engine training.
Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator/Bombardier, December 30, 1944, Midland, TX, 2nd Lt Thorpe returned to Tuskegee and began Advanced Flight Training school and qualified as a B-25 (Twin-engine) Pilot at TAAF in October 1945. He remained at TAAF and left the service in August 1946.
“They Knew They Could Fly” . Tuskegee Airmen and their children speak about there Tuskegee experience and the impact on today. A message of perseverance and resolve to us all.
View the videos of CBG's Dabney Montgomery's experiences in Selma, Alabama, and his role in the march at Selma with Dr. Martin Luther King: