Photo essay: Tuskegee Airmen Published Feb. 11, 2013 Defense Media Activity FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- The Tuskegee Airmen were an elite group of African-American pilots in the 1940s. They were pioneers in equality and integration of the armed forces. The term "Tuskegee Airmen" refers to all who were involved in the Army Air Corps program to train African-Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. View the slideshow below to see a snapshot of the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. View slideshow