2 Tuskegee Airmen visit Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Herard
  • Rodeo 2009 Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNS) --  Two of the famous Tuskegee Airmen visited the Air Mobility Rodeo's opening ceremonies here July 19 to meet with competitors and share their stories.

Retired Lt. Cols. Edward Drummond Jr. and Bill Holloman both spent time at McChord Air Force Base while in the service, and both now live in the surrounding area.  For them, Rodeo isn't just a competition; it's a reminder of how things are progressing in the Air Force.

"It's exciting and I am impressed to see people from so many countries and everything is integrated," Colonel Drummond said. "Everyone here is so nice and there doesn't seem to be any prejudices." 

Colonel Drummond explained that he was one of the youngest Tuskegee Airmen when he graduated in June of 1946. At the time, African Americans could only be stationed at Tuskegee Army Airfield, Ala., or Lockbourne Air Base, Ohio. He was sent to the latter where he flew B-25s and P-47s.

"I'm from the ancient days where everything was propeller planes," he said. "Now everything uses jet power."

Although the military became integrated in July 1948, Colonel Drummond did not move to an integrated base until June 1949 when he was assigned to the 49th Fighter Group at Misawa Air Base, Japan, as a P-80 pilot. During the Korean War, he was one of the first two African American fighter pilots to fly in combat. Overall, he flew 104 combat missions in Korea.

The Pennsylvania native was stationed here in 1965 and decided McChord AFB was the best place to be compared to his other duty stations.

"McChord AFB used to be an Air Defense Command base and the 62nd (Airlift Wing) was just a tenant," he said. "It is the best base to be assigned to; the people are like a big family." 

Colonel Drummond did a tour in Vietnam and Europe before retiring after 25 years of military service. He compared Rodeo to all his years of traveling in the military.

"When I would go from the United States to England, I would take my kids and they'd learn about the English. Then we moved to France and then Japan and they were exposed to people of other countries," he said. "Regardless of the language you speak, we are all here to maintain freedom and democracy. We can establish common methods of getting things done which is a great contribution to civilization to reach common goals." 

Colonel Drummond also sees gratitude when he sees Rodeo.

"I think we have arrived at a point of appreciation on the significance that we, as Tuskegee Airmen, had when I see young folks of all races and grades ... even women," he said. "It makes me happy to have had some influence in that we were doing what they thought we weren't supposed to. Now, military service opportunities are available to everyone." 

Colonel Holloman, the other Tuskegee Airmen to visit Rodeo, was equally impressed with the event.

"I think any Air Force competition is good because it sharpens people up," he said. They work harder because they want to come here. Those who do come here gain a lot. It also builds teamwork."

The colonel said he wished there were more competitions like Rodeo, saying they enhance networking among Airmen.

As a fighter pilot, Colonel Holloman began with P-51s then moved on to P-47s after World War II. He was also the first African American helicopter pilot in the Air Force. In 1958, he joined the Reserves while working as a commercial pilot.

"The Guard and Reserve are so much better these days, they have made it so it mirrors active duty now," he said. 

Then Vietnam prompted the colonel  to return to service. This time with the Army, where Colonel Holloman served five years and retired. Like Colonel Drummond, the St. Louis native was stationed at McChord AFB and decided to make the area his home.

"The Air Force is more casual now with the uniforms," he said. "We used to not be able to go off base with them. We couldn't even go to the club after work with our flight suits. You had to be in Class A's or civilian clothes. Now, people go in town or travel with them."

"Computers are another thing," he added. "I saw my first computer during my last three years in the Army when I was commissary commander in Germany. We used them for inventory. It was more efficient and I got my supplies quicker. Now everything is computerized."

When asked about being a Tuskegee Airman, Colonel Holloman said, "I didn't think I did that much. I was one of eight Tuskegee Airmen to go to combat in three wars, but now I focus on telling the history." 

Colonel Holloman is currently working with George Lucas on a movie about the Tuskegee Airmen which is slated to premiere in two years. Both colonels also travel the world as guest speakers.