about lesson planning Tuskegee Airmen, Groundbreaking black pilots known for their service during World War II Women Air Force Service PilotOr Wasp, female World War II pilots who were crucial in fielding warplanes for the Army, have been dropped from the U.S. Air Force curriculum, a U.S. official confirmed to CBS News on Saturday.
The official confirmed that lesson plans for basic training that have to do with diversity are under review to determine whether they comply with an executive order from President Trump that aims to end Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs within the federal government.
The video was shown to Air Force soldiers as part of the DEI courses they took during basic military training.
An Air Force official told CBS News: “Immediate steps were taken to remove the course which is now subject to review to ensure compliance with executive orders issued by the President. Historic Video U.S. Air Force and Space Force Courses The interviews were conducted in and were not the direct focus, of course, of the removal actions.
It was not immediately clear how long the review would take. CBS News reached out to the White House for comment.
The problem may not be with the historical videos themselves, but their use in the Air Force's basic military training coursework. However, the lack of clear guidance has sent the Air Force and other agencies to take a broader view of whether content is removed to ensure they are in compliance.
among many people executive order Since January 20th InaugurationMr Trump took aim Rooting out diversity, equity and inclusionor DEI, programs within the federal government.
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According to Trump administration officials, the orders cut funding for so-called DEI initiatives across all agencies. They also protect previous executive orders and actions from the previous administration that were designed to promote diversity throughout the federal government.
Mr Trump said he would direct the Office of Management and Budget to eliminate all related mandates, policies and programs across agencies – including all initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within the departments. According to officials and the text of the order, he is aiming to reestablish the administration as a merit-based hiring system.
In 2020, Mr Trump Recognized Retired Brigadier General Charles McGee, a Tuskegee Airman who earned his wings in 1943, at his State of the Union address. mcgee dead In 2022.
The Tuskegee Airmen were founded in 1941 in Tuskegee, Alabama, when the U.S. Army Air Corps began a program to train black servicemembers as Air Corps cadets, according to National Park Service. Instruction was provided by the Tuskegee Institute.
By the end of the war, the Tuskegee Airmen had completed 1,578 combat missions, and the Airmen received some of the highest honors in the Army Air Corps.
Photo courtesy of Tedeschi family via Getty
The Wasp learned to fly and ferry new bombers off assembly lines to airfields where they were needed to ship to war – freeing up male pilots to concentrate on combat overseas. He earned the right to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery over the past decade.
Contributed to this report.