Official announcements from respective military branches

Air Force Removes Tuskegee Airmen, WASPs, Breaking Barriers Videos Amid Trump DEI Order

Jan 25, 2025, 10:34 PM

The U.S. Air Force has removed training courses that included videos on the Tuskegee Airmen, Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), and the "Breaking Barriers" video in compliance with an executive order from President Donald Trump. The order, part of a broader effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies, has led to the review and removal of DEI-related content in Air Force basic training. The videos, which highlighted the contributions of the pioneering Black pilots of the Tuskegee Airmen and the female pilots of the WASPs during World War II, were part of the "Airmindedness" program aimed at promoting historical awareness. The Air Force stated that the videos were not specifically targeted but were removed due to their inclusion in DEI coursework. The Tuskegee Airmen, known as the "Red Tails," were the first Black military pilots in the U.S., while the WASPs played a critical role in ferrying aircraft during the war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a vocal critic of DEI programs, has supported these changes. The executive order has prompted confusion and rapid adjustments across military branches to ensure compliance.