Black Wings Tour Podcast now available Published Jan. 27, 2014 By Ken LaRock DAYTON, Ohio -- As Black History Month approaches, visitors to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force can view exhibits and check out online resources to learn more about African Americans who served in the Air Force and its predecessor organizations. A new self-guided audio tour, narrated by Tech. Sgt. Felita LaRock, guides visitors through the Early Years and World War II Galleries, pointing out prominent black aviators and significant milestones in Air Force history. The podcast highlighting Eugene Jacques Bullard, the first black military pilot; the famous Tuskegee Airmen; Engineer Aviation Battalions; the integration of the Air Force; and other African American aviation pioneers is available at http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/podcasts/blackwings.asp. Explore U.S. Air Force history by listening to these podcasts on your computer, in your car or while walking around the museum galleries. Near the B-24D Liberator in the World War II Gallery is the museum's exhibit on the famed Tuskegee Airmen. On July 19, 1941, the AAF began a program in Alabama to train black Americans as military pilots. Primary flight training was conducted by the Division of Aeronautics of Tuskegee Institute, the famed school of learning founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881. In addition to telling the story of their distinctive combat record, the exhibit presents uniforms, photos and other mementos of the Tuskegee Airmen. Read more about the Tuskegee Airmen and see photos online at http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1356 or view a 360-degree image of the exhibit at http://nmusafvirtualtour.com (click on World War II - 026 on the map). The museum is working on an expanded Tuskegee Airmen exhibit in the World War II Gallery, and restoration specialists have been working on a PT-13D, which will be used to represent flight training during the war. For a video on the PT-13D restoration, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_uB2Dwkukk. Also in commemoration of Black History Month, the Air Force Museum Theatre will feature the film "Red Tail Reborn." Historic interviews, unprecedented access and emotional honesty bring to light the tale of the Tuskegee Airmen and those who honor them. Visit http://www.afmuseum.com/attractions for more information about this film and other Theatre show times. Other ways to commemorate Black History Month can be found on the museum's website. The Museum Lecture Series podcast and the Museum Audio Tour both include segments related to black history, from guest lectures on the integration of the Air Force to an audio tour on the Tuskegee Airmen. These podcasts can be downloaded through iTunes or accessed at http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/podcasts/index.asp. Finally, a number of educational resources also are available. The Black Wings Teacher Resource Guide, available at http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070319-145.pdf, highlights the contributions African Americans have made to Air Force history and includes information on audiovisual loan items and suggested readings. The museum's Education staff also created a lesson plan on the Tuskegee Airmen to teach students in grades 2-4 about the World War II heroes. It can be downloaded from http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110419-030.pdf. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton, Ohio. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil. NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286. NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Ken LaRock at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1238.