CAF Brings Living History to Birmingham This Memorial Day
Birmingham, AL (May 22, 2025) – This Memorial Day weekend, history takes flight in Birmingham as the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) RISE ABOVE Squadron partners with the CAF Birmingham Escadrille and the Southern Museum of Flight to host a five-day tribute to American heroes. From May 22 to May 26, visitors to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport will experience the legacy of two groundbreaking groups in aviation history—the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)—through immersive exhibits, historic aircraft, and powerful storytelling.
A highlight of the event is the RISE ABOVE Squadron’s 53-foot mobile movie theater, which will be showing two original short films. These powerful stories dive into the lives of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP, two groups whose courage, determination, and service were once overlooked in the history books—but who played vital roles in the war effort and in reshaping our country’s military.
Several historic aircraft will be on display, including the iconic red-tailed P-51C Mustang, a living symbol of the Tuskegee Airmen’s valor, and the Fairchild PT-19, which represents the type of trainer aircraft used to prepare future aviators for combat. Seeing these warbirds up close is a moving experience—and a great way to connect with the people who flew them.
There’s a deep Alabama connection to this story. In 1941, Moton Field in Tuskegee became the site of a bold and groundbreaking experiment by the U.S. Army Air Corps: Could African Americans be trained as combat pilots? At the time, many in the military didn’t believe it was possible. But the young men who became the Tuskegee Airmen proved them wrong—flying with excellence in Europe and North Africa and paving the way for desegregation in the armed forces.
The event promises engaging activities for all ages and an opportunity to step into living history. Visitors are encouraged to bring the whole family to experience the exhibit, meet with reenactors, and hear firsthand how these heroes helped shape the course of American history. To learn more about the CAF RISE ABOVE Squadron and the stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP, visit https://cafriseabove.org.
