Despite being only 19 years old and lacking even a driver’s license, Hardy flew 21 missions in his P-51 during World War II
A special occasion occurred at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath on October 4, 2016, as described by Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, in the article Tuskegee Airman reunites with Red Tail.
A P-51D Mustang, one of the best fighters from World War II, flew down the Suffolk base’s flightline on that day.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. George E. Hardy, one of the 18 Tuskegee Airmen still alive, was in the aircraft.
The Tuskegee Airmen, an all-black fighter unit during World War II, were known as “Red Tails” because of the vividly painted aircraft tails they flew. There were more than 900 pilots in this group.
Hardy was one of 354 people sent overseas to carry out bomber escort missions. He flew 21 sorties in his P-51 during WWII though he was only 19 years old and did not even possess a driver’s license.
No bomber was ever lost to enemy fire while on an escort mission with the Red Tails. During the war, the group suffered the loss of 66 Tuskegee Airmen.
Peter Teichman, a pilot (Hangar 11 Collection), took to the skies in the restored P-51D Mustang known as “Tall in the Saddle.”
“Colonel George Hardy is a real war hero, the real deal,” Teichman stated. “I never thought I would get to meet the colonel or to take him flying. He’s a very remarkable man, and men like him need to be remembered.”
After acquiring the retiree’s original P-51, Teichman used history groups to locate Hardy. 71 years later, Hardy and his aircraft reunited, giving him the opportunity to make one more flight to RAF Lakenheath where he shared his story with the waiting base personnel.
“The greatest thing about this is that there’s a Red Tail flying in England,” Hardy said. “It means so much to us that there’s a Red Tail still around. So many great pilots and I was flying with them. You couldn’t beat that – I was on top of the world. We [Tuskegee Airmen] demonstrated that we could fly like anyone else.”
After the legendary Red Tails’ valor in World War II, the U.S. Air Force was founded as the first service to integrate racially. Many people credit the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen and those who served with them for this significant moment in American history.
An achievement was recognized also by Col. Evan Pettus, 48th Fighter Wing commander, who stated “This is a huge honor for us here at the 48th Fighter Wing. The Tuskegee Airmen have a very rich history and an incredibly important place in the culture and heritage of the United States and the United States Air Force. To see him [Lt. Col. George E. Hardy] here on RAF Lakenheath in his aircraft is very, very special for us.”
Noteworthy RAF Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing. The Liberty Wing is home to the HH-60G Combat Search and Rescue helicopters of the 56th Rescue Squadron in addition to supporting three combat-ready squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft.
Photo by Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield and Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew / U.S. Air Force
