The Tuskegee Airmen overcame significant hardship and discrimination to become the first African American military pilots. They trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and went on to complete over 15,000 combat missions during World War II, destroying over 150 enemy aircraft. Despite facing racism, the Tuskegee Airmen proved themselves as skilled pilots and helped pave the way for full integration of African Americans in the U.S. military.