The U.S. Air Force has reversed its decision to remove training videos featuring the Tuskegee Airmen, following intense backlash over diversity-related curriculum changes. The historic footage, which highlights America's first Black military aviators, was temporarily shelved last week as part of President Trump's broader elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The initial removal occurred on January 23rd when the Air Force paused its "airmindedness" training course to comply with new executive orders. The course, which also included videos about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), was part of basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, announced that a revised version of the training would resume on Monday, January 27th, maintaining the crucial historical content while removing DEI-specific materials. "No curriculum emphasizing the honor and bravery of these units has been removed from military training," Robinson stated.

The Tuskegee Airmen's legacy includes flying over 15,000 missions during World War II, with their all-Black 332nd Fighter Group recording one of the lowest loss records among bomber escorts. Their distinguished service helped pave the way for the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces in 1948.

The swift reinstatement of the training videos came as newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth began his first day at the Pentagon. Hegseth, who was confirmed by a Senate tie-breaker vote from Vice President JD Vance, said the move to cut the training was "immediately reversed."