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Predator combat air patrol named after former Tuskeegee Airman

  • Published
  • By Air Forces Central Public Affairs
  • Combined Air and Space Operations Center
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Nothing could be more fitting for the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, based at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, than to have an MQ-1 Predator combat air patrol named after one of its most famous Airmen. 

Lt. Gen. Gary North, the commander of U.S. Air Forces Central, aligned a Predator combat air patrol to be designated by the call sign "Davis," in honor of Air Force legend Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Gen. Davis, an aviation pioneer and a member of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II, went on to become the Air Force's first African-American general. Keeping with the heritage of the 332nd AEW, the Air Force's Tuskegee Airmen once again have their historical leader symbolically overhead, watching over the wing, as well as over U.S. and coalition ground forces as they execute combat operations. 

As a lieutenant colonel in 1942, Davis assumed command of the 99th Fighter Squadron, the oldest and most famous unit of the Tuskegee Airmen. After flying P-40 Warhawks in combat and deploying to North Africa and Sicily, Davis became the commander of the 332nd Fighter Group as they flew P-51 Mustangs from Italy, providing escort missions for allied bomber aircraft. Today, the 332nd AEW is directly descended from the famous World War II 332nd Fighter Group. 

"Having a line named after Davis is a privilege," said Capt. Michael Grandos, a pilot and weapons officer for the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron. A native of Johnstown, Pa., Capt. Grandos was on the crew that launched the first Davis line. He added, "We hope to continue to honor the distinguished history that Gen. Davis brought to the Tuskegee Airmen by flying for the Tuskegee Airmen of today." 

General North expanded upon that sentiment. "We continue to align the naming of our Predator and Reaper CAPs from our historical Air Force lineage - it is a great daily reminder, for our Airmen and to the joint and combined services engaged in today's fight, of our Air Force heritage and of our Air Force's impact on today's battlefields."