Red Tail Cadets Class VI Graduation Held at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Five high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were honored as Class VI of the Red Tail Cadet Program during a graduation ceremony held on Thursday evening, July 30, at Elite Aviation. The event marked the culmination of eight weeks of flight training and life skills coaching received as part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. 

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class VI seated (L-R):

Zariah Rouse, Cameron Carter, Rocko Smith, Joseph Renaud and London Hawkins

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, and Elite Aviation among other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

The evening began with the arrival of the Commemorative Air Force Missouri Wing's B-25J Mitchell, Show Me, generously provided as the backdrop to the ceremony. This World War II-era medium bomber, crewed by Matt Conrad and Charlie Bramstedt, is based at St. Charles County Regional Airport - Smartt Field and can be seen at ride events around the Midwest region. The B-25 was also the aircraft type used by the 477th Bombardment Group, where the first class of Tuskegee Airmen crews trained at Selfridge Field, MI in late 1944. The war ended before they could be deployed to the European or Pacific Theaters, but the domestic battle for equality continued for years to come.  

The ceremony began with a series of messages from representatives of the sponsoring organizations who worked tirelessly throughout the year to make the Red Tail Cadet Program possible. Included here are The Crossing Church Pastor Anthony Meyers, Elite Aviation Owner John Tipton and The Crossing Church member and Mayor of Lake St. Louis, Brian McKinney. 

Following the sponsor presentations, the Red Tail Cadets reflected on the program's Pillars of Leadership: Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Legacy and Commitment. Each Red Tail Cadet from Class VI was then awarded a framed graduation certificate along with a Proclamation from St. Louis County, represented here by Spirit of St. Louis Airport Director John Bales, naming July 30, 2025, for each of the Cadets by name.

Two special awards, wood P-51 Mustang models, were given to Spirit of St. Louis Airport Director, John Bales, and Dr. Matthew Miriani, Aviation Medical Examiner, for their support of the Red Tail Cadets.

The Cadets, along with their families and friends, gathered around the aircraft for more photos as the sun set. The Aero Experience thanks Elite Aviation, The Crossing Church and all of the sponsors for supporting the Red Tail Cadet Program again this year!

Red Tail Cadets Class of 2024 Inducted at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Six high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were inducted into the Red Tail Cadet Program Class of 2024 during a ceremony held on May 16 at Elite Aviation. The event marked the official start of the practical aviation and life skills training sessions that will be held throughout the summer. The program provides an intensive flight training course that is an integral part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. It is hoped that this program will be launched in cities across the country in the future.

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, Elite Aviation, Boeing and other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

The inspiration for the Red Tail Cadet Program came from an encounter half a world away from St. Louis. Anthony Meyers, The Crossing Church Pastor of Community Development, was on a mission trip to Africa. While he was there, he took a flight with two young pilots. He asked one of them, a native of Nairobi, Kenya, how he became a pilot and was inspired by his answer. In a region where most parents encourage their sons to become doctors, this young man had a different calling: he wanted to become a pilot. So after high school graduation, his community raised the funds to send him to South Africa for pilot training. After Pastor Meyers returned, he consulted with the Ferguson-Florissant School District and the other sponsors and the Red Tail Cadet Program was born. 

During the induction ceremony, aviation industry executives and community leaders addressed the program participants and guests who gathered at Elite Aviation. Speakers included:

Tim Bounds, The Crossing Church Pastor of Teaching

Anthony Meyers, The Crossing Church Pastor of Community Development

John Tipton, Elite Aviation Vice President 

Brandon Mann, The Mann Family Foundation

John Bales, Spirit of St. Louis Airport Director of Aviation 

Dr. Sam Page, St. Louis County Executive

Matthew Gaikins, Red Tail Cadet Class of 2023, gave words of encouragement to the new class members.

The Red Tail Cadets were provided with a bag of aviation supplies and monogramed uniforms that will be used during flight training in the coming months. The cadets were then paired up with Certified Flight Instructors from Elite Aviation and escorted to an aircraft for a sunset flight around the local area.

The cadets will continue their flight training over the next several months, and The Aero Experience will have regular updates as the Red Tail Cadet Program Class of 2024 progresses in their training.