Airmen Reunite.

Reported By: Brooke Chavez/ KAMC 28 News 

It was 30 years ago that Reese Air Force Base here in Lubbock gave a group of African-American airmen their start... and Saturday those men reunite.

Reese Air Force Base graduated dozens of African-American pilots in the 70's. Some remain in the military to serve our country, and others went on to captain commercial airlines, making history. Saturday those pilots got together where it all began.  

"We've been reminiscing and talking about flight training and the experience that we had hear at Reese Air Force Base back in the 70s and it's like dejavu all over again," says Hank Taylor.

"This is a part of my life I'll never forget. It's the building of my future. It all started here at Reese Air Force Base." Derron Patterson, now a Captain with Southwest Airlines, says that seeing his old friends is emotional.

Like African-American pilots who broke barriers before them, Derron and his peers relied on one another for support during a different time in America. "The challenges were many, not the least of which, during that time was racial discrimination, and we had to face that on many fronts, but fortunately we had some forward thinking commanders."

"And we had each other, we leaned on each other, we studied together and we practiced everything together."

While the Reese Air Force Base has been closed since 1997, it's still a learning hub and is home to many research and technology businesses. "There were a lot of firsts that happened when Reese was a base and there are still a lot of firsts that are happening as a technology center," says Todd Reno, Director of Reese Business Development.

Reno says they are thrilled to honor the history and legacy of Reese Air Force Base and partner with the pilots to celebrate their past. And as the pilots remember their schooling and success, Lubbock takes pride in playing a part.

"It's the dream that starts it all and if you're willing to persevere and work hard, you can accomplish that dream."

After the airmen took a walk down memory lane at Reese Technology Center they went over to the Science Spectrum to look at old Air Force memorabilia and for a nice dinner.

KAMC 28 Link