The Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio now has a larger-than-life mural, painted by local artist Adam Hernandez, honoring the Tuskegee Airmen at the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial.
The memorial pays tribute to the pilots that were stationed at Rickenbacker following World War II, from 1946 to 1949.
The Tuskegee Airmen was a group of African American military pilots, both fighter and bomber and airmen who fought in World War II. They were the first African American flying unit in the U.S. military. They formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 447th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces.
“Originally the idea of an airport employee, this mural represents part of our rich aviation heritage here in Central Ohio,” said Columbus Regional Airport Authority Joseph Nardone. “We hope this expanded memorial celebrating the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen will inspire visitors.”
The project began in December 2023. A total of 25 letters of interest were submitted and the selection committee chose artist Hernandez’s design.
With more than 12 years of experience, Hernandez has expertise in creating public art, and has painted murals in cities across the U.S. as well as internationally.
The project took six months to plan, sketch, and paint the mural. The 39-foot-wide by 9-foot-high mural consists of 19 different colors and took 20 gallons of paint to create.
The mural prominently features base commander Col. Benjamin Davis Jr. and reflects the airmen’s courage and patriotism, according to Nardone. Many knew the airmen as the “Red Tails,” a nickname acquired from the deep red painted tails of their fighter planes that are also featured on the mural.
The artwork sits adjacent to the air traffic control tower at 7400 Alum Creek Drive and can be viewed by the public at anytime.