Jul 30, 2026
Class VI of the Red Tail Cadet Program Graduation
On June 30th, 2026 Class VI of the Red Tail Cadet Program celebrated their completion of the program! Congratulations Cameron Carter, Rocko Smith, London Hawkins, Joseph Renaud and Zariah Rouse [listed from left to right]
May 28, 2026
Class VI of the Red Tail Cadet Program Kicks Off
We are proud to introduce class VI of the Red Tail Cadet Program!
[From left to right] London Hawkins, Zariah Rouse, Cameron Carter, Rocko Smith, Joseph Renaud
Jul 31, 2025
Red Tail Cadet Program Class V Graduation 2025
Jul 1, 2025
Red Tail Cadet Program Class V
Jun 12, 2025
Welcoming Home the Women of Valor Honor Flight 6.12.2025
...and what an HONOR it was! Our cadets studied the Women of Valor ladies' bios and later were able to see them return back to St. Louis after the veterans' day in Washington DC. The veterans attended ceremonies honoring them and made visits to the Military Women's Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials and more. Their day started at 3AM departing Lambert St. Louis International Airport with a water cannon salute as their plane exited the tarmac and ended with a welcome home parade in the terminal with hundreds of loved ones and community members supporting them. The Veterans carried this banner through the whole day and then our Red Tail Cadets carried the banner through the airport parade finishing the celebration. The Veteran Ladies had an incredible and full day and we were so happy to see them home last night.
Jun 5, 2025
History in the Making: All-Female Cadet Class Selected for Red Tail Flight Training Program
On Thursday, June 5, six trailblazing young women from the Ferguson-Florissant School District [names pictured left to right YELENA DOMINGUEZ-STREMMEL, JENAE PATTERSON, MACKENZIE MANSARAY, ATTIONA UMANA, LAILA WILLIAMS, AND AMERIA TURNER] were formally inducted into the fifth class of the prestigious Red Tail Cadet Program (RTCP)
This year’s Class V cohort marks a historic milestone as the first all-female class in the program’s history. These outstanding 11th and 12th grade students were selected through a competitive application process that assessed their academic excellence, leadership promise, and commitment to personal growth.
The all-girls cohort carries forward the legacy of pioneering women in aviation—from Bessie Coleman to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)—who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. These cadets will now take flight as the next generation of innovators and leaders, reshaping the future of aviation and serving as powerful role models in their schools and communities.
Aug 30, 2024
Red Tail Cadet Program Class IV Graduation 2024
Congratulations 2024 Red Tail Cadets on completing the summer program!
Noah Strong - 11th McCluer North
Elijah Fields - 12th Steam Academy
Alyssa Hill - 11th Maplewood-Richmond Heights
Sasha Parott-Santillan - 12th Innovation High School at Cool Valley
Jalen Dennis - 11th Steam Academy
El Amir Soliman - 12th Steam Academy
Aug 30, 2024
Amir Soliman from RTCP class IV solos!!
Congratulations Amir on achieving his solo flight on August 28th 2024!
Aug 18, 2024
We have another Private Pilot, Ellie Flick from RTCP Class III!
Ellie Flick from the 2023 Class of Red Tail Cadets received her private pilot's license on Sunday August 18th 2024! Way to go Ellie!
May 16, 2024
Welcome our 4th Class of Red Tail Cadets!
We are proud to introduce our 4th Class of Red Tail Cadets!
Noah Strong - 11th McCluer North
Elijah Fields - 12th Steam Academy
Alyssa Hill - 11th Maplewood-Richmond Heights
Sasha Parott-Santillan - 12th Innovation High School at Cool Valley
Jalen Dennis - 11th Steam Academy
El Amir Soliman - 12th Steam Academy
Jan 7, 2024
Matthew Gaikins from RTCP III is now a Private Pilot!
Matthew Gaikins from the 3rd class of Red Tail Cadets achieves his goal of attaining his private pilot's license on Sunday January 7th 2024! We are so proud of you Matthew!
Aug 8, 2023
Ellie Flick from the 2023 Red Tail Cadet Program completed her SOLO flight with flying colors!
Ellie Flick from the 3rd class of Red Tail Cadets solos on Tuesday morning August 8th! Becoming the first female from the program to solo! Way to go Ellie!
Aug 7, 2023
Matthew Gaikins from RTCP III achieves his SOLO flight
Matthew Gaikins from the 2023 Red Tail Cadet Program achieved his solo flight on Monday evening, August 7th! Way to go Matthew!
Jul 26, 2023
Fox 2 Now Story on Red Tail Cadet Program
Pastor Anthony helping Ferguson Florissant Students Fly High!
May 18, 2023
KSDK Featured Story
Thank you to 5 on your side, Sydney Stallworth for featuring the kick-off of our 3rd Red Tail Cadet Class! You can watch the KSDK story HERE.
Sep 4, 2022
St Louis Post Dispatch Feature
We were honored to have Erin Heffernan and the St. Louis Post Dispatch tell the story of the Red Tails to the Greater St Louis area. Read the full StlToday article HERE.
Jul 26, 2022
Meet - Cadet Capt. Derreck Beal
Meet Cadet Captain Derreck Beal, graduate of the Red Tails Class #1.
Jul 25, 2022
Meet - Cadet Grace Ford
Meet Cadet Grace Ford from Red Tail Class #2.
Jul 25, 2022
Meet - Cadet Jalen Reynolds
Meet Cadet Jalen Reynolds from Red Tails Class #2.
Jul 25, 2022
Meet - Cadet Micah Riggs
Meet Cadet Micah Riggs from Red Tails Class #2.
Jul 25, 2022
Meet - Anyah Brown
Meet Cadet Anyah Brown from Red Tails Class #2.
Jul 25, 2022
Meet - Cadet Tyrese Walker
Meet Cadet Tyrese Walker from Red Tails Class #2.
Dec 14, 2021
The Red Tail Story
Learn how this transformative program came to life.
Aug 20, 2021
Cadets Make A Difference
Thank you to St Louis County for highlighting the inaugural Red Tail Cadet class!
Mar 26, 2021
KMOV Feature
Thank you to the KMOV News 4 Team for the great feature on the founding of the Red Tail Cadet Program and its inaugural class.