As the U.S. military's first black aviators, the Tuskegee Airmen had a double challenge: flying in the dangerous skies during World War II, and fighting a war against prejudice waged by allies both at home and overseas.

Now some of the airmen's members have undertaken another mission: helping high school students rise above obstacles in their pursuit of aviation careers through a program that also aims to ensure that the Tuskegee Airmen's legacy survives.

Two of the famed Airmen met with students recently at Atlanta's airport for an inaugural weeklong class of the Tuskegee Airmen Aviation Career Training Program.

Organizers plan to hold the class annually in Atlanta, and eventually nationwide.

Tags: education, Delta Airlines, Aviation, tuskegee airmen, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport, aviation careers