OREANDA-NEWS. September 11, 2013. Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Assistant Commissioner and Illinois Air National Guard Colonel Duane Hayden today rendered the official United States Air Force (USAF)oath to Captain Kenyatta Ruffin during a ceremony for his promotion to the rank of major. The ceremony took place at the Oak Lawn Hilton in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

"It is an honor to participate in this ceremony with Major Ruffin and to have the opportunity to salute the Tuskegee Airmen for their support of aviation career and life skills programs," Hayden said. "Major Ruffin is an outstanding role model and a true professional."

A Chicago area native, Major Ruffin is a current "New Generation" member of the Chicago "DODO" Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is also the Tuskegee Airmen Central Region's 2013 Distinguished Service Award honoree for his work in continuing the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Hayden, also a Chicago native, has worked for the CDA since 2002. He currently supervises fleet services at O'Hare International Airport.

"On behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, we offer congratulations to Major Ruffin on his promotion and thank him for his service to our country and to the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen," said Rosemarie S. Andolino, CDA Commissioner. "We are also very proud of Colonel Hayden and the work he does to facilitate the CDA portion of the "Safe Summer" program for young people in Chicago."

The Tuskegee Airmen have collaborated with the CDA for more than four years in support of various Youth Aviation Programs such as the Young Eagles, Aviation Career and Education (ACE) Camp and the "SAFE Summer" Youth Aviation Program in association with the Chicago Police Department CAPS initiative. Through the latter program, the CDA hosts approximately 50 young people at its Administration Building near O'Hare every summer.