F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- February is Black History Month, and F. E. Warren has strong ties to one of the most recognizable African-American regiments -- the Buffalo Soldiers.

The Buffalo Soldiers were part of the 10th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army, formed Sept. 21, 1866, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Buffalo Soldiers were part of the armed forces shortly after the end of the Civil War, and remained in service through World War II. During the early 1900s, the Buffalo Soldiers were stationed at Fort D.A. Russell.

"The Buffalo Soldiers' mission was to help bring peace to the west," said Paula Taylor, Warren ICBM and Heritage Museum curator. "They were a very proud, honorable group of Soldiers."

In a time when they were still discriminated against for the color of their skin, the Buffalo Soldiers protected and helped expand the west. According to history, those troops had to work harder to receive the same amount of respect as a white Soldier.

An important figure in the history of the Buffalo Soldiers was Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. He was one of the first African-American commanders stationed here in 1912. He was assigned to Troop I, 9th Cavalry. Davis was also the first black man to become a general in the Army. Later, his son, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., became the first black general in the Air Force.

For a short period of time during the 1900s, the 10th Cavalry headquarters of the Buffalo Soldiers was at F. E. Warren.

The Buffalo Soldiers provide a rich history rooted in Warren, she added. Celebrating and remembering the role that they played in our history is very important.