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Military Personnel and Aircraft Operations

Images of military personnel engaged with aircraft during the mid-20th century, showcasing pilots prepping for flights, aircraft maintenance, and training exercises.

1940s 2 ARMY PILOTS STANDING FUSELAGE OF SLIDING COCKPIT SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE WING US ARMY AIR CORPS RANDOLPH FIELD TEXAS USA

Z.K.H. Prince Bernhard visits the Leeuwarden flying base as an inspector general. The prince is equipped with a kite outfit before he will fly with a Gloster Meteor for a shooting exercise.

DN-SN-89-01689. Country: Unknown

1st. Lt. Jerome Volk, seen at his F-80 Shooting Star fighter jet in October 1951 while deployed in support of the Korean War. Volk, the first Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot to die in the line of duty during the Korean conflict, was shot down during a combat sortie against communist forces Nov. 7, 1951, and his remains have never been recovered. In 1957 the Wisconsin legislature renamed the portion of Camp Williams used by the Wisconsin Air National Guard as Volk Field. Don Volk, 1st Lt. Volk's younger brother and next of kin, and dozens of other relatives attended the ceremony, which included full military honors such as a color guard, rifle squad, and a "missing-man formation" F-16 fly-over. Wisconsin National Guard file photo

How wireless operators are trained at the air force station at Archerfield. (1) An operator tapping out a message from the cockpit of a fighting machine. (2) The Message is received and noted the field station on the Aerodrome. August 07, 1940.

1940s 2 ARMY PILOTS STANDING FUSELAGE OF SLIDING COCKPIT SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE WING US ARMY AIR CORPS RANDOLPH FIELD TEXAS USA

Ground staff screws into the left motor of a Grumman S-2 tracker in the 1960-1970 period at the Marineliegkamp Valkenburg.

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Bomber Command Crew members of Lancaster PA995/BQ-V of No. 550 Squadron board their aircraft at North Killingholme for its 100th operation on 5 March 1945. Left to right are: Sergeant J Nicolson (mid-upper gunner), Flight Sergeant Jack Bold (bomb aimer) and Sergeant M McCutcheon (rear gunner).

DF-SN-85-03502. Base: Moody Air Force Base State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aircraft are serviced on the flight line. Base: Naval Air Station, Cubi Point State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Sergeant D Cameron, the pilot of Handley Page Halifax B Mark II, HR837 'NP-F', of No. 158 Squadron RAF, poses with two of his crew amidst the damage caused when it was hit by a falling bomb from another aircraft while raiding Cologne on the night of 28/29 June 1943. In spite of the severe damage to the fuselage, none of the crew were injured and Cameron managed to fly HR837 back to the Squadron's base at Lissett, Yorkshire. HR837 was repaired and flew a further 11 operations with the Squadron before being turned over to No. 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Mechanics greasing the mechanism of the port undercarriage of Vickers Wellington Mark IC, T2991 'HL-D' of No. 38 Squadron RAF, during maintenance at Shallufa, Egypt.

Major James A. Ellison returning Salute of Mac Ross of Dayton, Ohio, as he inspects the Cadets during Training, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA, U.S. Office of War Information, January 23, 1942

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Reporting airport Djokja, arrival Catalina Republic, watching members committee of good services. Catalina Flight from the Republic has landed at Djokjakarta airport. Squained crew of the aircraft steps into a trailer of a jeep. December 19, 1949. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Coastal Command A crew of No 58 Squadron in front of their Halifax Mk II Series IA at Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, 22-26 February 1945.

Airmen (AN) Trent Smith and Karla Lallo service an F-5E Tiger II adversary aircraft assigned to the Navy Fighter Weapons School. Known as "Top Gun", the school provides air combat maneuvering (ACM) training for Navy and Marine Corps pilots. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Admiral (ADM) Jonathan T. Howe, right, Commander in CHIEF, Allied Forces Southern Europe, talks to United States Air Force officers as he views an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft being shown as part of a static display of NATO aircraft. The display is being held in conjunction with the NATO Southern Region exercise DRAGON HAMMER '90. Subject Operation/Series: DRAGON HAMMER '90 Country: Italy (ITA)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Arrival General S.H. Rail on Kemajoran (24 August 1946). A.j.e. Van Berckelaer, Head of army contacts. August 24, 1946. Indonesia, Kemajoran, Dutch East Indies

Members of the V-2 Division look over the tracks of one of the bow catapults aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) before conducting a no-load test of the catapult's bridle pressure during FLEET EX 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Anefo photo collection. Aviation youth guest at MarineGliegers (Valkenburg). August 6, 1962. Valkenburg, South Holland

The four principal HL-10 pilots are seen here with the lifting body aircraft. They are, left to right; Air Force Major Jerauld R. Gentry, Air Force test pilot Peter Hoag, and NASA pilots John A. Manke and Bill Dana. All are wearing the pressure suits needed for flying above 50,000 feet.

RAAF for Malaya -- Ground staff Richmond Station preparing one of the Dakotas which is to go to Malaya. June 6, 1950. (Photo by Winton Irving/Fairfax Media).

COL James Record, commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, gives COL Shin, right, commander of the Korean Special Forces, an orientation on the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: South Korea

Flight Sergeant J M Cunningham of Sydney, Rear Gunner

Flight Lieutenant A Torrance of 'A' Flight, No. 27 Squadron RAF, climbs into his de Havilland Mosquito FB VI at Parashuram, India, for a sortie over Burma, March 1944.

Members of a hose team receive instructions during a crash drill on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). The LINCOLN is at sea for its shakedown cruise. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Visit by army commander D.C. Buurman van Vreeden to Padang. The Army Commander, Lieutenant General DC Buurman van Vreeden, visited Padang and the surrounding area on 21 September, accompanied by a chairman of the Dutch military committee at the Central Mixed Committee for the implementation of the Cease Fire, Colonel Jonkheer van Der Wijck. Upon his arrival at Tabing, the airport of Padang, the army commander greeted the numerous authorities, present at the same time. Below is the commander of the U-Brigade, Colonel J.C.C. van Erp, resident Dr. L.B. Van Straaten and the mayor of Padang, Dr. A.K. Hakim. September 21, 1949. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Padang, Sumatra

Groundcrew installing a Type F.24 camera into a Westland Lysander Mk II of No. 225 Squadron at RAF Tilshead, Wiltshire, September 1940. Groundcrew installing camera equipment into a Westland Lysander Mark II of No. 225 Squadron at RAF Tilshead, Wiltshire. The airman on the right loads a Type F.24 aerial camera into its position in the aircraft, while the airman on the left holds the camera motor unit.

A visit to an R.A.F. Station Of The Bomb Command.In the ***** section. The all-important ground ***** the aircraft 100% perfect for its next *****. July 19, 1942. (Photo by Sport & General Press Agency, Limited).

Anefo photo collection. Nederlands Contingent crew members of the American Marine Ship USS Claude V. Ricketts back at Valkenburg airbase; The luggage after unloading. December 3, 1965. Valkenburg, South Holland

Airplane maker-Radioradarmonteur works on the radar of an avenger. Is part of Object series AVDKM 540069 up to 540078.

Engine Afire, U.S. Plane Searches Safety -- One of the large force of carrier-base U.S. aircraft which blasted the Jap new Britain base of Rabaul Nov. 11 lands on a carrier's deck with its engine afire from a Jap hit. November 26, 1943. (Photo by Associated Press Photo). ;Engine Afire, U.S. Plane Searches Safety -- One of the large force of carrier-base U.S. aircraft which blasted the Jap new Britain base of Rabaul Nov. 11 lands on a carrier's deck with its engine afire from a Jap hit.

Medical personnel use litters to transport CPL. Richard Ramirez, 1ST Marine Division, and other wounded to a C-141B Starlifter aircraft. The patients are being medically evacuated from Al-Jubayl Air Base to Germany for treatment of wounds received during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Al Jubayl Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

DN-SN-85-07592. Base: USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

DN-SN-85-09050. Base: Naval Amphib Base, Little Creek State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Arrival General Dürst Britt. Arrival General Major H.J.J.w. Dürst Britt at Kemajoran airport. October 16, 1946. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

U.S. 15th Air Force Flying Fortress Completes 123rd Mission -- An American of Chinese ancestry a waist-gunnor on a B-17 flying Fortress chalks up on his plane the 123rd mission it has completed over enemy torritory, while his crew chief watches from the cockpit. The plane is attached to the 15th U.S. Army Air Force operating from bases in Italy. The air force was created early in November, 1943 for long range assault on enemy targets. It has flown thousand of sorties ranging over Italy, the Balkans, Southern Franco and over enemy-held contal Europo. September 27, 1944.

American Girl Who Flew Bomber To Britain Visits Fighter Station.Miss Jacqueline Cochran Wishes "good luck" to some of the pilots before they started off on the "sweep".Miss Jacqueline Cochran, the American flier who delivered a Hudson bomber from America, visited a fighter station in Britain to meet members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force who are doing good work by helping with the preparation of planes and giving general assistance on the aerodrome. June 24, 1941.

DF-SN-85-05229. Base: Yokota Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)

DN-SN-87-11735. Base: Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay Country: Cuba (CUB)

General Curtis LeMay. January 17, 1952. (Photo by Look Magazine).

Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. A ground crew member cleaning the plexiglass covering of a Leigh Light, fitted under the starboard wing of a Consolidated Liberator at St Eval, Cornwall.

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Coastal Command A Liberator crew of No 311 (Czech) Squadron at Beaulieu, 21 July 1943. The aircraft is a Mk IIA, serial number LV343.

Rear-Admiral John A.S. Eccles, RN, new commander of the Royal Australian Fleet, and Captain R.R. Dowling, DSO Ran talk with Firelly pilots after their return to aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, from exercises with combined Australian and New Zealand Fleets. October 17, 1949.

LT Kim F.P. Skrinak is aboard an HH-1H Iroquois helicopter before take-off. The lieutenant is one of two pilots, who will be presented the Cheney Awards of 1980 for rescuing a crash-injured glider pilot in a mountain on 24 January 1980. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Anefo photo collection. Army exercise flint in Oldebroek, the fire line in a truck. September 6, 1962. Oldenbroek

A game ball aboard a United States Navy aircraft carrier in Central Pacific operations, against Japanese strongholds. March 14, 1944. (Photo by Official U.S. Navy Photograph).;A game ball aboard a United States Navy aircraft carrier in Central Pacific operations, against Japanese strongholds.

An E-2C Hawkeye aircraft catches the arresting cable as it lands on the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) during FLEET EX 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Base: USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

RAF pilot learning to fly during the Second World War, 1941. Creator: Charles Brown.

Smokejumpers: In Action - Montana. Photographs Relating to National Forests, Resource Management Practices, Personnel, and Cultural and Economic History

Captain kite A. Tombal (1934) in the cockpit of his Lockheed F-104G Starfighter.

B-47A Stratojet on ramp with pilots and crew.In 1954 after a research flight in the Boeing B-47A Stratojet Crew Chief Wilbur McClenaghan (center) asks of the pilots if there are any "squawks" that should be taken care of before the next flight. Pilots are Joe Walker on the viewer's left and Stanley Butchart on the right. Data system technician Merle Curtis, in coveralls, is busy checking the airdata head mounted on the nose boom with the help of Instrumentation Crew Chief Raymond Langley. The door to the cockpit area is open showing a view of the ladder that folds down to be used by the pilots to enter and leave the area.

COL John R. Layman, commanding officer, 131st Tactical Fighter Wing, adjusts his headphone set as he sits in the OV-10 Bronco aircraft, and his co-pilot climbs aboard. Country: Unknown

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1939-1941. Aircrew a No. 77 Squadron RAF Detachment at Villeneuve/Vertus, France, prepare to board Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark V, N1357 'KN-H', for a leaflet-dropping ('Nickelling') sortie to Prague and Vienna. The leather 'apron' worn by the air gunner on the left is the unzipped trousers section of his two-piece Irvin flying suit. N1357 was shot down on the night of 27/28 March 1940, after straying into neutral Holland while returning from a similar mission to the Ruhr.

DN-SN-85-05663. Base: Naval Air Station Whidbey Island State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two flight deck crewmen help secure an external fuel tank on the wing of an Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115) A-6 Intruder aircraft on the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62). The INDEPENDENCE is participating in Operation Southern Watch, a multinational effort establishing a no-fly zone for Iraqi aircraft south of the 32nd parallel in Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

Royal Air Force Coastal Command- No. 247 Group Operations in the Azores, 1943-1945. Groundcrew of No. 269 Squadron RAF make the final adjustments to a Mark II Lifeboat, loaded to the belly of its parent aircraft, Vickers Warwick ASR Mark I, BV508 'HK-B', at Lagens.

Two crew members of a Consolidated B-24 Liberator prepare to make an engine change. Members of the Heavy Bomber Group commanded by Colonel Luther J. Fairbanks of Burt, Iowa, they are: (left to right) Sgt James V. Blakney, 4644 East Ridge, Lansofrd

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Arrival participants in the Victory parade at 't Kemajoran airport. Arrival of the participants in the Victory parade at' t Kemajoran airport. July 1946. Batavia, Indonesia, Jakarta, Dutch East Indies

Anefo photo collection. Arrival American soldiers at Schiphol in connection with NATO exercise "refolger"; Soldiers with a background plane from US Air Force. September 8, 1978. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Arrival General S.H. Track on Kemajoran (24 August 1946). General track is greeted by his wife. August 24, 1946. Indonesia, Kemajoran, Dutch East Indies

World War II, Sergeant Edward T. Spetch, Sergeant Vernon Nelson, Flying Fortress gunners carefully clean their .50 caliber machine guns at a U.S. Army Air Force airbase in the New Hebrides, circa 1942.

Crewmen aboard the destroyer USS NICHOLSON (DD-982) rig lines for highline transfer of supplies from the combat stores ship USS CONCORD (AFS-5) during underway replenishment. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Families of the crewmen board the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) for a dependents cruise at the conclusion of the commissioning ceremony. Base: Newport News State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Flight Engineer At His Position In A Boeing B-29 "Superfortress". India.

DN-SN-85-07575. Base: USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Parachutists in action during the 2nd police action. Para's gather at an airport. December 19, 1948. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

DF-SD-07-25444. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The crewmembers of the Apollo 13 mission step aboard the USS Iwo Jima, prime recovery ship for the mission, following splashdown and recovery operations in the South Pacific Ocean. Exiting the helicopter which made the pick-up some four miles from the Iwo Jima are (from left) astronauts Fred W. Haise Jr., lunar module pilot; James A. Lovell Jr., commander; and John L. Swigert Jr., command module pilot. The crippled Apollo 13 spacecraft splashed down at 12:07:44 p.m. (CST), April 17, 1970. The Apollo 13 craft and crew launched on April 11, 1970, but when an oxygen tank exploded two days later rendering the Service Module ineffective, the mission was aborted. NASA followed this mission with Apollo 14 in January 1971, which saw a successful Moon landing and safe return of its crew.

Royal Air Force- France, 1939-1940 Flying Officer E J Kain of No. 73 Squadron, standing in the cockpit of his Hawker Hurricane Mark I at Rouvres.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Departure General Curls after inspection tour through Indonesia. Departure of General H.J. Curls after his inspection trip through Indonesia. On the stairs of the skymaster. May 15, 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Field post for Medan. The post arrives by plane. March 1947. Indonesia, Medan, Dutch East Indies, Sumatra

Crewmembers in cold weather dress shovel snow from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7) during NATO Exercise Teamwork '92. Subject Operation/Series: TEAMWORK '92 Base: Trondheim Fjord Country: Norway (NOR)

French Train as NATO Paratroopers at Pau. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Flight Sergeant Georges Nadon, a French-Canadian pilot with No. 122 Squadron, in his Spitfire at Hornchurch, May 1942. Flight Sergeant Georges Nadon of No 122 Squadron was the focus of a photo-story taken at Hornchurch in May 1942. The Photographer's brief was to record the movements of a single pilot over the course of a day. The 27-year-old French-Canadian, seens striking a pose in the cockpit of his Spitfire, was asked to list his hobbies. Somewhat predictably, the response was 'girlfriends and beer'!

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Arrival participants in the Victory parade at 't Kemajoran airport. Arrival of the participants in the Victory parade at' t Kemajoran airport. July 1946. Batavia, Indonesia, Jakarta, Dutch East Indies

A view of damage caused to the tail section of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft when the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41) when it collided with the Panamanian freighter CACTUS. Base: Naval Station, Subic Bay State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC REPORTAGE V-Brigade. Radiotelefonist at work. August 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

U.S. ARMY paratroops jump from an Air Force transport over Vietnam. 1967.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Inspectorate General H.J. Curls by Indonesia. Arrival Batavia General Curls at Kemajoran Airport. May 1, 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Crew members load rounds into a Mark 32 3-inch/50-caliber gun during a general quarters aboard the tank landing ship USS SUMTER (LST-1181) drill. The SUMTER is transiting the Atlantic Ocean on a West African training cruise. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Installation of White House Army Signal Agency (WHASA) equipment in new limousine. Installation of White House Army Signal Agency (WHASA) equipment in the backseat of the new Presidential Lincoln-Mercury Continental limousine. Unidentified WHASA staff member with a Master Sergeant insignia on arm.

WAKDE ISLAND-Medical orderlies load the first patient aboard the Douglas C-47.

Breaks Two World Records -- Speed Flyer Jacqueline Cochran stands in front of the Canadian-built F-86 Sabre jet in which she has broken two World records at Edwards Air Force Base by flying around a 12 pylon course at an average 652.337 miles per hour, the army announced today. She shattered the women's jet speed record of 535 mph held by Mme. Jacqueline Auriol of France, and the all-time jet record for 100½-kilometer course, made by Col. Fred Ascani, U. S. Air Force of 635 mph. May 18, 1953. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).

Flight deck and air wing personnel drag the crash barricade across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) during a drill. The KENNEDY is taking part in FLEET EX 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

The crew of an R Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1ST Marine Division, 155mm M-109A1, 155mm self-propelled howitzer prepares for a fire mission during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Mr. J. Francis, Navy Minister at Howra Baie. December 16, 1954.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Tjililitan airport at Batavia various activities. Mechanics at work. February 1947. Batavia, Indonesia, Jakarta, Dutch East Indies

DN-SN-90-02437. Base: Naval Air Station, Lemoore State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Anefo photo collection. Record flight Gloster Meteor above Ameland. August 28, 1949. Leeuwarden airbase

DN-SN-88-01954. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Bandjermasin, farewell to annoyed J.H.m.u.l.e. Ohl. The lt.kol. J.h.m.u.l.e. Ohl has the TR.TVs.trpn. Command of z.o.borneo transferred to lt.kol. A.C.C. Dufour. Lt. Col. Ohl left for the Netherlands after the transfer. On Oelin airport, he says goodbye to the resident of Z. Borneo, A.G. Deelman. September 7, 1948. Batavia, Indonesia, Kemajoran, Dutch East Indies

423 Parachutes - General - Aviation. July 26, 1941. (Photo by Aviation)

Aviation Structural Mechanic H AIRMAN Lynne Courtney rigs the flap system on the wing of an A-7 Corsair II aircraft. Base: Naval Air Station, Lemoore State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

In November 1958 the Royal Netherlands Marine provided an exhibition at Thorbecke Lyceum in The Hague.

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