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From the S&S archives: Photo gallery: B-52 crew prepares for a mission

Photos by Edward P. Benavente, ©Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, November, 1965
A look at a B-52 crew at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, preparing for a bombing mission over suspected Viet Cong strongholds in South Vietnam on November 19, 1965.

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Five members of a six-man B-52 crew eat an early (4:30 a.m.) breakfast at the MATS terminal cafeteria at Andersen AFB. From left, they are Maj. Larry G. Ingold of Star, N.C., electronic warfare officer; Major Billy D. Thornton of Raleigh, Miss., aircraft commander; Maj. Kenneth D. Burton of Fairfield, Ill., radar-navigator; Capt. Jimmy McCormick of Logan, W.V., navigator; and Capt. Stanley J. Lepo of Philadelphia, co-pilot.

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McCormick and Burton, left and center, attend the target study session conducted by Major Wilbur Hanson, target study officer of the 7th Bombardment Wing from Carswell AFB, Texas, on TDY at Andersen. These sessions were normally attended only by the radar-navigator and navigator during bombing missions over South Vietnam.

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Left to right, Lepo, Burton, Ingold, Thornton, tail gunner MSgt. Roscoe D. Morgan of Middletown, Ohio, and McCormick attend a mission study briefing at one of the 3rd Air Division's buildings on the base.

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Morgan brushes his teeth as he starts the long day.

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The crew arrives for the pre-flight briefing at the base theater.

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On the screen at the briefing are the official emblem of the 7th Bomb Wing, left, and the unofficial logo of the "Black Knights of the Mekong."

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Before the days of PowerPoint, overhead projectors served the same purpose at briefings.

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A crew member synchronizes his watch with those of other airmen in what was known as a "time hack."

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At the end of the briefing, the crew is led in prayer by the chaplain.

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Maj. William C. Reid, 7th Bomb Wing target intelligence officer, displays the contents of an E&E (escape and evasion) kit issued to those taking part in missions over South Vietnam.

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McCormick and Burton remove the shackle pin safety devices from bombs prior to takeoff.

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Aircraft commander Thornton adjusts his seat before takeoff.

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Thornton and co-pilot Lepo make last-minute adjustments in the cockpit.

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Their work done for the time being, members of the ground crew watch as a B-52 takes off.

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