Honoring the past

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Col. Mark Schissler (left) returns a Japanese flag to Manshichi Saeki during a ceremony here Aug. 6. The flag belonged to Mr. Saeki's older brother who died fighting against American forces during World War II. Colonel Schissler is commander of the 374th Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

Honoring the past

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 374th Airlift Wing Honor Guard fold a Japanese flag belonging to Ippei Saeki who died fighting against American forces during World War II. The flag was presented to his younger brother during a ceremony here Aug. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

C-130

1960s -- C-130 airlift aircraft from Tactical Air Command carry out operations on a forward dirt assault landing zone, bringing in supplies and equipment for forces in U.S. Strike Command's Joint Exercise GoldFire I. First Infantry Division trucks in the foreground, previously flown in, are typical of cargo carried in these aircraft during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo)

T-37 Tweet

1950s -- The T-37B Tweet is a twin-engine jet used for training student pilots in fundamentals of aircraft handling. It became part of the Air Force inventory in 1955. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Air Force security policemen

1960s -- Air Force security policemen from Tan Son Nhut Air Base, watch for Viet Cong infiltration attempts along the base perimeter, as Technical Sgt. Philip H. Moon (foreground), 34, Stockton, Calif., awaits instructions from Central Security Control. (U.S. Air Force photo)

B-52 combat crew

1960s - Members of a Strategic Air Command B-52 combat crew race for their always ready-and-waiting B-52 heavy bomber. Fifty percent of the SAC bomber and tanker force is on continuous ground alert, ready to be enroute to target within the warning time provided by the ballistic missile early warning system. One of the bomber's two hound dog missiles is shown in the foreground. (U.S. Air Force photo)