These young airmen are probably at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, but it doesn't say. They're a year or two away from service and this is one of those pictures that really makes you think about that. This photograph was taken in the summer of 1952. Some of these guys likely went to Korea. During war or uneasy treaty, they served under the wings or in the insides of these planes.

It is difficult to really stop marvelling over that.

The text says "In these times of uncertain foreign policy, it is necessary to make sure that the future officers of the United States Air Force are proficiently trained."

Was it uncertain because Truman just left Washington and Eisenhower had only recently been sworn in? Did they already not like Ike? Or were they still, like many critics, throwing barbs at Truman? The book doesn't say.

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