An American airman relaxes in his squad tent during a quiet moment off duty, reading a letter from home. Photographs like this one, drawn from a personal WWII photo album connected to the 345th Bombardment Group, document the everyday rhythms of life at forward air bases in the Pacific -- the long stretches of waiting between missions, the comfort of mail from home, and the improvised living quarters airmen shared on remote island airstrips such as Ie Shima. Project: 218228