A U.S. twin-engine transport aircraft rests on the coral airstrip at a forward Pacific base in 1945, likely serving the logistical needs of the 345th Bombardment Group at Ie Shima. Such transports ferried personnel, mail, spare parts, and supplies between island airfields, supporting the intensive medium-bomber operations flown against Japanese-held targets in the closing months of the war. A ground crewman stands beneath the aircraft's nose, illustrating the scale of these workhorse transports against the men who maintained and flew them. Project: 218235