A U.S. Army sergeant identified by his name tape as 'Hayward' stands on the flight line beside an L-19/O-1 Bird Dog, the Army's primary liaison and observation aircraft during the 1950s and 1960s. Lightweight, rugged, and easy to maintain, the Bird Dog served Army National Guard and active-duty units in reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and forward air control roles well into the Vietnam War. This photograph reflects the everyday work of ground crews who kept Army aviation units flying at airfields and armories across the country. Project: 218662