This panoramic photograph captures a formation of U.S. Army Air Service personnel posed before a biplane trainer at Mather Field, California, during the First World War. Established in 1918 near Sacramento, Mather Field trained aviators and bombardiers for service overseas. The mix of pilot wings and plain uniforms visible among the assembled men reflects the range of flying cadets, instructors, and ground support staff stationed at the field during its earliest and busiest period of wartime training. Project: 218714