Southeast Asia, circa 1968-1970. A U.S. Air Force pilot climbs out of the cockpit of a Douglas A-1 Skyraider onto the wing at the end of a mission, his helmet and oxygen hose left on the canopy sill. Beside him a shirtless crew chief works in the punishing tropical heat that made stripped-down flightline dress the norm. The piston-engined Skyraider, nicknamed the Spad by its crews, could loiter for hours and absorb heavy battle damage, qualities that made it indispensable for close air support and for the Sandy combat search-and-rescue mission that shepherded helicopters in to recover downed airmen. From the Bob Karre collection, part of the Donald L. Engebretsen archive. Project: 218896