Douglas A-1 Skyraider standing cocked alert, Southeast Asia, circa February 1970. The hand-lettered board at the nosewheel reads 'ALERT AIRCRAFT COCKED': the aircraft has been armed, pre-flighted and configured so that a crew running to it could start, taxi and take off within minutes. A ground power cart stands connected at left, and red streamers on the arming pins mark ordnance still safed. Both main gear doors carry 258, the last three digits of the serial number. Skyraiders held on alert in this fashion flew the 'Sandy' mission, escorting rescue helicopters and suppressing enemy fire around downed airmen, as well as launching on short notice to support special reconnaissance teams. Donald L. Engebretsen, who took this photograph, flew A-1s from Da Nang with Operating Location Alpha Alpha of the 56th Special Operations Wing. Project: 218950