Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, circa November 1969. A Douglas A-1 Skyraider - tail code TS, aircraft number 628 - sits fully armed on a revetted hardstand while a ground crewman works at a towed power cart. The yellow sign at left, 'SAR ALERT A/C CONTROLLED AREA,' marks this as an aircraft held on combat search-and-rescue alert. Flying under the callsign Sandy, Skyraider crews orbited over downed airmen for hours, suppressing enemy fire and shepherding rescue helicopters in. The piston-engined Skyraider's endurance, heavy ordnance load and ability to absorb damage made it the aircraft of choice for this mission long after jets had replaced it elsewhere. Photographed by Don Engebretsen, who flew with the OLAA Da Nang detachment of the 56th Special Operations Wing. Project: 218965