Us Official Photographs

Combat crewmen make final check-up of personal equipment and discuss

Combat crewmen make final check-up of personal equipment and discuss points brought out during the briefing. The bombers nose is covered with a tailored tarpaulin to keep the plexiglass clear of frost which might obscure the pilot's vision. The ground mechanics working like beavers have readied the planes for the mission. Left to right; T/Sgt. Mexico J. Barraza, 27, radio operator and gunner, of Villa American, Cojutepeque El Salvador, and 100 W. 105th St. N.Y. inspects his parachute pack; S/Sgt. James F. Belville, 25, waist gunner of 3267 McClure Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. T/Sgt. Noah C. Kirk, 21, engineer and top turret gunner of Flatwoods, Tenn., and T/Sgt. Henry J. Streets, 31, of Dry Forks, W.Va., who is doing his 5th mission on his second tour of operations, look with amazement and good cheer at the notes they have taken on the mornings mission, a last minute check before they climb into their p1lane waiting and take their position. (one name not listed)