Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard transfer
Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard transfer the casket of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin to an awaiting hearse during funeral services as senior leadership render salutes, Dec. 23, 2019, i... More
The first sections of an iconic World War II-era B-17
The first sections of an iconic World War II-era B-17 “Flying Fortress” bomber arrived at the Museum of Aviation at Robins on Aug. 20. The aircraft which had previously been on outdoor public display at Grissom... More
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, salutes the children of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin on Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. McLaughlin was a World War II B-1... More
Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard Honor
Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard Honor Guard render a 21-gun salute at the funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin, Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. McLaughlin was a World War II B-... More
James Kemp McLaughlin Jr. (right) shakes the hand of
James Kemp McLaughlin Jr. (right) shakes the hand of Col. Michael Cadle, the 130th Airlift Wing Vice Commander, at the funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin on Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. M... More
Fred Parker, a veteran who worked on B-17s during WWII,
Fred Parker, a veteran who worked on B-17s during WWII, smiles aboard Aluminum Overcast, a B-17 built in 1945, prior to taking off, May 10, 2017 at the Olympic Flight Museum in Tumwater, Wash. B-17s dropped mor... More
Diana Matibe and Ashley Lowry, Air Force Junior ROTC
Diana Matibe and Ashley Lowry, Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from Warner Robins High School, thank World War II veterans for their service during a reception at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Ga., Aug.... More
A fully-restored B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed Aluminum
A fully-restored B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed Aluminum Overcast sits on the runway at the Olympic Flight Museum, May 10, 2017 in Tumwater, Wash. Members of the media had the opportunity to fly on the historic... More
Senior Airman Donald Lambert, a member of the 130th
Senior Airman Donald Lambert, a member of the 130th Airlift Wing Honor Guard, inspects a flag before handing it off at the funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin on Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.V... More
The funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin
The funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin was held Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. McLaughlin was a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress pilot who flew 39 total combat missions and was the founder... More
West Virginia Air National Guard members and leadership
West Virginia Air National Guard members and leadership listen as a speech is given at the funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin on Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. McLaughlin was a World War II... More
Crawford Hicks, B-17 pilot, addresses the audience
Crawford Hicks, B-17 pilot, addresses the audience during a reception held at the museum in Warner Robins, Ga., Aug. 21. Hicks was shot down May 30, 1944, becoming a prisoner of war and was held captive until A... More
A group of veterans, who once served as B-17 crew members
A group of veterans, who once served as B-17 crew members during World War II, render honors during the singing of the national anthem Aug. 21 at a reception in the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Ga. The ... More
Betty Lausch (left), who bucked rivets during WWII,
Betty Lausch (left), who bucked rivets during WWII, talks with Marie Samson, who works with museums to pay homage to “Rosie the Riveter” women of WWII, during an event at the Olympic Flight Museum honoring vete... More
The first sections of an iconic World War II-era B-17
The first sections of an iconic World War II-era B-17 “Flying Fortress” bomber arrived at the Museum of Aviation at Robins on Aug. 20. The aircraft which had previously been on outdoor public display at Grissom... More
Former U.S. Air Force Capt. Jerry Neal, left, a bomber
Former U.S. Air Force Capt. Jerry Neal, left, a bomber pilot in World War II, and his wife Camilla Neal speak to Airmen from the 118th Wing March 27, 2019 at Berry Field Air National Guard Base, Nashville, Tenn... More
Aluminum Overcast, a 77-year-old B-17 carrying passengers
Aluminum Overcast, a 77-year-old B-17 carrying passengers from the local community and WWII veterans, flies over the Puget Sound, May 10, 2017 in Olympia, Wash. Of the 12,732 B-17s produced between 1935 and 194... More
Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard Honor
Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard Honor Guard inspect a U.S. Flag during the funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin, Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. McLaughlin was a World War II B... More
Tech. Sgt. Sarah Monroe, a member of the 130th Airlift
Tech. Sgt. Sarah Monroe, a member of the 130th Airlift Wing Honor Guard, renders a salute to Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, at the funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James K... More
A B-17 Flying Fortress, flies over Olympia, Wash.,
A B-17 Flying Fortress, flies over Olympia, Wash., May 10, 2017. The nose turret, where the navigator and bombardier traditionally sat, is accessible through a small passageway under the pilot’s seats and yield... More
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, delivers a U.S. Flag to the daughter of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin on Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. McLaughlin was a ... More
Tech. Sgt. Justin Blankenship, a Chaplain Assistant
Tech. Sgt. Justin Blankenship, a Chaplain Assistant assigned to the 167th Airlift Wing, prepares to play the bugle at the funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin on Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va... More
Former U.S. Air Force Capt. Jerry Neal, a bomber pilot
Former U.S. Air Force Capt. Jerry Neal, a bomber pilot in World War II, speaks to Airmen from the 118th Wing March 27, 2019 at Berry Field Air National Guard Base, Nashville, Tennessee. Neal visited the 118th W... More
B-17 undergoes heavy maintenance in Oklahoma City in 1942.
A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress undergoes heavy engine maintenance at the Oklahoma City Air Depot in this undated photo from 1942. B-17s received Norden bombsight upgrades at the facility. Courtesy photo Tinker A... More
Former U.S. Air Force Capt. Jerry Neal, center left,
Former U.S. Air Force Capt. Jerry Neal, center left, a bomber pilot in World War II, is briefed by Airmen from the 118th Wing March 27, 2019 at Berry Field Air National Guard Base, Nashville, Tennessee. Neal vi... More
(From left) Clyde Mathe, Donald Meck and Durward Swanson,
(From left) Clyde Mathe, Donald Meck and Durward Swanson, B-17 crew members during World War II, render honors during the singing of the national anthem at a reception in the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins... More
A B-17 Flying Fortress flies over the skies of Olympia,
A B-17 Flying Fortress flies over the skies of Olympia, Wash., May 10, 2017. The B-17 had 13, 50-caliber M2 Browning machine guns for defense. The long range capabilities of the B-17 meant they would often fly ... More
Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard (WVANG)
Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard (WVANG) honor guard look on as the casket of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin arrives, Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. McLaughlin was a World War II B-... More
Col. Jeffrey King, Robins’ installation and 78th Air
Col. Jeffrey King, Robins’ installation and 78th Air Base Wing commander, greets John Barrett, Army veteran, during a reception at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Ga., Aug. 21. Barrett – a private firs... More
Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from Warner Robins High
Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from Warner Robins High School thank World War II veterans for their service, during a reception held at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Ga. on Aug. 21. John Barrett, an Ar... More
The first sections of an iconic World War II-era B-17
The first sections of an iconic World War II-era B-17 “Flying Fortress” bomber arrived at the Museum of Aviation at Robins on Aug. 20. The aircraft which had previously been on outdoor public display at Grissom... More
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, renders a salute as members of the West Virginia Air National Guard Honor Guard deliver the casket of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLau... More
Erwin Ross, Robins Museum of Aviation restoration
Erwin Ross, Robins Museum of Aviation restoration specialist, straps a B-17 “Flying Fortress” engine to a forklift. The first sections of the iconic World War II-era bomber arrived at the museum on Aug. 20. The... More
Col. Jeffrey King, Robins’ installation and 78th Air
Col. Jeffrey King, Robins’ installation and 78th Air Base Wing commander, addresses an audience Aug. 21 during a reception at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Ga. The reception honored veterans who serv... More
A 77-year-old B-17 nicknamed Aluminum Overcast flies
A 77-year-old B-17 nicknamed Aluminum Overcast flies over Olympia, Wash., May 10, 2017. During WWII, the B-17 had a crew of 10 men, a maximum speed of 287 miles per hour, and a maximum ceiling of 35,600 feet. (... More
Donald Meck -- B-17 gunner who trained with the Berneburg
Donald Meck -- B-17 gunner who trained with the Berneburg crew while in Mississippi and flew the B-17 D-Day Dottie during his tour in England -- reflects on his service during a reception held at the Museum of ... More
Former U.S. Air Force Capt. Jerry Neal, center left,
Former U.S. Air Force Capt. Jerry Neal, center left, a bomber pilot in World War II, and his wife Camilla Neal, center, pose for a group photo with Airmen from the 118th Wing March 27, 2019 at Berry Field Air N... More
Mike Rowland, Museum of Aviation curator, addresses
Mike Rowland, Museum of Aviation curator, addresses an audience during a reception held at the museum in Warner Robins, Ga., Aug. 21. The reception honored veterans who served aboard B-17s and celebrated the ar... More
Senior Airman Donald Lambert, a member of the 130th
Senior Airman Donald Lambert, a member of the 130th Airlift Wing Honor Guard, inspects a flag before handing it off at the funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin on Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.V... More
Mike Rowland, Museum of Aviation curator, addresses
Mike Rowland, Museum of Aviation curator, addresses an audience during a reception held at the museum in Warner Robins, Ga., Aug. 21. The reception honored veterans who served aboard B-17s and celebrated the ar... More
Lisa Fruge Cirilli, BAE Assistance and Aerospace Industry
Lisa Fruge Cirilli, BAE Assistance and Aerospace Industry Committee chairperson, gets a model B-17 aircraft autographed by a group of World War II veterans during a reception Aug. 21 at the Museum of Aviation i... More
Tech. Sgt. William Arnold (left) and Tech. Sgt. Roger
Tech. Sgt. William Arnold (left) and Tech. Sgt. Roger Pettit, both members of the 130th Airlift Wing, stand by the casket of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin during funeral services, Dec. 23, 2019, in Ch... More
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, delivers a speech at the funeral of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin on Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. McLaughlin was a Worl... More
Retired Tech. Sgt. Emil Dihlmann poses for a picture
Retired Tech. Sgt. Emil Dihlmann poses for a picture with his great granddaughter at the soldier’s Home in Holyoke, Mass., in early 2013. Dihlmann served at RAF Alconbury from 1943 to 1945 and he had such fond ... More
Durward Swanson, Army Air Force veteran, autographs
Durward Swanson, Army Air Force veteran, autographs a B-17 model aircraft during a reception Aug. 21at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Ga. Swanson arrived at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii in 1939. Surv... More
Nettie Mathe, spouse of veteran Clyde Mathe greets
Nettie Mathe, spouse of veteran Clyde Mathe greets John Barrett, Army veteran, during a reception at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Ga., Aug. 21. Barrett – a private first class during the war – recei... More
Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard Honor
Members of the West Virginia Air National Guard Honor Guard deliver the casket of Brig. Gen. (ret.) James Kemp McLaughlin, Dec. 23, 2019, in Charleston, W.Va. McLaughlin was a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress ... More