Waist gunners

George Jahnke poses next to B-17 gunner's equipment at the Malmstrom Museum. Mr. Jahnke was the right wing waist gunner on board B-17E "Patches" and flew 13 combat missions over Germany. The Airman bailed out of Patches on the 13th mission and landed on top of a German farmer. He was then taken to a German POW camp where he stayed for nearly two years before escaping to allied territory. The retired Air Force master sergeant trained at Malmstrom in 1943 and now makes his home in Augusta, Mont. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Dillon White)

2 gallons "Strato Blue" paint, STAT!

A 1963 Dodge Power-Wagon response ambulance is once again on display at the Malmstrom Museum after the 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron allied trades shop moved it back into position April 10, following more than 160 man hours of disassembly, sanding and painting. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Dillon White)

Know your roots

A model of a T-33 "Shooting Star" is one of many model aircraft in the large collection on display at the Malmstrom Museum. T-33 aircraft were assigned to Malmstrom from 1953 to 1972. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Dillon White)

Know your roots

A diorama depicting a hangar during the Lend-Lease program, which provided equipment and aircraft to Russia during World War II is on display at the Malmstrom Museum. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Dillon White)

Back in the day

Airmen slept in barracks like these in the early 40's. Above the rack to the left is a photo of Betty Grable and in the foreground is a coke-burning stove. Each barracks contained three stoves. (Photo courtesy of the Malmstrom Museum)

P-63

A maintenance crew comprised of women process a P-63 in the final processing hanger at Great Falls Army Air Base, June 1945. (photo courtesy of the Malmstrom Museum)