Col. Arthur R. DeBolt, commander of the 2nd ACG, stands in front of his personal aircraft, Stinky, with his armorer and crew chief. (U.S. Army Air Forces archives)
327th Airdrome Squadron personnel lay pierced steel planking for ramp parking at Cox’s Bazar three days before the start of 2nd ACG combat operations. (U.S. Army Air Forces archives)
Sporting the group’s “!” insignia, a CG-4A is towed from Kalaikunda to Sinthe. (U.S. Army Air Forces archives)
Gurkhas board a 317th Troop Carrier Squadron C-47 for transport to Thabutkon. (U.S. Army Air Forces archives)
A pair of P-51s takes off from Cox’s Bazar on the 2nd ACG’s first combat mission, February 14, 1945. (U.S. Army Air Forces archives)
2nd ACG L-5s were tossed around like toys when a tornado hit Kalaikunda on March 12, 1945. (U.S. Army Air Forces archives)
The fighter pilots gather on the night of March 14 for a briefing on the Don Muang raid. (U.S. Army Air Forces archives)
2nd ACG P-51s, carrying their distinctive lightning bolt insignia, on a pierced steel planking hardstand at Cox’s Bazar. (Courtesy of the World War II Air Commando Association via Edward Young)
Gen. George Stratemeyer awards the Silver Star to Lt. Col. Levi R. Chase Jr. (U.S. Army Air Forces archives)
Carrying supply parapacks beneath their wings, a trio of 317th Troop Carrier Squadron C-47s near Rangoon. (U.S. Army Air Forces archives)