Lt. Fred Poats, a pilot with the 118th TRS, 23rd FG in China. He took the color pictures of the squadron while in China.

Lt. Fred Poats

P-51C, 118th TRS, 23rd FG at Laohwangping, China, June 1945. The &quot;Black Lightning&quot; squadron was a Connecticut National Guard unit activated in 1941 and eventually assigned the the famous 23rd FG in China from 1944 - 1945. The CO, LtCol McComas would become the 4th highest scoring Ace in the 14th AF and the only Ace-in-a-day in the 14th AF.

P-51C of the &quot;Black Lightning&quot; Squadron

This airplane was previously flown by Lt. Ray Crowell and was named, at that time, &quot;Duchess&quot; after his wife. Lt. Poats received this airplane when Lt. Crowell received a P-51D, &quot;Duchess&quot;.