United States Air Force
18 May 1955

Operation Handclasp II: Four F-84G Thunderjets flew non-stop from Tokyo, Japan to Williamstown (130 miles north of Sydney, Australia). These jets covered 4,840 miles in 12 hours 10 minutes with a cruising spped of 483 mph.

Gen. Laurence S. Kuter, Commanding General of the Far East Air Forces, talks to the four pilots upon their return. Left to right: Gen. Kuter, Col Harold M. McClelland, Lt. Col. Virgil K. Meroney, 1st Lt. William E. Miller and 1st Lt. Gerald J. Robinso