Spotters followed specific protocols in monitoring the skies for aircraft.

ID: 5316
This file appears in: Eyes to the Skies!

Barb Mortenson of Gorham, New Hampshire demonstrates binoculars’ restricted use to identify planes. Actual ground observing or “spotting” was done with the naked eyes. Spotters followed specific protocols in cooperation with the United States Air Force. Image courtesy United States Library of Congress.

This file appears in: Eyes to the Skies!

By Mary R. Bass
After the close of World War II, world power relations shifted. A global clash with USSR had Americans uneasy, particularly after the Soviets developed nuclear weaponry in 1949. In response to global Soviet aggression, Congress approved measures to…