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Lloyd Ponder, World War II POW


WWII, POW survivor shares tale of hope, determination, resilience

Lloyd Ponder, World War II veteran, shares memorabilia he collected during his time as a prisoner of war in the Philippines, Nov. 29, 2017, in Natchitoches, La. During his time in captivity, Ponder took a small piece of a mirror in which he welded a frame for and snuck into a Japanese-controlled camp in hopes he would not get caught with it. He managed to keep and hide the mirror with him during his time as a POW, and still has it today to help share his story during his time of hardship overseas during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Erin Trower)

Related Imagery
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Hayley James (right) assumes command of the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron (STOS) from U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Billings (left), commander of the 595th Command and Control Group, during a change of command ceremony at U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) headquarters on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., June 16, 2017. As commander of the 625th STOS, James leads an organization that executes and supports USSTRATCOM and Air Force Global Strike Command missions with continuous, rapid, accurate and survivable nuclear operations. Airmen from the 625th STOS serve on the U.S. Navy’s E-6B Mercury aircraft to provide a survivable means to launch the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile force. James previously served as the 625th STOS director of operations before succeeding U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Deane Konowicz as squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Hayley James delivers remarks after assuming command of the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron (STOS) during a change of command ceremony at U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) headquarters on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., June 16, 2017. As commander of the 625th STOS, James leads an organization that executes and supports USSTRATCOM and Air Force Global Strike Command missions with continuous, rapid, accurate and survivable nuclear operations. Airmen from the 625th STOS serve on the U.S. Navy’s E-6B Mercury aircraft to provide a survivable means to launch the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile force. James previously served as the 625th STOS director of operations before succeeding U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Deane Konowicz as squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford (left) attaches the Joint Meritorious Unit Award streamer on the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) guidon during a change of command ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Nov. 3, 2016. The award was presented to USSTRATCOM and its components, who distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service from Nov. 16, 2013, to Nov. 3, 2016. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter presided over the change of command and thanked Adm. Cecil D. Haney (right), outgoing USSTRATCOM commander, for his service. He also congratulated Gen. John E. Hyten on his appointment as the new USSTRATCOM commander. Also pictured is USSTRATCOM Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Master Sgt. Patrick F. McMahon (center). Hyten previously served as commander of Air Force Space Command, and Haney will retire from active military duty during a separate ceremony in January. One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady)
Gen. John E. Hyten (right), accepts the command guidon from Secretary of Defense Ash Carter as he assumes command of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) during a change of command ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Nov. 3, 2016. Carter presided over the change of command and provided remarks during which he congratulated Hyten on his appointment as the new USSTRATCOM commander. He also thanked Adm. Cecil D. Haney, outgoing USSTRATCOM commander, for his service. Additionally, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford provided remarks during the ceremony and presented the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to USSTRATCOM. Hyten previously served as commander of Air Force Space Command, and Haney will retire from active military duty during a separate ceremony in January. One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady)
From top to bottom, Gen. John E. Hyten, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) commander; Adm. Cecil D. Haney, former USSTRATCOM commander; and Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, salute Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at USSTRATCOM’s change of command ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Nov. 3, 2016. Carter presided over the change of command and provided remarks during which he thanked Adm. Cecil D. Haney, outgoing USSTRATCOM commander, for his service. He also congratulated Gen. John E. Hyten on his appointment as the new USSTRATCOM commander. Additionally, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford provided remarks during the ceremony and presented the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to USSTRATCOM. Hyten previously served as commander of Air Force Space Command, and Haney will retire from active military duty during a separate ceremony in January. One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Byron C. Linder)
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter (right) provides remarks during the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) change of command ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Nov. 3, 2016. Carter, who presided over the change of command, congratulated Gen. John E. Hyten (seated right) on his appointment as the new USSTRATCOM commander. He also thanked Adm. Cecil D. Haney (seated center), outgoing USSTRATCOM commander, for his service. Additionally, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford (seated left) provided remarks during the ceremony and presented the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to USSTRATCOM. Hyten previously served as commander of Air Force Space Command, and Haney will retire from active military duty during a separate ceremony in January. One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady)
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter provides remarks during the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) change of command ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Nov. 3, 2016. Carter, who presided over the change of command, congratulated Gen. John E. Hyten on his appointment as the new USSTRATCOM commander. He also thanked Adm. Cecil D. Haney, outgoing USSTRATCOM commander, for his service. Additionally, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford provided remarks during the ceremony and presented the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to USSTRATCOM. Hyten previously served as commander of Air Force Space Command, and Haney will retire from active military duty during a separate ceremony in January. One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady)
Gen. John E. Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) provided remarks during the change of command ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Nov. 3, 2016. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter presided over the change of command and provided remarks during which he congratulated Hyten on his appointment as the new USSTRATCOM commander. He also thanked Adm. Cecil D. Haney, outgoing USSTRATCOM commander, for his service. Additionally, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford provided remarks during the ceremony and presented the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to USSTRATCOM. Hyten previously served as commander of Air Force Space Command, and Haney will retire from active military duty during a separate ceremony in January. One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady)
Members of the 90th Missile Wing (MW) at F.E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB), Wyo., pose for a group photo in front of a B-2 Spirit at Whiteman AFB, Mo., April 14, 2016. The 90th MW and the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings are participating in a “sister-base” partnership, officially named the Bomber Missile Exchange Course, which allows the organizations to learn from each other through scheduled visits.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Thomas, left, the 90th Communications Squadron NCO in charge of visual imagery and intrusion detection systems, and Master Sgt. George V. Shepherd III, a 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron flight chief, read an informational book about the retired Oscar-1 missile alert facility at Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Mo., April 14, 2016. Members of the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., visited Whiteman to observe how the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings execute vital strategic deterrence missions on a day-to-day basis and during heightened-alert operations.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin Lamb, the 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) NCO in charge of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), visits with Brian Poese, the 509th LRS vehicle management flight chief, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., April 14, 2016. While members of the 90th Missile Wing were at Whiteman, they visited their 509th Bomb Wing counterparts and observed the way they operate.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dexter Gore, right, the 509th Communications Squadron NCO in charge of intrusion detection systems, discusses an infrared perimeter intrusion detections system in the Air Force Global Strike Command’s electronic security systems training lab with Staff Sgt. Robert Thomas, left, the 90th Communications Squadron NCO in charge of visual imagery and intrusion detection systems, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., April 13, 2016. Eleven Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., participated in a sister wing exchange at Whiteman to connect and share information and ideas.