This PBY is on the ramp across from Sitka, Alaska in July 1949. The crew, including Lt. Gene Guthrie, was on a special two weeks training duty conducting an aerial survey of Southeast Alaska for possible seaplane anchorages.

The aircraft and crew were attached to the Seaplane Tender U.S.S. Pine Island part of the North Pacific Fleet consisting of two Seaplane tenders and several destroyers.