boeingb17fortress

43-38140 was assigned to 832BS 486BG (also 8th AF) and it seems either Keeler (or his entire crew) was transferred to this unit almost immediately after arrival, since he states "Our airplane". Could have been temporary of course....
Stig

Delivered Cheyenne, WY 29/6/44; Kearney, NE 11/7/44; Grenier, ME 16/7/44; Assigned 832BS/486BG [3R-S] Sudbury 17/7/44; Missing in Action Merseburg 2/11/44 with Albert Pierce, Corbin Willis, Bob Lansche, Howard Butler, Ken Mulllen (5 Prisoner of War); Neil Hampton, Albert Siudeikis, Chas Warren, Steve Nemes (4 KIA); flak, crashed Erkrath, Germany Missing Air Crew Report 10167.

Poltava That is where the Luftwaffe made a surprise attack after shadowing the USAAF bombers. Stig

This is a B-17G 43-38067 which came to 412BS 95BG as QW-E. in Aug 1944.
The Guys look fresh so maybe taken shortly after its arrival.
Stig

Delivered Cheyenne, WY 21/6/44; Kearney, NE 16/7/44; Dow Fd, ME 3/8/44; Assigned 412BS/95BG [QW-E] Horham 4/8/44, aka BIG CHIEF ILLINIWEEK; force landed battle damaged 16/11/44 RAF Woodbridge, UK; then force landed B-58 AF Melsbroek, Bel 6/5/45; and at A-92 AF St Trond, Bel; Returned to USA Bradley, CT 27/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, TX 1/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman, AZ 20/11/45.

Seems Keeler and his crew were in on the Operation Frantic (shuttle missions by 8th and 15th AF England/Italy - Russia and back again) Since Keeler was assigned to 8th AF units their mission must have made them go back via Italy. Stig