poadeleted1
Deleted by request
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- Apr 8, 2005
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BUFF Turns 50
March 17, 2006
Barksdale AFB, LA. (MILITARY.COM)
The B-52 Stratofortress reached a milestone March 12 with the 50th anniversary of the first B-52 wing being declared combat-ready. The 93rd Bombardment Wing was declared combat-ready March 12, 1956, after being activated June 29, 1955. Although it had been declared combat-ready for 10 years, the first time a B-52 was involved in combat wasn’t until June 18, 1965, when aircrews were involved in Vietnam, said Buck Rigg, 8th Air Force museum director.
The decision to declare the 93rd BW, and all other bombardment units that followed, combat-ready was historically significant in two ways, Mr. Rigg said. “The first was that America now had at its disposal the professionals who could meet any expectation the world might create, flying the ultimate in long-range bombardment aircraft, the B-52,” Mr. Rigg said. “By having the B-52 crews combat certified, we could rest assured that the crews were well-trained and most importantly, disciplined to carry out any assigned task, anywhere around the world.”
Mr. Rigg said the second historical significance the combat-ready decision had was in the two missions the B-52s had in the 1950s—high-altitude, long-range bombardment and reconnaissance. “These (new) missions and capabilities would become one of our greatest strengths,” Mr. Rigg said. “And this would eventually lead to the end of the Cold War.”
The adaptability of the B-52 has made the difference since the combat-ready decision was made, said Lt. Col. Parker Northrup, 11th Bomb Squadron commander. “No other strike platform has demonstrated the versatility necessary to meet national security requirements across the spectrum of conflict: from current-day Afghanistan, the Cold War and Desert Storm; from small-scale contingencies to superpower politics of the Cold War,” the colonel said.
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If you’ve ever stood close to the flightline and watched one of these lumbering giants take off, two thoughts come to mind: (1) “Damn! That thing sure makes a lot of noise!”, and (2) “No freaking way that durned thing is going to get off the ground!”. Your first thought is revised as the eight Pratt & Whitney jet engines ramp up to takeoff speed and the screaming noise becomes almost unbearable. Your second thought is further reinforced as you watch this thing roll down the runway and you see the damn wings start flapping up and down like a bird.
I’ve watched quite a few of these old birds takeoff and land and it never ceases to amaze me. The thing weighs over 90 tons (stripped down to t-shirt and shorts) but with a full bomb load will weigh as much as 290 tons. The plane’s wingspan (185 feet, tip to tip) is longer than the body (159 feet). The thing that always grabs my attention though is the tail. That tail stands up so high over the plane that it reminds me of a shark fin ... which is quite appropriate. With in-air refueling, these bad boys can get anywhere on the globe in hours. Once they get there, there’s no place to hide.
So say happy 50th buff-day to the airplane that helped coin the phrase, “Peace Is Our Profession.” After all, nothing quite says “peace” like the thought of having one of these Stratofortresses appear over your head. It’s enough to make anyone sit down and STFU ...
(ten points extra credit if you know where the nickname BUFF comes from)
March 17, 2006
The B-52 Stratofortress reached a milestone March 12 with the 50th anniversary of the first B-52 wing being declared combat-ready. The 93rd Bombardment Wing was declared combat-ready March 12, 1956, after being activated June 29, 1955. Although it had been declared combat-ready for 10 years, the first time a B-52 was involved in combat wasn’t until June 18, 1965, when aircrews were involved in Vietnam, said Buck Rigg, 8th Air Force museum director.
The decision to declare the 93rd BW, and all other bombardment units that followed, combat-ready was historically significant in two ways, Mr. Rigg said. “The first was that America now had at its disposal the professionals who could meet any expectation the world might create, flying the ultimate in long-range bombardment aircraft, the B-52,” Mr. Rigg said. “By having the B-52 crews combat certified, we could rest assured that the crews were well-trained and most importantly, disciplined to carry out any assigned task, anywhere around the world.”
Mr. Rigg said the second historical significance the combat-ready decision had was in the two missions the B-52s had in the 1950s—high-altitude, long-range bombardment and reconnaissance. “These (new) missions and capabilities would become one of our greatest strengths,” Mr. Rigg said. “And this would eventually lead to the end of the Cold War.”
The adaptability of the B-52 has made the difference since the combat-ready decision was made, said Lt. Col. Parker Northrup, 11th Bomb Squadron commander. “No other strike platform has demonstrated the versatility necessary to meet national security requirements across the spectrum of conflict: from current-day Afghanistan, the Cold War and Desert Storm; from small-scale contingencies to superpower politics of the Cold War,” the colonel said.
*******************************************
If you’ve ever stood close to the flightline and watched one of these lumbering giants take off, two thoughts come to mind: (1) “Damn! That thing sure makes a lot of noise!”, and (2) “No freaking way that durned thing is going to get off the ground!”. Your first thought is revised as the eight Pratt & Whitney jet engines ramp up to takeoff speed and the screaming noise becomes almost unbearable. Your second thought is further reinforced as you watch this thing roll down the runway and you see the damn wings start flapping up and down like a bird.
I’ve watched quite a few of these old birds takeoff and land and it never ceases to amaze me. The thing weighs over 90 tons (stripped down to t-shirt and shorts) but with a full bomb load will weigh as much as 290 tons. The plane’s wingspan (185 feet, tip to tip) is longer than the body (159 feet). The thing that always grabs my attention though is the tail. That tail stands up so high over the plane that it reminds me of a shark fin ... which is quite appropriate. With in-air refueling, these bad boys can get anywhere on the globe in hours. Once they get there, there’s no place to hide.
So say happy 50th buff-day to the airplane that helped coin the phrase, “Peace Is Our Profession.” After all, nothing quite says “peace” like the thought of having one of these Stratofortresses appear over your head. It’s enough to make anyone sit down and STFU ...
(ten points extra credit if you know where the nickname BUFF comes from)
