190521-F-XN348-0173 A U.S. B-52H Stratofortress prepares to join with Qatar Emiri Air Force Mirage 2000s and U.S. F-35A Lightning IIs to fly in formation over Southwest Asia, May 21, 2019. This flight was conducted to continue building military-to-military relationships with the QEAF. The B-52H is part of the Bomber Task Force deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keifer Bowes)
180802-F-FF346-1209 Two B-52H Stratofortress bombers fly over the Pacific Ocean during a routine training mission Aug. 2, 2018. This mission was flown in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence operations, which are a key component to improving combined and joint service interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gerald R. Willis)
BTF Europe-Eastern Mediterranean A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., flies over the Mediterranean Sea on a Bomber Task Force Europe mission, Sept. 16, 2020. Bomber Task Force missions familiarize aircrews with conducting operations in various geographic combatant commands’ areas of responsibility to enhance readiness and provide the training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Burt Traynor)
210729-F-JC316-3003 B-52H Stratofortresses land after flying a mission as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 21 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, 29 July 2021. Talisman Sabre supports the Indo-Pacific Pathways initiative to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and bolstering interoperability with allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photos by 1st Lt. Ryan Walsh)
180406-F-CH060-0045 A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., approaches the flightline at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, April 6, 2018. Two U.S. Air Force bombers visited the base in Australia’s Northern Territory to support the U.S. Pacific Command’s Enhanced Air Cooperation initiative in cooperation with RAAF joint terminal attack controller teams. The EAC comprises a range of air exercises and training activities designed to enhance regional cooperation, coordination and interoperability between Australian and U.S. service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander W. Riedel)
Team Minot’s aircraft maintainers keep B-52s flying high A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 69th Bomb Squadron, takes off from the runway at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 28, 2024. Each of the B-52’s eight engines is capable of producing up to 17,000 pounds of thrust; allowing it to fly at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, while carrying a payload of up to 70,000 pounds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kyle Wilson)
B-52H Stratofortress A B-52H Stratofortress takes off after being taken out of long term storage Feb. 13, 2015, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The aircraft was decommissioned in 2008 and has spent the last seven years sitting in the “Boneyard,” but was selected to be returned to active status and will eventually rejoin the B-52 fleet. The B-52 was flown by the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Greg Steele)
4 B-52s arrive at Andersen AFB for Bomber Task Force deployment A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., arrives at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of a Bomber Task Force deployment, Jan. 26, 2020. The aircraft, from the 96th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale AFB, La., deployed in support of Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with allies, partners and joint forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Denise C. Guiao-Corpuz)
Up close and personal A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, prepares for flight at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 7, 2024. U.S. European Command’s joint forces are engaged, postured and ready with credible force to assure, deter and defend in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer)
B-52H Stratofortress receives fuel A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress receives fuel via aerial refueling from a KC-10 Extender above the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 1, 2019. The B-52H, deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., is part of a Bomber Task Force operating out of RAF Fairford, United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Snider)
140922-F-QP609-004 An unarmed AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile is released from a B-52H Stratofortress Sept. 22, 2014, over the Utah Test and Training Range during a Nuclear Weapons System Evaluation Program sortie. Conducted by Airmen from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., the launch was part of an end-to-end operational evaluation of 8th Air Force and Task Force 204’s ability to pull an ALCM from storage, load it aboard an aircraft, execute a simulated combat mission tasking and successfully deliver the weapon from the aircraft to its final target. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Roidan Carlson)
Bombs Away OVER NEVADA — A B-52H Stratofortress drops a load of M-117 750-pound bombs during a training run here. During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces. The first Gulf War saw the longest strike mission in the history of aerial warfare when B-52s took off from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., launched conventional air-launched cruise missiles and returned to Barksdale — a 35-hour, non-stop combat mission. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Polar Growl A B-52H Stratofortress lands at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Apr. 2, 2015, after completing a U.S. Strategic Command-directed training mission, Polar Growl. The round-trip sortie from their home base to the North Sea region allowed the aircrews to hone their navigation skills and enhanced their ability to work with allied partners. STRATCOM is one of nine Defense Department unified combatant commands and is charged with 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/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
Chute out A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., lands on the flightline in support of exercise Prairie Vigilance and Bayou Vigilance 24-2 at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 4, 2024. Air Force Global Strike Command maintains a credible strategic capability that enhances deterrence of threats to the United States, its allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Nottingham)