B-52 Morning MITO (Minimum Interval Take Off)

Video by Tech. Sgt. Mark Bell and Airman 1st Class Michael Connors 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
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[@cmscms123456]

Back in the mid 1970's Barksdale had a double wing of B-52's and KC-135. On MITO days, 30 B-52's could turn a clear day into a dark day.

[@eagle6754]

So did Ellsworth; double wing of B-52H's, KC-135A's and a few EC-135's. MITO days were awesome!

[@morgus8384]

In the 80’s too, I helped launch them.. truly awesome

[@robertmcdaniel9456]

USAF veteran 1980-1984 at a SAC base in North Dakota. God Bless America!!!!

[@sb859]

R.I.P NEANDERTHAL, Aircraft 0047, the last jet to takeoff in this video at 3:35. She gave her life on the end of the runway at Guam in 2016, but her crew all escaped safely. Thanks for your 55 years of keeping us all safe, ol' girl.

[@geraldmorain3166]

Look at that.

[@geraldmorain3166]

Crew chief on one two years younger than me.

[@DaveS0035]

I served from 1966 to 1970, first at Westover AFB and then Barksdale AFB, and can remember the alerts being called at 2 in the morning and hearing these planes taking off one after the other. Since our barracks was close to the end of the runway at Westover you just didn't sleep through this.

[@joelt2105]

I used to love going down to the flight line to watch these magnificent machines fly. I may have had nothing to do with planes, while in the Air Force, being an x-ray tech, it did not dampen my love of watching the B-52's scream down the runway!

[@andyl9740]

This is something I witnessed more than once at Seymour Johnson 1967 - 1969. The base then was home to a SAC bomb wing as well as a TAC fighter wing. It's no less awesome today as it was then.

[@onlyinfresno]

Makes me really proud to say I'm an Air Force Veteran! Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@Zoydian]

OMG, this is sooooo awesome!!! Nothing more awe-inspiring than B-52s launching one after the other! I think it's time for a wide screen documentary on B-52H operations, with all the sights and sounds involved in maintaining and keeping these giants in the air, filmed with professional equipment to catch even the smallest detail. Just imagine sitting in a movie theater and watching them roll, take off and land on a BIG screen... The idea alone gives me goosebumps!!

[@RainbowManification]

My right ear enjoyed this

[@DerekDtj]

Pretty camera work, brings back a lot of memories, but unfortunately this was NOT a MITO as we know it. I participated in one while in SAC, the year that every SAC wing launched it's alert force en toto. We had 15KCs, followed by 15 B-52Ds, and the turbulence in #23 was incredible after unstick!! Note the absence of smoke and 4 or 5 aircraft, tightly bunched on departure from Minot. The video is a controlled 1 min departure between the aircraft w/some of the intervals edited out.

[@davidhogan578]

I was towing a Huey while TDY at Andersen AFB, Guam sometime in '66. I crossed one runway and waited for the tower to give me the "green" to cross the other runway. It didn't come but, load of BUFFS did start their rolls for takeoffs (I had no ear protection other than my fingers). I was at the 8K foot mark. After about a dozen or so BUFFS took off, the KC-135's started their takeoffs. Guess the boys in the tower had a good laugh watching me with my fingers in my ears!

[@andysmith1338]

The thunderous roaring sound of Freedom!!

[@marciethomas7371]

After four years working on the B-52G, tail guns, and watching MITO in person, I have to say the editing was not the best I have seen. A far better one is Rock Hudson A Gathering of Eagles, it was filmed at Beal AFB.

[@bobamot]

yes, very true

[@farklefuster6876]

Yep

[@Bbendfender]

Very impressive. I was stationed at a SAC base (McConnell AFB) and it was so moving to see a cell of KC-135's take off. Very noisy and smoky back in the day.

[@lvsluggo007]

When I was in the Army, back in 1972, stationed at Ft Hood TX, I used to go up to Ft Worth TX on weekends. I often hit the NCO club on Carswell AFB for lunch. One time, while chowing down at the club, I heard all sorts of hell break loose outside, and what sounded like sirens. I asked the bartender what the heck was going on. He said it was likely a drill (I forget exactly what he called it), and if it was, I'd see a bunch of BUFFs taking off like this.. was VERY cool!!

[@enochpowelghost]

engines a bit smokey but then again these old gals have been around for a while keeping the peace!

[@edwardpate6128]

+enoch powellsghost They sure don't smoke as much as the originals though!

[@phillipmcmurran8991]

I was on B-52Gs on Nuke Alert in the 70s. The MITO interval between the aircraft was 15 sec. That meant that there were 3 aircraft on the runway trying to get off the ground! We were told if there was a problem to run off the end of the runway so it would be clear for the other AC.

[@mattsieluv]

As far as I've read, no B-52 ever overran the runway during a MITO exercise. There have a been a couple instances where it happened in regular take-off runs; a D model at Kadena in 1968 was one notable one, in which all crew memembers were killed. Another D overran on landing at Da Nang in 1967. Only the tail-gunner survived.

[@DerekDtj]

Re the above accident, we'd had the brakes lock up on us while taxiing out a few days earlier and aborted our mission. A few days later, Capt. Dillworth was the A/C on the same aircraft. The brakes locked on takeoff roll, and he decided to abort rather than continue the takeoff. Only two crewdogs died, both from ignited fuel in a ditch and they avoided a horrible international incident had they crashed into the heavily populated area just North of the runway.

[@jackwagner759]

mattsieluv I was at Mather that day the Buff crashed. I was actually a jet engine mechanic in the 320th. The first bomber took off dry and the second one took off wet. The second bomber was catching up with the first bomber, the pilot pulled back on the throttles before he depressurized the water system causing the engines to flame out. The water system had no safety features on it. A few months went by and the Air Force came out with modification to the water system. We installed a micro switch in the system, that when the throttles were pulled below 90% the system would de-energize but stay pressurized. I know I will never forget that day.

[@mattsieluv]

Derek Detjen Thanks for sharing more about that crash. I forgot that most of the crew did survive. There was one in 1959 involving a B model at Castle where the pilot aborted the takeoff but couldn't stop and ran off the end of the runway. All the crew made it out safely.

[@mattsieluv]

jack wagner I had read that the BUFF that had taken off first was an H, but apparently it was wrong. It was also a G. The one that crashed was from Castle and temporarily assigned to Mather. The other planes that were behind would have had to take evasive action to get around the fire and smoke from the crash.

[@markwilliamwestonwilson1503]

I lived in Rochford Essex Uk, During the first gulf war they were flying from RAF Fairford and my late Dad looked up and pointed a Cell of 3 B52s flying south over Rochford so they where going around France , And I most say it was fantastic to hear the news late that evening saying that that had just made a deposit on Baghdad, it is so memorable to me and Dad remember that until he died

[@j_wz6818]

Takes me back. I am USAF Veteran from back in the ArkLight days in UTapao and Guam. Worked fuel Systems Repair on D Models. SAC was a great show of force,Awesome guys..Thanks

[@stephenkolcinski3179]

Thank you I loved seeing this, the 5th Bomb Wing is my old unit and I can smell the JP4 just watching this.

[@paulwhite5840]

We had 15 Buffs and a slew of tankers at Fairchild. I worked nights, so after about 12 hours, including downloading the pad, they'd do the elephant walk about 0700. That would rattle me from a great sleep! Loved it!

[@Thwarptide]

I grew up an AF brat in SAC for 17 years and latter I signed up . I HATED these missions. I knew what they implied! First, alert sirens wailed and the base is shut down. Non essential personnel and dependants cleared the road! We could see flight lines and runway from our house. First off the ground while alert crews stormed the B52's was TAC (fighters). As they got airborne a mile of B52's rallied down the taxi way and without stopping they took off at intervals. Last off the ground were the refueling tankers. It's continous thunder for what seemed like forever. During this time the sirens never stopped wailing. I was terrified with each mission because we dependants on the ground never knew if it was the real thing (and our doom) or simply an exercise. Try sleeping like this every night while you're growing up.

[@kevinjeffery7763]

My dad was a navigator on the B52`s. Miss him.

[@doubledbbw]

The sounds and sights of Freedom!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kevingeib5883]

Was at barksdale afb from 70 thru 75 and remember the mito days ,very loud days there wow!

[@WQQKIE]

They're intimidating looking and sounding but such wonderful planes.

[@kenskip1]

In aviation this is known as a V-8 Get it? I worked 12 years on the B52-G model and this thing can bomb the eyes out of a turkey.Yes the engines smoke a bit however they are very reliable.For anyone that has spent any time on one it is a hydraulic mans dream or foe.Fantastic aircraft!!!

[@lezleyanne3357]

At the age of 16, I happened to be along the flight line at Barksdale AFB, during a B-52 MITO. It has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life! There will ALWAYS be a place in my heart for the B-52!

[@michaelclendenen4005]

Great plane when I worked in Dallas they fly over on there way to base outside of white settlement you could always tell a 52 by its. Large tail wing

[@semco72057]

That reminds me of the ORI's I went through at both Minot, and Barksdale AFB's. That is a stressful time for everyone on the base.

[@aroostookboy1]

I saw this happen many time. I grew up in Limestone, Maine, Loring AFB was in my back yard.

[@Travis_661]

I remember working at the golf course in Minot, ND watching them practice this during the summer.

[@dsofe4879]

Its amazing that those 8 engines combined produce about the same amount of thrust as a single modern GE90 engine on a 777.

[@MaraAmaraaaa]

WHAT? XD

[@dsofe4879]

MIrza Haqul M 8 TF33s together produce about 600 kN of thrust, the GE90-115B has produced over 570 kN in testing. Its not exactly the same, but its pretty close.

[@jrftworth]

We don't use that metric crap here in the U.S.we use conventional measure. The B-52's engines create 136,000 lbs of thrust and the GE90-115B produces 115,540lbs of thrust

[@hungn8384]

loves every minute of it

[@SASD209]

I'm glad that our deterrent force still has the capability to do this....even 50 years after it was routine

[@johnmarler9294]

Was in SAC in the early 60s was a member of the 96th SAW only I didn't work on B-52. I worked on SM65F!

[@mikebouchard5730]

I crewed an A Model at Loring. It was a RUSH to turn onto the active with speed, following all the BUFFs and better than a dozen tankers, look down the runway into a black hole. All the smoke from lead aircraft lingered down the 3 miles of runway. Clear viz to the left or right, but we headed into the black hole. SAC target interval was 15 seconds for the BUFFs, 12 for the -135s. Just think.... We had 3 tankers still rolling when we took the active. SAC ruled. RULED!

[@sparc77]

To this very day, I still remember how it felt when they would kick in the water injection on my old G model. You could feel the jet jump forward.

[@hawkwinz]

stationed @ minot 1975-77, saw this show several times, back then KC135's joined the show, air was thick black with the old water injected engines, 5th FIS F106's were fun to watch also, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr,

[@hippiestan]

Awesome, man I miss being around all that !

[@videographer1KIK]

I worked on the B-52 in Andersen AFB, Guam and on the C-130 in Little Rock AFB, Arkansas! SAC STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND Persian Gulf War

[@thomaswalsh5097]

When the world knew SAC meant business.

[@LucDesaulniers1]

Thanks Wayne, like the shot with the tail sticking out

[@bobsnyder3309]

Sorry folks. looks like 30 second spacing. NOT a MITO

[@hamburger11000]

I am an old B-52E guy. Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico.

[@HighDesertRonTrainsTrucks]

Great video. Love it.

[@encinobalboa]

TF33 / JT3D is my favorite sounding jet engine.

[@ssaraccoii]

I remember hearing of an old timer telling one of the younger pilots the reason why the jet exhaust used to be so black was because they used to use coal to fire the engines. It was a water injection system used to increase engine output on takeoff, but it made a good story to the newbie.

[@JohnSmith-qn3ob]

My right ear loved this

[@heribertawells9297]

Missed out on working on these buffs, worked KC135 IFR maintenance Altus AFB Ok 75-78

[@eldrickzod6980]

Dad was at Altus during the change over from 52's to C5s, thank you for your service.

[@robertvalderaz7329]

Proud to be a Veteran of SAC.

[@TheOfficial007]

Its a bad day when they are taking off and it is not a drill. Also my father flew kc 135s in the early 90s and was really proud of being a part of the great matrix that was air defense.

[@gregcampos1118]

AWESOME!!!!

[@patrickwalsh2884]

During a NATO TacEval, I watched 24 F-104's take off from Memmingen AB, Bavaria, West Germany. I was on the end of the runway prepared to do a simulated "enable" of the B-61/B57 weapons.

[@johnjackson7449]

Hey Minot, did you remember to remove the warheads from those cruise missiles? Don't worry, Barksdale will catch it for ya!!!

[@jrftworth]

What you are referring to is called a Klaxon. They tested the aircrews ability to get to the aircraft, start them up,taxi to the runway and take off within 15 minutes

[@Endeavour30]

awesome, what a threatening plane

[@armstronglance]

Looks like the Minot tower. In early 60's the entire wing of 52s had to be off the ground in 20 after alert shack horn.

[@thomascreary990]

It is the Minot tower last of the checker ones red and white squares repainted in the late 80's early 90's, this was more than likely shot in the 2000's no tail gun and the 906 refueling sq. Left in the 90's, I was there 82-93

[@armstronglance]

@@thomascreary990 I’ve got a photo of the front gate in the 60’s. Limited security. Boy have times changed.

[@GT-gt4bf]

You know you need to shit your pants if you see a fleet of B-52s flying over your house.

[@keyabrade1861]

For the unfamiliar: although I don't know whether it was specifically for the purpose, this is what B-52s would do if a nuclear attack was thought to be incoming: launch as quickly as possible before a runway-cratering nuclear warhead arrived at th airfield.

[@TheSirjohn2012]

They do this all of the time at MINOT AFB inNorth Dakota and its also called MITO.

[@robertvalderaz7329]

In the 70's we called it Operational Readiness Inspection. Day or night. Mostly at night.

[@1938dmkdz]

I lived with these planes for two years and enjoyed it. (SAC 1959-1961)

[@calif1mc]

Me too! Put the blast curtains down and hope for the best!

[@herpnderpn2484]

I inherited a farm that's 5 miles south of barksdale in a perfect line from runway heading. Beautiful sounds occasionally rattle the windows. Almost makes you wish for the threat of nuclear annihilation.

[@BuffDriver]

Apparently the new definition of MITO differs vastly from the MITO's we performed in SAC in the '80's.

[@BuffDriver]

I was told during BUFF training at Castle that is was 2 G models, but they had a water takeoff behind a dry takeoff doing a MITO. The water takeoff was overtaking the dry bomber ahead, they pulled back the throttles before the water had run out and flamed out several engines. Pretty close to be such an old event though.

[@geraldmorain3166]

Hard work ,brothers ,and sisters ,soldiers and patriots , peace is our PROFFESION 1981 to 85 b52 g

[@1938dmkdz]

I supplied parts and tools for aircraft maintenance and enjoyed working with the crew chiefs. Slept with these mothers when we had alerts, that was 55 years ago when the G came out.

[@troyledbetter6597]

Love the BUFF !

[@andysmith1338]

Awesome bombers and Crew Chiefs!!

[@Winxprecuremhmlptmm]

As a jet engine mechanic on Buffs a few years back, you need to thank the specialists. These are the bomber specific specialties than ensure the plane gets off the ground - jet mechs, hydraulics, instrument/autopilot, bomb nav, electrics, etc... Crew chiefs are the gas station attendants of the plane - emptying the shitter, ensuring the plane is fueled, and the write ups are cleared.

[@dragonbutt]

2:53 - 3:02 is such an awesome shot :D. B-52 hurtling past at full power.

[@jtoatoktoe]

Most Combat Ready of all the Bomber Forces even with being the elder. Great Platform.

[@williamredmann5188]

Seen that a number of times probably explains some of my earing issues

[@mattsieluv]

I`ve read about all the B-52's that have been lost to accidents. The one at Mather happened because the B-52, a G, took off too close to the one ahead of it, an H. Fearing a collision, the pilot pulled back on the throttles too much, causing the water-injection system to shut down and several engines to flame-out causing the crash. Apparently somebody had forgotten that G and H models were not the same and that more spacing was required for different type aircraft in MITO's as SAC required.

[@Howard3S]

NOt being too picky, but I wouild have liked to see the actual interval withouit any cuts or edits. Just to get a better feel for the timing. Nice vid tho.

[@aiolos2411]

I am a civilian living in Minot, too bad I didn't know about this or I would have been in a nearby field recording this rare event. I wish these events were public knowledge, I'm sure thousands of people would love to see this happen first hand.

[@viktor9952]

What would be so fly, you need 100% trust in the technique! Excellent!

[@K6III450MHZ]

Back in the day how long from the bell ringing to wheels up. During the first cold war?

[@Chuck59ish]

We used to do the same thing in the RCAF with the C130s when doing paradrops. Usually about 20 aircraft, but the problem with turboprops is the turbulence, by the 10th aircraft, you could heard the turbulence on the ground and they be fight the aircraft to keep it level on takeoff. I pity the guys flying in the 20 th aircraft, they'd be bouncing all over the sky.

[@jonsnoek2344]

I was just about to comment as well, that the wake turbulence must have sucked for the aircraft further down the line!

[@chuckhershiser9900]

To minimize turbulence on a MITO, the first aircraft goes out straight, the next left, then right, then hi, then lo, then repeat. It still gets really dicy for the later aircraft.

[@kevinwaddell8720]

In context to this scene, MITO is all about readiness but another part of that readiness factor was the current DEFCON level during the exercise that if it was DEFCON 3 or 2 then mission ordinance would have to be loaded on those birds "just in case". militarymortgagecenter.com/veterans-voice/defcon-levels/

[@thebes56]

Ah, memories... SP at Minot in the eighties.

[@thedreamliner2012]

I would love to see all those BUFFs in formation flying 100 ft above the ground @ 500 knots. Now that would be a visual and audio overload. Awesome!

[@LilNakz21]

ooooo that sound!!!

[@jrftworth]

These aircraft are B-52H's, they have a low bypass turbo fan engine (TF33). It's basically an improved variant of what it replaced (J57) which was a turbo jet engine.

[@seanpintara]

Still such a formidable looking aircraft.

[@ninoandsem]

Aawww, those tiny wheels on the edges of the wings :3

[@Springbok295]

I'd hate to be the last B-52 to depart, especially if this was a real event with a SLBM only 13 minutes away from impact.

[@Samovarius]

Why have you put sound only to the right speaker?

[@joseosorio4682]

Fabulosos aviones que a nivel de la combustión no son tan ruidosos, pero su chiflido agudo los hace ser de respeto. Me pongo de pie ante el poder de sus motores. 😃👍

[@tommrobinson5136]

jesse Den, i was there. al;ert pad and the 52s back too back on water . called high pucker factor. when the wing felloff one. glad those days are over. kinda

[@angeldust43091]

Blytheville late 80s early 90s at eaker afb before clinton shut it f own man I loved watching these things crab

[@hueydewylouie]

Where and when was this shot? I was in the 5th Bomb Wing when it was at Travis AFB and we had G models.This was in the mid- to late- 1960s.

[@mattsieluv]

At Minot in early 2013. The 5th BW transferred to there from Travis in 1968.

[@yallowrosa]

Do General Jack Ripper (that of dr Strangelove) gave the order again ?

[@saurozaccagnini8763]

Bellissimi...

[@keithmurray2576]

it would nice to see them refitted with new engines

[@joseosorio4682]

Maravilla de máquina aérea militar y bombardero. El avión es ruidoso por el chiflido agudo en los despegues, pero sí vale la pena admirarlos. 😃👍

[@prorobo]

Those P&W turbofans should definitely be upgraded. Those things don't look too fuel efficient.

[@JeffGR4]

These B-52 bombers are the "H" model. The "G" was a lot louder and smokier, due to the water injection J57 turbojet engines.

[@mytmousemalibu]

Long live the JT3D turbofans! Wish the sound was 2 channel and the cartridge starts up close