B-52 Elephant Walk • Barksdale Air Force Base

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B-52H Stratofortresses from the 2nd Bomb Wing taxi down the runway during a readiness exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 14, 2020. Through this readiness exercise, the 2nd BW is able to provide the nation with winning combat power. The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions and has been the backbone of the strategic bomber force for the United States for more than 60 years.
Video by Senior Airman Christina Rios 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Video by Staff Sgt. Philip Bryant 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Video by Airman 1st Class Baylee Yassu 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
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[@gusopher]

I live in line with Runway 15 and these aircraft are over the house on a daily basis! When they come over, they are deafening but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Plus all the other visiting aircraft from all branches of our military. One day it might be one of the E-4’s “doomsday plane” and the next it might be a gaggle of Ospreys. And have seen three different Space Shuttles many years ago. Love our Barksdale! Edit, as I write this sitting on the sofa out back, a P-8 just came over.

[@missouribob7850]

I love the sound of freedom soaring overhead.

[@andy164501]

Spent my last 5 years in the AF at BAFB and loved the base, and absolutely loved the B-52. So often, I'd be at the end of the runway watching those birds take off and think to myself, "Sure am glad they're on our side!"

[@pambb5743]

I live near Barksdale also. I love it. My favorite of all is the B52’s. They are beautiful old girls

[@philmccrevis4493]

Barksdale AFB crew chief 80'-81'. Some of the best days of my life. Enjoy.

[@cmscms123456]

The last crew, to fly the last B-52 in the US Air Force, hasn't even been born yet.

[@awgauntt]

Living in East Texas all my life, it's always great seeing the B-52 flying in the skies!!

[@scottd7926]

Not a lot has changed on the Barksdale ramp in 50 years. And that's a good thing.

[@BMF6889]

My dad was a B-52 pilot in the 50's and 60's during the Cold War. I remember watching the minimum interval takeoff during practice alert exercises. MIT's were designed to get all the alert B-52's in the air in the minimum amount of time. There would be like 3-4 BUFF's rolling down the runway at the same time. It was an amazing sight. Since B-52's are no longer capable of flying the nuclear missions, MIT's are no longer necessary except perhaps for the B-1 and B-2. BUFF's always bring back great memories for me.

[@robertheinkel6225]

At Grissom AFB IN, we kept 13 tankers on alert. The war plan called for the aircraft to be 10 seconds apart on takeoff. I am glad we never had to launch on alert.

[@thomasmalcolm110]

Who's telling you they capable of flying nuclear missions anymore? Also B1 after redesign ISN'T capable of nuclear missions! BUFFS are still VERY much part of TRIAD. Don't believe what you've been hearing 😎

[@racerdude7730]

The b-52 still flys nuclear capable. The B1 no longer is able to fly the nuclear missions

[@phantomf4g304]

I remember watching these beasts roll off the alert pad at Mather back in the 80's. "Peace The Old Fashioned Way"

[@eagle6754]

Ellsworth for me

[@wandery2k]

Loring AFB in the mid 60s. Early 70s at Beale AFB. Barksdale AFB mid 70s. Awesome.

[@marsack7]

Daddy flew for SAC back in late 40's early 50's out of the Dakotas. Lived in Rapid City. He Loved that plane. Gave me a sense of security.

[@memesandmusic]

@Heppoify those newks aren't active nor dangerous buddy. It's ok, your pretty damn safe with us

[@dbvetter7485]

I used to see B-52,s flying low over the Kansas plains when I lived there in the 90’s. It would give me chills. Awesome flying machines and to think their going to be flying for many years to come (2050’s)

[@PKent-qx9uu]

Should have seen the 19th wing blasting off from Warner-Robbins in the 70's

[@RW4X4X3006]

As kids working the fields of North Dakota, they would sneak up on us. Awesome sight, and so low!

[@dalemckinnie6256]

These bombers come across as an almost living entity. Like there is a wise old man living everyone of them.

[@michaelhollister7932]

It is amazing to think these rolled off the assembly line in 1962, the same year I was born. Built long before their pilots today were even a twinkle in their parent's eyes!

[@ruthford112]

Michael Hollister I think it was 1957 when the b52 was first put in service.

[@michaelhollister7932]

@@ruthford112 I'm specially taking about the final varient of the B-52, the "H" model being the last to roll off the assembly line at Boeing. None have been built since then.

[@ruthford112]

Michael Hollister gotcha. The g models we had, had shorter vertical stabilizers and different engines. I was in munitions maintainence from 63 to 67. Then I got out an went into the navy Seabees where I retired.

[@sawatisbillings8759]

Love OUR Elephants! B52 jet noise...the sound of Freedom.

[@cycleguy1943]

I was stationed there in ‘84-87 and do remember seeing these Badass B52s do their ELEPHANT WALK..Super Cool 🇺🇸👍

[@zues1942]

I was stationed there from 73-76, loved it.

[@gwendolynlucas-davis3301]

Grew up in the 60's at a SAC base-Lockbourne, AFB, now Rickenbacker Airfield, Columbus, Ohio. There were plenty of B52s. We lived pretty much in Gen. Curtis Lemay's("Bombs Away Lemay") backyard. He was from Columbus!! However, my son lives in Baton Rouge and loves to share military plane info with me! We also carry on a family tradition of dragging ourselves to airshows!!

[@thomasmalcolm110]

Big, Bad & Beautiful BUFFS 💪 that's whole lot of POWER 😎 still gives me goose bumps seeing & hearing them after first time seeing one in person 42 yrs ago when in USAF SAC

[@marybarron5344]

I saw one of these up close at an airshow at Moncton, New Brunswick in the early 70's. It was so awesome and deafening to see take off as well. Amazing that they are still in service.

[@grumpysowhat6998]

They are still in service because of the maintenance personnel keeping them in serviceable condition. And they do it with pride! When these alert forces are called upon to do what is called the elaphant walk, the maintenance crews, crew chiefs and flight crews don’t know if it is a real alert or just a practice launch which is aborted at the last minute.war games, but not a game.

[@patrickmonks9761]

When the last B2 is retired a BUFF will pick up the crew

[@user-pu1cl9cl7o]

We was station at Barksdale afb in the 60s my husband was a crew member. When they took off we never knew when they would return. they are refuled in the air. They are the most beautiful plane have.

[@elli003]

The kids in Shreveport schools must get a kick out of this. Better than a Fire Drill ! "Hey Joey, we got the game on .......... it's SHTF Day" !

[@southerntommygun1353]

I went to Parkway High School just off the base in the early 70's. Loved hearing them all the time. It was like a lullaby at night when they were testing.

[@elli003]

@@southerntommygun1353 I'm your age and would have loved to have been there to experience that.

[@joetexas1546]

Beautiful-Music to the Ears!

[@lucdevincke2055]

Strange taste you have.

[@ruthford112]

I spent 4 years loading these baby's with bombs. From the g's to the h models. These are highly updated by the looks of them.

[@DirkDiggler6903]

Thanks for posting!

[@MilitaryUpdate]

Wow incredible old ladies

[@sawatisbillings8759]

...and still sexy even after ALL the years these babes have been on patrol...

[@semco72057]

I use to be stationed there in both an active duty and reserve unit and it was a nice base.

[@bobbeane7294]

My dad used to go to Barksdale for TDYswhen he was with 104th fighter wing in Westfield Massachusetts back in the 80s they used to have A-10s back then now they have F-15 C/D ... I live right behind Westover Air Force Base In Chicopee Massachusetts where they had B-52s and tankers in the 50s and 60s now they have C-5M (6)....Awesome video! Who are you

[@richardhanawalt4901]

They may old timers.. But don t piss them off

[@RW4X4X3006]

I recall them dropping gift baskets on Fort Hood. You could feel them, but couldn't see them. I don't know what their service ceiling is, but they were way up there!

[@paulsignet3697]

Not bad for an airplane designed over a weekend in Dayton OH. The AF did not like the seating proposed etc so Boeing reps who were in Dayton redesigned it and that’s the result. I have flown in C and D models and enjoyed it.

[@philglover2973]

Awesome just awesome thanks 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@josephkilfeather4047]

Line of BUFFS

[@morgus8384]

How I spent the 80s supporting bombers and tankers at KBAD

[@apocyldoomer]

Good video, I remember hearing about that when I was in the USAF during the early 80’s, Crew Chief on the F-4 Phantoms, yes, I’m and old man, haha. Love these vids, awesome!!

[@patrickvillers6454]

Talk about longevity these birds out live generations of pilots.

[@joshuabrzezinski2828]

God all I remember was the damn heat on that flight line!!!

[@davidgray8191]

I remember Linebacker 2.

[@chuckpay]

We made a change… those distance remaining signs in this video have been replaced with upgraded LED markers. It was a pleasure working on the shoulder of the runway and seeing many of the great aircraft’s landing and taking off.

[@southerntommygun1353]

In the late 60's, early 70's there was a horse barn and pasture in front of the runway on base where my future ex-wife had a horse. Other end of the runway the lights went through the park at the end of the subdivision we lived in. We used to go rabbit hunting out there. Good times.

[@tonymidkiff2108]

How many bombs do they carry

[@JPH1786]

0062’s paint is looking a little rough!

[@donmelton3289]

Think a couple of tail numbers from Minot

[@elli003]

Minot is MT. Barksdale (Shreveport, Louisiana) is LA. Plus you can see the outline of the state of Louisiana at 1:40 forward fuselage.

[@kennethmcconnell2648]

Wonder if any of these have the new up graded engine

[@bildo85]

No

[@jasonthomas9364]

0042, or 0061 where are you?

[@doraldeddy1836]

Please excuse me, but what purpose does the Elephant Walk serve? Is it to give systems a work out without the expense etc? Or is there a training, manoeuvring reason? From the Uk.

[@robertheinkel6225]

A elephant walk, required the aircraft to start engines, and taxi to the runway in just a couple of minutes. That proved the aircraft were ready to go and could have launched if necessary. Actually taking off was usually part of a major exercise. I crewed the KC-135 at Grissom AFB. We had 3 minutes to get 13 aircraft airborne. Every tanker was assigned to a bomber, so if a tanker couldn't get airborne, a bomber could not complete its mission. We had weekly tests of the system. Sometimes just start the engines, and other times taxi out to the runway. Every tanker was at max weight on alert. After every start, the crew chiefs had about two hours of work to get the aircraft back on alert.

[@doraldeddy1836]

@@robertheinkel6225 Thanks Robert I appreciate your time and info in the reply sir. I love watching military aircraft films, at 68 that’s a bit sad, but hey ho! Best wishes from Cornwall, UK.

[@brianpeters7847]

Does each Aircraft have crew that look after it

[@rickpitts2277]

Usually have a ground (gnd) maintenance crew chief or two assigned but aircrew move from Aircraft to Aircraft. Also gnd maintenance of systems is handled by different "shops" that handle the entire squadron of aircraft. Only the CC or crew chief stays with his or her aircraft the rest of the maintainers move to which ever acft needs their shops attention avionic, hydraulic, engines, and so forth.

[@brianpeters7847]

@@rickpitts2277 Interesting thank you...

[@garyciba8103]

Interval of @15 seconds - spot on! Was at Westover AFB late 60s - C's and D's. God's airplane! When they retire B-1's, the 52 will transport their crews.

[@shujmosham..8468]

So beautiful god bless America 🇺🇸 i will die loving america 🇺🇸 ❤️❤️💙💙💙❤️

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

I can almost smell it.

[@BeechSportBill]

The entire fleet

[@rickpitts2277]

Doubt it, the entire Wing probably has more than the 7 or so aircraft we saw here

[@jinkslate4761]

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[@jinkslate4761]

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[@paulcurrie7828]

Don’t hypersonic weapons make MITOs irrelevant?

[@rapid13]

Why would they?

[@robertheinkel6225]

If you can't get the bombers off the ground before the nukes hit, the weapons would be destroyed on the ground along with the aircraft. Most bases only had about 13 minutes from when the miss,Es were detected inbound, to impact. Not much time if the bombers are not ready to go.

[@rapid13]

I think I know what he's asking. Paul, most bomber bases are inland far enough that their warning times would be enough to get airborne, assuming anyone can get close enough to our shores to launch.

[@johnnyquest5942]

Mito if you’ve done you wouldn’t say it

[@jinkslate4761]

🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾T.F.T🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾

[@jinkslate4761]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸D.E.F.G.H.I.J.K.L.M.N.O.P.Q.R.S.T.U.V.W.X.Y.Z🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@tbolt2948]

Elephant walk? A couple of BUFF's turned into Dumbo because I saw some elephants fly!

[@eagle7757]

Believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved, John 3:16, KJV....