Inside the Nuclear Triad (Pt. 2): B-52s

Coffee or Die Magazine’s Nolan Peterson flew on board a US Air Force B-52H bomber and learned how this Cold War-era aircraft remains at the leading edge of America’s efforts to deter nuclear-armed adversaries.
First flown in the 1950s, the B-52 was originally designed to wage nuclear war against the Soviet Union. Although 24/7 alert status for America’s fleet of strategic bombers ended in 1968, B-52 aircrews have played a key role in conventional conflicts ranging from Vietnam to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even so, recent global events, such as the war in Ukraine, have added urgency to the never-ending nuclear deterrence mission. The existential threats to our nation, which the B-52 was originally designed to confront, are back at the forefront of US defense priorities.
#nucleartriad
#icbm
#usairforce
#coffeeordie
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[@joeboyd8702]

Shows how well these aircraft were designed all those decades ago.

[@krisfrederick5001]

That rare time when your Grand Father, Father and you could be flying the exact same aircraft. Legendary.

[@Batman-tb6fq]

Thank you guys for your Service. God Bless to all

[@gabeusaf5483]

Strategic Air Command (93rd SPS). Motto: War is our PROFESSION, Peace is our Product. Operation Readiness Exercise, Nuclear Surety Inspection, Bold Shield, KLAXON, Elephant Walk, etc...

[@justinhaase8825]

Actually saw a B-52 from Barksdale doing a loop over my place in Missouri through some very good binocs last week. Have seen one up close at an air show…they are cool in their own way.

[@briancooper2112]

B-52 can't loop. The wings would come off.

[@goldenbadger8247]

When is Part 3 coming out? Security, classification issues? "Forged by the Sea"

[@drewpaul9812]

Have the pleasure of seeing these old birds fly everyday.

[@12gauge1oz]

"These weapons are used every day as a deterrent". America is grateful for your service and dedication.

[@AnnaCentauri]

Man, this video really hit home with me. I am an American, grew up in Texas 45 min from Barksdale AFB. I have poured concrete all over the world. 3 years in China. I am telling ya, they want it all mate. They are coming for the #1 spot so fast it's scary. Hats off to you airmen airwomen, protecting the Free World. May all Gods Bless America

[@Mikael.formermilitary]

The bombers do not get to their targets without the KC135 fleet. Long live the Tanker TOAD.

[@penultimateh766]

Yeah, MOST of the bombers don't get there anyway because of the SAMs and interceptors. No such fear for the tankers.

[@calneigbauer7542]

The b52 has a combat range of 8,000 plus miles without refueling in a nuclear war I doubt you have to worry about the coming back so they can in theory fly almost anywhere they want once lol

[@penultimateh766]

@@calneigbauer7542 They can't fly 8000 miles with their wings blown off by a SAM, genius.

[@classicgalactica5879]

@@penultimateh766 The B-52 doesn't enter heavily contested enemy airspace. The B-2 Spirit and the upcoming B-21 Raider would do that should the unthinkable ever occur. The B-52 launches it's weapons from standoff mode, beyond the reach of enemy air defense systems.

[@penultimateh766]

@@classicgalactica5879 Wrong en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B61_nuclear_bomb

[@JohnSmith-mk4nf]

Retrofitting such a legendary bomber and seeing it purely as an airborne platform for multiple 21c payloads, is enlightened strategic efficiency imho

[@philly1776]

Maintained the B52 bomb/nav simulator at Fairchild AFB 92 Bomb Wing and Castle AFB 93 Bomb Wing back in the early 80s. Great memories!!! I was proud as hell to work that mission......SAC "Peace is our Profession"

[@GM8101PHX]

I served with you, 92D Security Police Squadron 1977-1982 working the bomber alert area tower and weapons storage tower along with fire team duty. Discharged as a Staff Sergeant June 1982

[@pooryorick831]

I remember watching these planes come and go from Castle AFB in California when I was a child. I have never seen one up close. I would love to get that chance.

[@berttorpson2592]

"Until 2050" if we make it that long

[@wolf.04210]

B52 "Old..... but not obsolete" - Pops

[@raysplace6548]

That's one hell of a Bird.. Just majestic as hell..🍻🍻🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@TeW33zy]

Every country of power has a triad nothing new.

[@23-kevindillon96]

Okay.. good video.. last is B2 Spirit bomber and Ohio class balistic missile submarine

[@Joe-bm4wx]

Gen Weatgerington appears to be a Major general to me, not a lieutenant general.

[@wr6392]

Wear masks inside when they're apart from each other. Take them off when they're a foot apart in the plane. What a complete assanine time in history.

[@dwjunior]

Content / Subject: 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@jesperwall839]

I had the B52 named Spicy52 flew over my house here in Stockholm archipelago about 2 months ago. Escorted by two JAS 39 Gripen. The feeling of safety and freedom was amazing! The sound of freedom!

[@dwjunior]

You need to REMOVE the music from this video. Just talking and the video would be so much better.

[@flyjet787]

Fascinating and terrifying. Cool insider access. Hopefully someday we will peacefully retire all nukes with the other nuclear powers. (Also, there is only one way of pronouncing the word "nuclear". Noo-clee-er, not noo-Q-ler. Saying it incorrectly makes one sound uneducated.)

[@williammatthews2948]

It would be an honor to just be a passenger on one of these beautiful beasts of an airplane.

[@natey-sky6299]

Part 3 soon?

[@briancooper2112]

Love the art work. Reminds me of bombers in ww2 with art below cockpit.

[@MandG80439]

Nuclear weapon? No, that's a "Quail" decoy missile

[@sb859]

Long Liveth The BUFF.

[@MrRedball6]

When were y’all at BAFB?

[@telsutton]

Wow. These people wouldn't bat an eyelid at ending all humanity. Insanity, and proud of it; still in denial the Vietnam was very,very wrong; Iraq, illegal.

[@thirty9648]

Hey I work on those at that base

[@tinto278]

Australia will help by building infrastructure to sustain B-52s operations out of our RAAF bases. We fight together! 🦘🦘🦘👑👑👑🦅🦅🦅 AUKUS! 💪💪💪

[@Turtlewoods123]

Be, My, Little, General??? Did he get promoted after this was filmed?

[@jasonh5547]

Two star is a Major General. So I am wondering myself?

[@HouseholdDog]

Where's the CRM114?

[@coltwright6252]

When is pet three?

[@markwatters6875]

Still a beautiful and excellent aircraft 👍🇦🇺

[@robertmaybeth3434]

Aside from having the second coolest job in the USAF (first is F-35 of course) these guys that crew this old dinosaur are stepping into a time warp every time they climb inside. The Buff has been upgraded more times than I have fingers and toes at a cost of a million billion inflationary dollars yet take a look at what populates their instrument panel? It's wall-to-wall analog gauges (or what used to be called "steam gauges" even though no steam is involved), what looks like about ten thousand of them for the pilots to constantly monitor! and that look like they were pried out and transplanted over from an old B-17 c. 1944... As a concerned taxpayer I wanna know if is it possible for the air force to demand a refund or sales rebate since I doubt we're getting our tax money's worth here. These B-52's were built when Ike was President, nevertheless I recognize these aircraft are no doubt very effective as high altitude platforms for other, newer, ultra-high-tech weapons. But our pilots deserve better technology than this. Keeping 1950's aircraft flying is not as cost-effective as it might seem... is it? No, because it CAN'T be. When any complex thing like an airplane is no longer in production, neither are the spare parts for it. So most or all repair parts have to be fabricated by hand, by very skilled craftsmen, in tiny numbers. And the cost to do this, especially ANYthing for the American D.O.D., is astronomical. My question is, at what point will the B-52's no longer be repairable? And when that happens, what will be its replacement?

[@christopherc3017]

Operation chrome dome

[@wythetrumpet6419]

In addition to the massive nuclear and conventional ordnance capabilities of the B52, I love how they smoke on take off and leave the big dirty, greasy spots on the tarmac, just because I know the green environmental wackos cringe when those 8 Pratt & Whitney's fire up!!! It's hard to beat the BUFF!!! Three generations of B52 crews can't be wrong!!!

[@GM8101PHX]

I worked at a base with a nuclear mission with the B-52, those green people had decided to try to end our mission by forcefully entering the base. I was part of the Security Police Squadron and working on a fire team in the bomber alert area when my team was dispatched to the main gate using lights and siren. I was ordered to report to our Division Commander a Brigadier General. He gave me orders to have my team prepared to use deadly force against the green people. I warned them if they crossed the chain put across the road my M-60 gunner would open fire on the vehicles they were using, and to report to the Sheriff's Deputies waiting to arrest them. I ordered my gunner to full load along with us others on the team. Thankfully we did not have to fire a shot, there were kids in that group. They turned around and surrendered to the deputies and were arrested.

[@wythetrumpet6419]

@@GM8101PHX Great job! The current day military needs more people like you and your former Commander! Your service to America is greatly appreciated! Thank you!"

[@TMM-N]

U talk about vietnam? How many vietnamese died when u dropped the bombs

[@briancooper2112]

My dad worked on autopilot for B-52,KC-135,and RC-135. The bomber behind you was stationed at K.I. Sawyer where I was born. Love the B.U.F.F.!🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷

[@bb-6359]

Thats the flag of Liberia my dude

[@briancooper2112]

Legally blind ​@@bb-6359

[@briancooper2112]

Sue me 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@briancooper2112]

​@@bb-6359legally blind

[@jaquimboaz]

🛠

[@t-money760]

FUCK YEAH !!!!!!!!

[@thatpointinlife]

This one was kinda lacking any real substance, particularly when it comes to the "Nuclear Triad" theme. 🤷‍♂️

[@eagle7757]

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

[@gooner72]

BUFF!!!!!!

[@nicolasadileonardo]

Why is he talking so slowly?

[@CreatingAlong]

Prob to make his 3 mins of content 6 mins long

[@BASE5NYC]

🇺🇲🤙

[@penultimateh766]

Yeah 20 hours on that beast including a stomach-capsizing low-level leg is anything but glamorous. Plus a 70% chance of dying before reaching any Russian target.

[@logmeindog]

Bombers don't get anywhere near their targets nowadays unless air defense is completely down and their payloads have massive standoffs. The B52 is quite safe in it's role.

[@penultimateh766]

@@logmeindog So America has no freefall nuclear weapons any more. Thanks for the fake news.

[@penultimateh766]

@@rbacklas So the crew should ENJOY being flash-roasted by a JP4 fireball. Great tip, thanks.

[@Bobby_boucher31]

The bombs they use aren’t dead drops, they’re cruise missiles. So they’re thousands of miles away from the target when then “drop” their nuclear payload

[@penultimateh766]

@@rbacklas "retirement and VA compensation"?? What the heck are those? All I got when leaving the USAF was a kick in the butt on the way out the door. Oh yeah and they let me keep my helmet. Real useful.

[@chrisspringer7788]

Alot more serious than being a passenger on a commercial? 😆 what a joke. Tell the truth...

[@junhokim7747]

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