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Minot AFB 1998 |
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In August of
1998 I made a return trip to Minot AFB 13 years after I left. The base is home
to about 40 B-52s. The weather on this day was just perfect for an air show by
the Thunderbirds and perfect for photographing the static displays
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B-52H
60-0005 with a Harpoon under the wing and a few gold bomb crowd pleaser shapes
under the wing.
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Death from
above as provided by a number of the armenaments of the B-52H. The long gray
objects in the center left are air launched cruise missles on the rotatry
launcher.
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B-52H during
a flyby. The biggest difference between the 1980s vintage buff and today's buff
is the removal of the tail gun and elimination the gunner crew position.
Countermeasures systems and radar have also been upgraded. The aircraft has
shown remarkable ability to be adapted to changing requirements and tactics.
Back in the early - mid 80s the Buff was the only bomber in town. The B-1B
hadn't gone operational and the B-2 was only a rumor.
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