Why should this B-52 exercise be news?

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 05 Nov 2008, 18:04

From AF Daily Report 5 Nov 08

BUFF Fest: For the first time in more than four years, B-52H bombers and their crews from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., and 2nd BW at Barksdale AFB, La., came together Oct. 28 at Minot to participate in a combined, rapid-launch training drill. A total of seven B-52s from the wings gathered for the event, which occurred under the auspices of Minot's Prairie Vigilance 09-2, a week-long series of aircraft generation/employment and aircrew testing/certification exercises to validate the 5th BW's ability to execute its emergency war order mission. "We were able to mass rapid and decisive firepower," Lt. Col. Rolando Diaz Jr., chief of 5th BW plans and programs, said of the joint drill. He continued, "Our combined forces successfully integrated to perform this important mission. It was definitely a team success." (Minot report by Maj. Elizabeth Ortiz)

In the Good Old Days of SAC, this was a routine event for an ORI. It was called the Minimum Interval Take-Off (MITO). It was a graded event and something people would come out to watch. The desired interval was 15 seconds between aircraft. I recall a couple of times when we were #3 in the stream. Turbulence was at its peak for #3. I remember seeing the pilots with the yoke deflected fully and the airplane rolling in the opposite direction. You kept the gear down for stability and just hung on until you cleared the wake of the first two airplanes. Fun!!

Jumpshot724 · Post by **Jumpshot724** » 05 Nov 2008, 18:08

Because they haven't done it in a while?? I don't know lol

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 05 Nov 2008, 20:38

Probably a bit sarcastic on my part. Just another example of something lost with the death of SAC. MITO was designed to get the Alert Force off the ground ASAP in the event of an incoming attack. Maybe since "PEACE" was declared they thought we didn't need it anymore. I would rather be ready than sorry.

Jumpshot724 · Post by **Jumpshot724** » 05 Nov 2008, 20:52

No no, you're 100% correct. I too would rather see more of practicing of alert departures, if nothing else it shows the world we're capable and ready to take on anything at a moment's notice

Post by **Firebird** » 05 Nov 2008, 22:08

My guess is that this is a reaction to the military posturing from Russia and its resumption of Bear flights on the old Cold War profiles. Along the lines of anything you can do ...

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 06 Nov 2008, 17:05

That could be. It could also be some of the preliminary steps to rebuilding the "nuclear' emphasis for part of the bomber fleet. I am not sure that any B-52s or B-1s are on nuclear alert anymore. They may have decided they can generate a strike force over a short period of time. My thought is that is a doubtful concept if it is true.

Jumpshot724 · Post by **Jumpshot724** » 06 Nov 2008, 18:52

I know B-1s aern't, the nuclear mission was removed from their responsibilities years ago

Currently, only the B-52 and B-2 are capable of employing the nuclear role