The B-52's Psychological impact

Tuesday, November 6, 2001 | self

[Ditto]

We should have done that in 1965, and saved over 58,000 American lives, and hundreds of thousands of South Vietnamese lives plus the lives of our allies (i.e., South Korea, Australia, etc.) I remember, and find it hard to forgive.

I agree with you totally, but am surprised to hear that sentiment coming from a liberal. (or have I micharacterized your politics?)

[DeaconBenjamin]

Wasn't Rumsfeld in Congress in the mid-late 60s? Is he included in your analysis?

[Zviadist]

Are you about 12 years old?

[E.Allen]

I spent a few years at a SAC base. One thing I will always remember is the strange way the 52's take off. I've never seen any other aircraft do this. Normally, aircraft get up to speed on the runway, then pull their nose up and climb to altitude. If anyone has a side view of a 52 leaving the runway, please post it.

52's leave the runway with the nose substantially lower than the tail and just seem to use raw power to push into the air. The best description I heard was that a 52 doesn't so much take off as it just scares the ground away.

[1rudeboy]

I'm not sure the Tal ever had a weapon that could knock a B-52 down at altitude.

[Tuco-bad]

I agree with you totally, but am surprised to hear that sentiment coming from a liberal. (or have I micharacterized your politics?)

As I posted a number of times on the Free Republic: "I am probably the most conservative person on the Free Republic."

Willing to criticize anyone (including Lazio) for wrong doing, whether a Republican, Conservative, Democrat or Liberal.

[Boondocks of Bama]

What? No mention of Arc Light yet? Thanks for the input from your end. First I've seen.

I was one coming up with the grid coordinates and calling them in on a presumably secure radio. Also went with the LLRPs on BDAs after a strike. Some enemy didn't get the word and some often remained to give the LLRPs a hard time. Was amazed at the accuracy of "dumb" bombs at such high altitudes.

Lesson learned? Awesome firepower as in ten million plus bomb craters doesn't necessarily win wars. Beware of politics. But it does make the Wall Street Willies very rich.

[GoredInMich]

ArcLight..........counter-insurgency from 30,000 feet

[GoredInMich]

</From half a mile away, the roar of the explosions tore eardrums, leaving many of the jungle dwellers permanently deaf. The shock waves knocked their victims senseless. Any hit within a quarter of a mile would collapse the walls of an unreinforced bunker, burying alive the people cowering inside.>

Wasn't there something posted here the other day, pro-Taliban propaganda, that stated that some Talibum was talking on his radio, while 100 yards away, the 52's were laying down a stick?

What a crock of crap. THis is more accurate, I believe.

[BibChr]

B-52sBrr-r-r-r-rr! That is scary!

Dan

[LTCJ]

a 52 doesn't so much take off as it just scares the ground away

Good. Very good.

Yep. Those massive flaps give a substantial nose-down angle of zero-lift.

I had the honor of being an up-close witness to one of history's last minimum-interval scrambles of a 52 bomb wing back in '90. Stood on the grass between the taxiway and runway as the entire wing, tankers and all, went out seconds appart. The only thing more impressive than the sight was the sound. The earth shook for the better part of forever.

A MITO is quite impressive from the rear, too. As the planes lift off they alternate slipping their climbout to each side of the runway so that a disabled aircraft won't go down and keep the rest of the wing trapped on the ground to await an incoming strike.

A true vision of Freedom's Fury. It really impressed this Mud Man.

[mil-vet]

Roger your post #3 - would've saved a lot of enemy lives, too, and Hanoi Jane, et.al., wouldn't have had a chance to spread THEIR poison, 'cuz it would've been all over in short order. This is what happens when the military isn't simply allowed to go do it's job. Hopefully we will be allowed to prosecute this current enemy with all appropriate vigor, unfettered except by the reasonable concerns of civilized men - no politics or politicians allowed!!

Oh, well, I can dream, anyway.....

[WilliamWallace1999]

Now THAT is what I call BUFF's.

[f.Christian]

The B-52 bombers were named after the flying cane roaches of Hawaii...they don't seem to have a very good guidance system---they crash land into walls but they are huge---probably the connection!

[Chemnitz]

Everyone talked about how much LBJ made the government grow, how poorly he ran the war. Then America elected Nixon. Government spending skyrocketed. Nixon began a deliberate draw-down of forces in spite of his campaign. So LBJ was bad but he was fairly typical as a Demon-rat. Nixon betrayed the conservatives who elected him.

I like Ben Stein but I can't get over his fondness for Nixon.

[cibco]

</From half a mile away, the roar of the explosions tore eardrums, leaving many of the jungle dwellers permanently deaf. The shock waves knocked their victims senseless. Any hit within a quarter of a mile would collapse the walls of an unreinforced bunker, burying alive the people cowering inside.>

I was in an NVA base camp that had had a near miss by a B52 strike... and a good thing too. It was easier to collect weapons & bodies without having a bunch of craters messing things up. 100 yards? That was NO B52 strike. He wouldn't be alive just from the concussion. ;0)

[Ditto]

I guess I misread you last year. I though you were pro-Hildabeast. Sorry.

[fishtank]

[DETAILER]

I live near Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. What always impresses me with the 52's taking off is how LOUD they are. You can forget holding a conversation with anyone until they have gone on past you. In the woods on a deer stand, if one comes over low, I can't tell which direction it's coming from, only that it's close. They roar.

[Tuco-bad]

I guess I misread you last year. I though you were pro-Hildabeast.

No just anti-Lazio (because Lazio voted on matters in which he had a financial interest - stock options).