B52s bring air terror

The Evening Standard ^ | March 4, 2003 | Robert Fox

[MadIvan]

I like the idea of the Taliban and Iraqis being terrified.

Say good night, Saddam

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Vigilantcitizen]

B-52...The GMC truck of the Air Force.

It ain't pretty, nor fancy, it just get's the job done. And has stood the test of time.

[Happygal]

But if there is no further mandate from the UN, will Tony Blair be prepared to commit Britain's forces to battle, too?

Hasn't he already committed to that?

[MadIvan]

Hasn't he already committed to that?

Yes he has. I can only assume the reporter has his head under a rock. ;)

Love, Ivan

[Straight Vermonter]

Click on my name to go to military videos, including a B-52 video.

[SandRat]

It ain't pretty, nor fancy, it just get's the job done.

BUFF one tough old bird. Older than the kids flying them. The ones flying today were built in 1962. One thing about it though, if it can fly even a little it will get you home.

[Aeronaut]

B-52...The GMC truck of the Air Force.

The BUFF. Stands for Big Ugly Fat "Fellow" - use your imagination.

[hound]

These bad boys are a beautiful sight.

[x1stcav]

"In the Gulf War in 1991, the tons of iron bombs dropped on the demoralised Iraqi troops in the southern desert did not prove too effective. Touring across those wastes after the ceasefire, the dunes and wadhis were littered with the carcasses of bombs - many yards wide of their targets. In Afghanistan the B-52s' satellite-guided bombs proved more accurate-and were decisive in breaking the Taliban lines."

This writer doesn't know what he's talking about. Having lead BDA (Bombing Damage Assessment) patrols after Arc Light missions, I can personally attest to the devestation that occurs when 3 B52 loads of iron bombs are put in a "box". It doesn't matter that many bombs are yards wide of their targets. The whole target area is so physically disrupted that drainage patterns are re-arranged. They are indeed very effective - just ask any VC/NVA who were on the receiving end of this treatment and who happened to survive, only to wander around totally dazed and combat ineffective sometimes days after the attack.

I would agree that guided munitions are more accurate/selective, but there is still a role for the Arc-Light type of mission.

[CatoRenasci]

I love the smell of napalm in the morning.....

[CholeraJoe]

Hey, Saddam! Meet my boy Lance.

[Petronski]

"...90 per cent from the air, 10 per cent from the ground". This seems to be the rule of thumb for General Tommy Franks and his planners.

Uh, we have 310,000 personnel in theatre or en route. That does not suggest 10% ground v. 90% air.

[maica]

Re: your great photo and media "bias"

The antiAmerican Baltimore Sun today had on Page One above the fold, a picture of a B-52 arriving in the UK. The shot was from the ground showing two Brits looking up and holding their ears while the B-52 flew overhead.

To my jaundiced eye this was a view which showed sympathy for those on the ground and portrayed the plane as a menace.

Our antiAmerican media is so disgusting!!!

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[guitfiddlist]

The arrival of ....Super Fortress bombers at RAF Fairford overnight gives a clear indication of the timing....

Timing? 1945? I think the last time a B-29 Super Fortress was in Europe was in the '50's. The B-52 StratoFortresses are a little more modern....somewhat. :^)

[SamAdams76]

Why are so many people starting their sentences with "uh" these days? Is there some kind of TV show where this is done and people are copying it? I remember that "doh" used to be in vogue. Is this from the same show? I'm curious as to how this practice has entered into our language.

[Petronski]

Uh, I think it is meant to impart a sense of a restatement of the obvious--or that which is presumed to be obvious.

[Gamecock]

Uh, we have 310,000 personnel in theatre or en route. That does not suggest 10% ground v. 90% air.


Uh, most of that 310K supports the actual fighters.