BBC Reports US B52s Depart RAF Fairford

BBC Channel 1 | 21 March 2003

[UKCajun]

BBC showing live pictures of US B52s departing RAF Fairford airbase in the UK

[Bunny Brownie]

Silly woman, I have lived in Fairford all my life & I think it's great that Fairford airbase has a part in this war.

[Thane_Banquo]

You know how many times they've claimed B52s are leaving Fairford, and then a few hours later they say they were wrong and the B52s are still there?

I'm guessing we have some disinfo strategery going on.

[glock rocks]

nope. live takeoff pics on competing networks. they're on their way.

[Tommyjo]

The same thing happened during Allied Force with the B-52H and the B-1Bs from RAF Fairford. The same also happened with the aircraft taking off from Italy. Like in Allied Force the B-52s can stand off and loiter. It's built into the planning. It's also a very good bit of psy ops. Likewise you might as well stop all the US reporters from broadcasting the images of all the armour going hell for leather to the outskirts of Baghdad. Although the Iraqi people aren't going to see it broadcast the Iraqi military planners are.

[petuniasevan]

huge grey jets roared low over the perimeter fence before opening parachutes on the runway -- the longest in Europe -- to help them rumble to a halt

"Drag chutes" is the correct term. I can't tell you how many times I and members of my squadron loaded drag chutes into '52s.

How do they do that? First, you need the drag chute packed. Luckily we didn't have that chore. Next, a panel truck brings it out to your aircraft, and three guys shove it out the back doors onto the ground. Hopefully this is done fairly close to the tail.

Second, you need a work stand - a BIG one. At Barksdale we used a special stand which fit around the fuselage where it extends beyond the tail and horizontal stabilizer. This stand also featured a winch. We had to winch the drag chute up 2 1/2 stories to get it into the "tub" where it fits (sort of fits - see below).

Third, you have to wrestle with the huge, bulky packed chute. It weighs about 200 pounds and is always lumpy. Plus it never fits in the "tub" without a lot of sweating, cursing, shoving, and pounding.

Don't forget to attach the release clip to the drogue!

Doesn't that sound like a fun way to relax?

[stboz]

jesus -- if only they knew what is on the way...

Given the TV coverage, they know....

Arclight times 100......whoever's on the other end is just plain screwed.

[My Favorite Headache]

LMFAO

[varon]

I don't think that information like this should be broadcast in real-time. I'm disgusted that the BBC would do this.

Are you really so naive to think that the Iraqis don't have agents in place around the air bases monitoring departures and forwarding that info to their masters?

[Pharmboy]

Air Combat Command's B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions.

The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters). It can carry nuclear or conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. In a conventional conflict, the B-52 can perform air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations.

During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces. It is highly effective when used for ocean surveillance, and can assist the U.S. Navy in anti-ship and mine-laying operations.

Two B-52s, in two hours, can monitor 140,000 square miles (364,000 square kilometers) of ocean surface. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Thurow)

[Andy Ross]

You shouldn't volunteer an unsought opinion: you'll only embarass yourself when you discover how little it is valued by your listener.

I stand by the idea that our media should not monitor and expose military operations in such detailed fashion. The idea that the Iraqis are capable of such monitoring is immaterial. What it does mean, as a crude example, is that their personnel can go and monitor another location, safe in the knowledge that the BBC will do their job for them at Fairford.

Andrew

[varon]

You shouldn't volunteer an unsought opinion: you'll only embarass yourself when you discover how little it is valued by your listener. (My emphasis)

If you wouldn’t post your asinine comments in a discussion forum where opinions are elicited then you wouldn’t receive opinions that are embarrassing to your posting.

Exposing lack of common sense, as is the case with you, is of great value to the readers in this forum so they can be forewarned of your clueless rantings.

HELLO, this is not radio.You must really be in a world by yourself if you think Freepers are listening to these words. Lighten up on the medication and perhaps you’ll realize that you're not the great military intelligence analyst you think you are.

[Andy Ross]

I would rather post asinine comments than be an obnoxious little fellow. "Rantings" is a word which can only properly be applied to your two posts to me.

Again, spare me your opinions on me or my views: I couldn't care less.

Andrew

[varon]

Again, spare me your opinions on me or my views: I couldn't care less.

If you "couldn't care less", then take valid criticism as a man and quit complaining like a girl.

[Andy Ross]

Let's go over your "valid criticism". You called me naive, suggested I was on medication, and finished off by inferring that I have delusions of grandeur.

If anyone over-estimates his own opinion, it is you. Grow up, and stop acting like a baby.

Andrew

[Andy Ross]

Let's go over your "valid criticism". You called me naive, suggested I was on medication, and finished off by inferring that I have delusions of grandeur.

If anyone over-estimates his own opinion, it is you. Grow up, and stop acting like a baby.

Andrew