US BOMBERS ARE BACK (B-52s arrive in Britain!)

Sky News ^ | 3/3/03

[areafiftyone]

American B-52 bombers have begun arriving in Britain, as Iraq claims six civilians were killed and 15 others injured in the latest round of US and British air raids inside the no-fly zone.

The last time the bombers were stationed on British soil was for the attacks on Yugoslavia four years ago.

Once again the long-range B-52s are based at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

The first of the huge jets landed just before noon on Monday. About an hour earlier, what appeared to be a U-2 spy plane had taken off. Two transporters aircraft are also at the base.

British military sources say a large group of US warplanes is due in Britain this week, including 14 B-52s.

Peace campaigners witnessed the arrival of the bombers. One commented: "It gives you a feeling like a stone in your throat and an even bigger stone in your heart. This may as well be American soil here."

In the no-fly zones in Iraq, British and American pilots have been launching new raids on Iraqi defences.

Iraq claims that six civilians died and 15 were injured in one of the raids on the city of Basra located in the southern no-fly zone.

Senior Pentagon officials say the strikes have been on ground-to-ground missile systems and multiple launch rockets, which could be used against coalition troops invading Iraq.

But Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon insisted to the Commons that the RAF's planes were acting "entirely in self-defence" within international law.

US and British warplanes have patrolled the northern and southern zones since the end of the 1991 Gulf War. They were set up to protect Kurds and Shia Muslims from persecution.

Officially, the pilots' missions are defensive, attacking surface-to-air missile sites and aircraft in response to Iraqi hostilities.

Experts say an increase in the raids last year heralded America's determination to blitz Saddam's air defences in preparation for war.

Ministry of Defence and US Central Command officials insisted that the additional raids were in response to increased Iraqi aggression against their aircraft.

But analysts pointed to an apparent intention to destroy Iraq's air defences piece by piece, including anything which could be used against an invasion force.

[Sparta]

The pieces continue to fall into place. We have to go through with removing Saddam now. If we don't, it will make us look weak and we'll have another 9/11 within weeks.

[KantianBurke]

Those planes are my grandfather's age correct?

[RoughDobermann]

That depends. How old is your grandfather?

[Frank_Discussion]

Is your grandfather about 50 years old? If so, then yes. And I saw something the other day that they expect to retire them sometime around the year 2090.

They are great aircraft, tough-as-nails, and seem to take upgrades in stride. One of those wonderful moments in engineering that don't come along that often.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Those planes are my grandfather's age correct?

Unless you are a very precocious one or two year old, unlikely. The last H model BUFF, the only ones still flying, came off the line in October of '62.

[ken5050]

actually, maybe it was his grandfather who was "precocious"......LOL

[Frank_Discussion]

Thanks for the elucidation!

[RobbyS]

Like the DC-3, some of which--I think--are still flying. But, then some things if properly maintained go on forever. "The Constitution," is still seaworthy.

[Frank_Discussion]

Both Constitutions (the ship and the document) are in this condition!

[RobRoy]

>>They are great aircraft, tough-as-nails, and seem to take upgrades in stride. One of those wonderful moments in engineering that don't come along that often.<<

They are a product and symbol of a better America.

The ultimate B-17, in a way.

It's hard to see one in flight and not draw a tear.

[Frank_Discussion]

Aww, c'mon now, the sun hasn't set on this country yet. 'Tis merely cloudy skies!

[PhiKapMom]

These are B-52 H's which are the only ones left in the inventory, the G's are at Davis-Monthan and the previous models have been destroyed except for those on static display around the Country.

They are definitely not your grandfather's age although the original design goes back to the 50's. The B-52H's are continually undergoing upgrade and will be around for a lot more years.

[PhiKapMom]

These are B-52 H's which are the only ones left in the inventory, the G's are at Davis-Monthan and the previous models have been destroyed except for those on static display around the Country.

They are definitely not your grandfather's age although the original design goes back to the 50's. The B-52H's are continually undergoing upgrade and will be around for a lot more years.

[Robe]

They are great aircraft, tough-as-nails, and seem to take upgrades in stride. One of those wonderful moments in engineering that don't come along that often.

I had the oppertunity to be vectored to check out a '52 outbound from Hanoi.
Seems he had taken a unexploded SAM through the wing between the #3 and #4 engine.
I gave hin a look over, the fuel had stopped leaking out of the hole and there was some wires and stuff hanging out. I reported the damage to him, and after a few moments ,which I'm sure was a consultation with his engineer and crew, he elected to continue on to a tanker and then on to Guam.
I understand he made it back OK

[SamAdams76]

Peace campaigners witnessed the arrival of the bombers. One commented: "It gives you a feeling like a stone in your throat and an even bigger stone in your heart. This may as well be American soil here."

What ungrateful dirtbags. Had it not been for America, it would have been German soil.

[struwwelpeter]

SAM through the wing between the #3 and #4 engine.

That was one skinny SAM! I suspect you meant to write "between the starboard inboard and outboard engine pods which contain engines 5,6 & 7,8."

[Robe]

You are most correct sir....
I gets confused over anything over two engines, they were enough for me to keep up with. (Old F-4j jock)

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

Move 'em on, head 'em up
Head 'em up, move 'em on
Move 'em on, head 'em up
Rawhide!
Count 'em out, ride 'em in,
Ride 'em in, count 'em out,
Count 'em out, ride 'em in
Rawhide!

[RooRoobird14]

The B-52 G and H models have to be between 35 and 40 years old--definitely older than most of the pilots who fly them.

I'm amazed these things are still around. Hubby flew G models from 1979-1982, and they were considered old then.