The B-52A first flew in 1954, and the B model entered service in 1955. A total of 744 B-52s were built with the last, a B-52H, delivered in October 1962. The first of 102 B-52H’s was delivered to Strategic Air Command in May 1961. The H model can carry up to 20 air launched cruise missiles. In addition, it can carry the conventional cruise missile that was launched in several contingencies during the 1990s, starting with Operation Desert Storm and culminating with Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Presently, only the H model is still in the Air Force inventory and is assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB in North Dakota, and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, which fall under Air Force Global Strike Command. The aircraft is also assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command’s 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB.
This video shows how it works and what it looks like to feed the belly of the monstrous B-52 bomber with tons of bombs during B-52 bomb reloading. You can also see the B-52 bomb drops at the end. A thrilling sight of a thrilling aircraft.
Check it out:
[revad2]
