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Wednesday, February 28. 2024

B-52


My closest encounter with a B-52 was during a hike in Montana. That airplane was doing a low-altitude run right over our heads. As I recall, we were near a cliff where the Indians ran bison off. Sheesh. Why a low-altitude run?




Posted by Bird Dog at 15:43 | Comments (10) | Trackbacks (0)

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Dear Bird Dog:
When were you in MT? You should have gotten in touch so we could've had a coffee! Next time you come over let me know in advance.

Happy trails!
#1 faculty wife on 2024-02-28 16:14 (Reply)
Low level is the only way to deliver "special munitions" from an aircraft in near peer environments. The airborne leg of the strategic triad got risky quickly.
#2 Gamaliel (Link) on 2024-02-28 17:13 (Reply)
For most pilots and military planes it is an evasion training technique. Seeing it up close from the ground is kinda scary. The pilots have told me it is ass puckering especially when the plane is under automated control and at night in the mountains.
#3 OneGuy on 2024-02-28 19:42 (Reply)
General "Buck" Turgidson :

If the pilot's good, see, I mean if he's reeeally sharp, he can barrel that baby in so low... oh you oughta see it sometime. It's a sight. A big plane like a '52... varrrooom! Its jet exhaust... frying chickens in the barnyard!
#4 slm on 2024-02-28 20:02 (Reply)
Low level is pretty key to survivability in a high threat environment, especially upon ingress and egress (if one lives long enough for the latter)
#5 PCB on 2024-02-28 21:49 (Reply)
You have heard the phrase "Fly under the radar"? Done this many many times, in the mountains, at night and on NVG's.
#6 Steve (Link) on 2024-02-29 09:41 (Reply)
By the way, mine was in a MC-130E
#6.1 Steve (Link) on 2024-03-01 11:39 (Reply)
Not just B-52's. I was sitting a drill rig off the west end of Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah. The F-15's would sneak up on us from the west and roar past us right down on the deck. Pucker up every time. Also, if you were driving across the south boundary road they would come up behind you, again right on the deck. Tough to keep the truck in a straight line when that happened. We know they were laughing at us.
#7 rocdoctom on 2024-02-29 09:46 (Reply)
For your low-level enjoyment ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ELJkITPr0A
#8 JD in N AL on 2024-02-29 10:06 (Reply)
Saw a B-52 doing a low level through the Kansas flint hills east of Manhattan. I flew right over me as I was driving on I-70. I was an awesome experience.
#9 Martin (Link) on 2024-02-29 11:41 (Reply)

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