B-52 strategic bombers conduct impressive elephant walk at Barksdale AFB

The B-52s lined up in close formation before taking off as part of a readiness exercise conducted to ensure the 2nd BW is able to provide the US and its allies with winning combat power.

Taken on Oct. 14, 2020 the impressive photos in this post show B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers from the 2nd Bomb Wing lining up on the runway at Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB), La. The military aircraft lined up in close formation before taking off as part of a readiness exercise conducted to ensure the 2nd BW is able to provide the US and its allies with winning combat power.

Through this readiness exercise, the 2nd BW proves that is able to ensure the ability to present uncompromising combat capacity too. 

The 2d Bomb Wing conducts the primary mission of Barksdale, with three squadrons of B-52H Stratofortress bombers – the 11th Bomb Squadron, which is the training squadron, the 20th Bomb Squadron and the 96th Bomb Squadron.

Together they ensure the 2d Bomb Wing provides flexible, responsive, global combat capability, autonomously or in concert with other forces, and trains all Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Force Reserve B-52 crews.

Today, as the largest bomb wing in the US Air Force (USAF) and part of the historic 8th Air Force, the wing continues to reflect the heritage of its motto, Libertatem Defendimus: “Liberty We Defend.”

The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions and has been the backbone of the strategic bomber force for the US for more than 60 years.

In May 2014, the Air Force introduced the first B-52 aircraft upgraded with an advanced communications system developed by Boeing into its fleet. The Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) modification added several communication data links, full-color LCD displays with real-time intelligence feeds overlaid on moving maps, a state-of-the-art computing network, and the ability to retarget a weapon, or mission parameters, in flight.

Photo credit: Senior Airman Lillian Miller and Senior Airman Tessa B. Corrick / U.S. Air Force