America's Oldest Bombers Have Officially Been Flying for the Air Force for 70 Years

America's oldest bombers have officially been flying for the Air Force for 70 years

The US Air Force has plans and upgrades to keep the B-52 active into the 2050s.U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard P. EbensbergerThe B-52 Stratofortress, America's oldest bomber, is celebrating another decade in service this year.The plane has seen action in a number of conflicts and remains a major component of long-range strike capabilities.The Air Force has plans to keep the B-52 active until the 2050s, but upgrades have at times been del…

U.S. Air Force: B-52 Stratofortress marks 70 years of service with continued modernisation

The first operational B-52 was delivered to the 93rd Bomb Wing at Castle Air Force Base, California, following a seven-hour training mission from the Boeing Moses Lake testing facility at Larson AFB, Washington. Although AFGSC had not yet been established at the time, the mission signified the birth of principles that now define the command: strategic deterrence, long-range strike, and bomber readiness.     The final B-52H model entered service …