BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFPN) -- Munitions on display show the full capabilities of the B-52 Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert J. Horstman)

The sun rises behind a B-52H Stratofortress on the flight line of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 27. The B-52 is capable of flying 7,652 nautical miles or 8,800 miles without being refueled by another aircraft. The BUFF is classified as a long-range, heavy bomber and is capable of carrying 70,000 pounds of mixed ordnance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Maintainers gather in front of a B-52 at Base X at the beginning of their shift Dec. 8. Airmen at the simulated forward operating location on base were tasked to re-generate aircraft as part of a conventional operational readiness inspection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah E. Stegman)(RELEASED)

Airmen 1st Class Eric Dearing and Airman 1st Class Sean Minnis, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron wash a B-52H Stratofortress in the Corrosion Control Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 19. Each part of the plane is meticulously scrubbed to prevent build-up of grime. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

Staff Sgt. Andrew Dennis, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, reads a technical order to Airman 1st Class Christopher Bellin, 2nd AMXS, as he conducts an entry hatch light checkout on a B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 28. A technical order is a 'how-to' job reference guide used to ensure safety and accuracy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

A group of weapons loaders transport a weapon to be loaded in the bomb bay of a B-52 at Base X, a simulated forward operating location, during Barksdale’s conventional readiness inspection Dec. 8. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah E. Stegman)(RELEASED)

Staff Sgt. Ben Norton, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, works to re-generate a B-52 at Base X Dec. 8. Airmen work around the clock to re-generate B-52H Stratofortresses at Base X, a simulated forward operation location, as part of an inspection to determine the bases readiness to rapidly deploy assets and personnel anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah E. Stegman)(RELEASED)

Airman 1st Class Matthew Turco and Senior Airman Justin Hamby, both assigned to the 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, discuss and annotate information on an aircraft form during a conventional operational readiness inspection Dec. 9. Airmen work around the clock to re-generate B-52H Stratofortresses at Base X, a simulated forward operation location, as part of an inspection to determine the bases readiness to rapidly deploy assets and personnel anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah E. Stegman)(RELEASED)

Airmen of the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron wash a B-52H Stratofortress in the Corrosion Control Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 19. The B-52 is a jet-powered strategic bomber and plays a vital role in the Barksdale mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

Tech. Sgt. Marlon George, 2nd Maintenance Operations Squadron, drives a MJ1 bomb lift truck to transport bombs from a storage trailer to a B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 30. Weapon loaders are tested monthly on proficiency and accuracy to ensure mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

A B-52H Stratofortress takes off from here. June 29 marked the bomber's 50th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo)

A B-52H Stratofortress from the 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., prepares to taxi the runway for a night sortie at Nellis AFB, Nev., during Exercise Red Flag Feb. 2. The purpose of Exercise Red Flag is to train pilots from the U.S., NATO and other allied countries for realistic combat scenarios. This includes the use of live ammunition for bombing exercises within the Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kevin Cox)

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – A B-52H Stratofortress lights up the flightline after igniting the wall of fire during the second day of the Barksdale 2010 Defenders of Liberty Air Show April 25. The wall of fire is a simulated bomb drop. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandra M. Longfellow) (RELEASED)

A B-52H Stratofortress sits on the flightline of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 30. The B-52 is a jet-powered strategic bomber and can hold over 60,000 pounds of weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)