Waiting for the next mission

Two B-52H Stratofortress bombers stick out of a hanger on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 31. The B-52 provides the backbone of the bomber force with the ability for global attack and precision engagement. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)(RELEASED)

Buff staying mission ready

Maintenance crews work on B-52H Stratofortress Bombers in the early morning on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 19. With a well-rounded bomber force, the 2nd Bomb Wing and B-52s lead the way in global engagement. The long range and versatility of the B-52 make it the weapon of choice for providing deterrence, demonstrating U.S. resolve and combat operations around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

Phase Hangar

Senior Airman Greg Pagallo, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, inspects the throttle cables on the number two pod kneecap of a B-52H Stratofortress as Staff Sgt. Matt Lachney, 2 MXS, observes inside the Phase Hangar on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 1. These cables provide power to the landing gear and to the structures that flex the wings upward during flight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)

Phase Hangar

Senior Airman Hinz Bartnick, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, inspects the line replaceable units on a B-52H Stratofortress inside the Phase Hangar on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 1. The LRUs "talk" to each other to make sure the aircraft displays availability of electronic countermeasures to the aircrew. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)

Always ready

Staff Sgt. Jason Gibson, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, drains hydraulic fluid from a B-52H Stratofortress hydraulic reservoir on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 28. Hydraulic fluid levels are one of the many items maintainers routinely inspect on the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chad Warren)(RELEASED)

Always ready

Tech. Sgt. Jason Gamble, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, fixes safety wiring for a hydraulic quick disconnect hose on a B-52H Stratofortress engine on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 28. Airmen from the 2 AMXS routinely inspect and repair the aircraft, checking wiring, fluid levels and any other parts that may have discrepancies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chad Warren)(RELEASED)

Team Barksdale participates in surge

Senior Airman Kyle Matinzi and Airman 1st Class Sudarien Smith, both with the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, salute a B-52H Stratofortress before its departure for a surge mission at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. Surge missions ensure combat readiness and play an important role in the Barksdale mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

Year of the Buff

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)

Year of the Buff

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)

B-52H reaches milestone

The first B-52H to be assigned to Wurtsmith Air Force Base, which was also the first to be stationed on Michigan soil is parked behind the reviewing stand on Wurthsmith's runway. The ceremony, during which the Stratofortress bomber was christened "State of Michigan", was held May 11, 1961. (Courtesy photo)

Barksdale participates in Exercise Red Flag

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 participates in Exercise Red Flag

A B-52H Stratofortress from the 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., flies a sortie Feb. 1 during Exercise Red Flag at Nellis AFB, Nev. 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)

Combat veteran gets restored

Gene Smith paints a primer coat on a B-52D at the Eighth Air Force Museum, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 4. The B-52D is going through restoration including a paint and sheet metal replacement. The historic B-52D at Barksdale completed more than 400 missions in the Vietnam War and was flown during Operation Linebacker II. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. John Gordinier)

Combat veteran gets restored

The B-52D at the Eighth Air Force Museum, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., is going through restoration including a paint job and sheet metal replacement. The historic B-52D at Barksdale completed more than 400 missions in the Vietnam War and was flown during Operation Linebacker II. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. John Gordinier)

'I bowl'

Barksdale AFB, La- A B-52H Stratofortress flew over the audience at the Independence Stadium during the Independence Bowl Dec. 28 following the national anthem. As a special feature the B-52 was carrying the Litening II targeting pod that focused on the Barksdale Honor Guard on the field. The live video feed was integrated into the Independence Bowl Jumbotron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandra Longfellow) (RELEASED)

BUFFs land at Nellis for Red Flag 09-5

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- A B-52 assigned to the 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. arrives at Nellis AFB, Nev., Aug 21 to participate in Red Flag 09-5, an intense two-week combat scenario exercise. Red Flag is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range, north of Las Vegas. The exercise is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and Nellis, through the 414th Combat Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah E. Stegman)(RELEASED)

BUFFs land at Nellis for Red Flag 09-5

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Staff Sgt. Wesley Cantrell, 2d Maintenance Squadron, performs post flight maintenance on a B-52 assigned to the 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The B-52s arrived at Nellis AFB, Nev., Aug 21 to participate in Red Flag 09-5, an intense two-week combat scenario exercise. Red Flag is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range, north of Las Vegas. The exercise is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and Nellis, through the 414th Combat Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah E. Stegman)(RELEASED)

BUFFs land at Nellis for Red Flag 09-5

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Staff Sgt. Daniel Box, 2d Maintenance Squadron, performs post flight maintenance on a B-52 assigned to the 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The B-52s arrived at Nellis AFB, Nev., Aug 21 to participate in Red Flag 09-5, an intense two-week combat scenario exercise. Red Flag is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range, north of Las Vegas. The exercise is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and Nellis, through the 414th Combat Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah E. Stegman)(RELEASED)

BUFFs land at Nellis for Red Flag 09-5

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Staff Sgt.. Luke Hartsuff, 2d Maintenance Squadron, marshals a B-52, which landed here Aug. 21. The BUFF, assigned to the 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La., is here to participate in Red Flag 09-5, an intense two-week combat scenario exercise. Red Flag is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range, north of Las Vegas. The exercise is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and Nellis, through the 414th Combat Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah E. Stegman)(RELEASED)

BUFFs land at Nellis for Red Flag 09-5

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Senior Airman Kristin Horton directs a B-52 here Aug. 21. The BUFF, assigned to the 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La., is here to participate in Red Flag 09-5, an intense two-week combat scenario exercise. . Red Flag is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range, north of Las Vegas. The exercise is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and Nellis, through the 414th Combat Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah E. Stegman)(RELEASED)

Rough up the BUFF

A volunteer removes the paint from the exterior of a Boeing B-52 at the 8th Air Force Museum Airpark located on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 5. The maintenance marks the beginning of the renovation to the outside of the bomber. (U.S. photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Y. Bateman)

Boeing B-52

A volunteer washes the wing of a Boeing B-52 at the 8th Air Force Museum Airpark located on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec 5. The maintenance marks the beginning of the renovation to the outside of the bomber. (U.S. photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Y. Bateman)(Released)

B-52H proudly displays the American flag

B-52H bomber tail number 60-053 from the 2d Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. proudly displays the American flag as it taxii's out on a local training mission. Aircraft 60-053, call sign Raider 21, went down off the coast of Guam July 21, 2008. All six crew members were lost. (USAF Photo by Technical Sergeant Robert J. Horstman) (Released)

B-52H proudly displays the American flag

B-52H bomber tail number 60-053 from the 2d Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. proudly displays the American flag as it taxii's out on a local training mission. Aircraft 60-053, call sign Raider 21, went down off the coast of Guam July 21, 2008. All six crew members were lost. (USAF Photo by Technical Sergeant Robert J. Horstman) (Released)