Barksdale Air Force Base

One Military Day

Senior Airman Cody Brann, 2nd Maintenance Squadron avionics backshop, inspects the 47-section of a B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. The B-52 has onboard systems such as flight control, communications and navigation which must be inspected during regular intervals to ensure the systems are working properly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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When Darkness Falls: continuing the mission at night

Airman 1st Class Jordan Futch, 2nd Operations Support Squadron air traffic control apprentice, updates the Automatic Terminal Information Service system on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. The ATIS updates every hour, giving pilots current weather and airfield status. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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One Military Day

Senior Airmen Cody Brann and Sam Ritzman, 2nd Maintenance Squadron avionics backshop, inspect an electronic counter measure box inside a B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Avionics is similar to the human body?s nervous system and vital to the flights of the B-52 onboard systems such as flight control, communications and navigation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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One Military Day

Senior Airman David Hansen, left, and Staff Sgt. Marcella Phillips, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons loaders, detach and lower a common strategic rotary launcher from a B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Weapons loaders are key to keeping the B-52 loaded with different configurations of munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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One Military Day

Senior Airman David Hansen, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons loader, inspects a common strategic rotary launcher at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Weapons loaders are key to keeping the B-52H Stratofortress loaded with different configurations of munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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When Darkness Falls: continuing the mission at night

Senior Airman Daniel Cabezas, 2nd Operations Support Squadron air traffic control journeyman, scans the runway for hazards that could disrupt a safe landing on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. ATC Airmen are responsible for separating aircraft and issuing safety alerts to allow B-52H Stratofortress aircraft to accomplish the mission safely. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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One Military Day

Staff Sgt. Richardt Figueroa, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, inspects intake blades on a B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Crew chiefs are responsible for the entire aircraft and ensuring it is ready day or night. They are experts in keeping the plane fit-to-fly by inspecting engines, hydraulics, electrical, tires, brakes and more to ensure aircrew's safety. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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One Military Day

Staff Sgt. Marcella Phillips, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons loader, checks clearance of a common strategic rotary launcher at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. A five person crew is needed to check all clearances of a rotary launcher when loading or unloading inside a B-52H Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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One Military Day

Staff Sgt. Marcella Phillips and Senior Airman David Hansen, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons loaders, position a common strategic rotary launcher at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. For the past 60 years, the B-52H Stratofortress has provided long-range bombing capability and is capable of launching the widest array of weapons in the U.S. arsenal. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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When Darkness Falls: continuing the mission at night

A B-52H Stratofortress receives maintenance inside a hangar on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Although these aircraft are nearly 60 years old, they have the ability to execute every tasking for global strike operations anytime… anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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One Military Day

Staff Sgt. Richardt Figueroa, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, removes a starter cartridge on a B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. A starter cartridge uses shotgun type cartridges filled with gun powder to rapidly start all eight engines on a B-52. This allows the aircraft to take off at a moment's notice if called upon to do so. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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One Military Day

Airman 1st Class Robert Garcia, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief marshals a taxiing B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Marshalling is one-on-one visual communication and a part of aircraft ground handling. It is an alternative to radio communications between the aircraft commander and crew chief to signal when to taxi. Aircraft maintainers work round-the-clock providing support to mission while exhibiting Air Force core values such as service before self. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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One Military Day

Capt. Brandon Fritz, 96th Bomb Squadron aircraft commander, removes a starter cartridge on a B-52H Stratofortress under the supervision of Staff Sgt. Richardt Figueroa, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. A starter cartridge uses shotgun-type cartridges filled with gun powder to rapidly start all eight engines on a B-52. This allows the aircraft to take off at a moment's notice if called upon to do so. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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One Military Day

A B-52H Stratofortress sits on the flightline at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Maintenance Airmen and Aircrews work around-the-clock providing support to answer the nation?s call to action anytime or anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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When Darkness Falls: continuing the mission at night

2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations works around the clock maintaining and operating government vehicles on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Thousands of dedicated professionals work through the night to ensure equipment and personnel are prepared to operate in any situation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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One Military Day

Airman 1st Class Robert Garcia, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, marshals a taxiing B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Marshalling is one-on-one visual communication and a part of aircraft ground handling. It is an alternative to radio communications between the aircraft commander and crew chief to signal when to taxi. Aircraft maintainers work around-the-clock providing support to mission while exhibiting Air Force core values such as service before self. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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When Darkness Falls: continuing the mission at night

2nd Security Forces Squadron patrolmen respond to an incident on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. 2nd SFS Airmen protect the installation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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One Military Day

A B-52H Stratofortress sits on the flightline at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Maintenance Airmen and aircrews work around-the-clock providing support to answer the nation's call to action anytime? anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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When Darkness Falls: continuing the mission at night

2nd Operations Support Squadron air traffic control Airmen work throughout the night to ensure the safety of aircrew on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. Each controller has a part of flight operations, from taxiing on the ground to take-off, and maintaining aircraft in the air to landing them safely. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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When Darkness Falls: continuing the mission at night

A B-52H Stratofortress prepares to land on the flightline at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 8, 2015. America’s bomber fleet is a deterrent to our enemies and diplomatic tool used by our government and our allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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Lights out: completing the mission after dark

Published April 14, 2015