Airmen from the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare several B-52H Stratofortress bombers for takeoff during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. The 2nd Bomb Wing conducts training exercises to constantly refine and improve operational procedures and capabilities. Realistic training during wing exercises is critical to the wing's ability to respond quickly and efficiently to real world situations, and is a vital part of Air Force readiness. Wing Airmen train daily to ensure base units are ready to fight any challenge, anywhere and at anytime. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
B-52H Stratofortress bombers fly, prepare to takeoff and sit on the flightline during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. The 2nd Bomb Wing conducts training exercises to constantly refine and improve operational procedures and capabilities. Realistic training during wing exercises is critical to the wing's ability to respond quickly and efficiently to real world situations, and is a vital part of Air Force readiness. Wing Airmen train often to ensure base units are ready to fight any challenge, anywhere at anytime. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress takes off from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5 during an exercise. The exercise evaluated the readiness of 2nd Bomb Wing aircrews, aircraft maintainers and support Airmen. Wing Airmen train often to ensure base units are ready to fight any challenge, anywhere at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress takes-off during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. Exercises are used to prepare the 2nd Bomb Wing for inspections and helps the wing maintain a state of readiness in order to complete its mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress flies overhead during an exercise on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. The exercise evaluated the readiness of 2nd Bomb Wing aircrews, aircraft maintainers and support Airmen. Wing Airmen train often to ensure base units are ready to fight any challenge, anywhere at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress maneuvers in the sky during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. The B-52 first came off the assembly line 60 years ago in 1952, with the last model, the B-52H, being delivered to Minot Air Force Base, N.D., in 1962. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress approaches the flightline to perform a touch-and-go landing as 2nd Bomb Wing Airmen prepare other B-52H Stratofortress bombers for takeoff during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. The 2nd Bomb Wing was evaluated on its ability to accurately and efficiently perform their mission anytime and anywhere when called upon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress prepares to perform a touch-and-go landing as another B-52H prepares to takeoff during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. The exercise gave Airmen the opportunity to train for real world operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress performs a touch-and-go landing during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. A touch-and-go landing involves the aircraft landing on the runway for a brief moment and then taking off again. The aircraft will never come to a complete stop nor will it deploy its drag parachute when performing this maneuver. The 2nd Bomb Wing conducts training exercises to constantly refine and improve operational procedures and capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress performs a touch-and-go landing during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base La., June 5. A touch-and-go landing involves the aircraft landing on the runway for a brief moment and then taking off again. The aircraft will never come to a complete stop nor will it deploy its chute when performing this maneuver. The 2nd Bomb Wing conducts training exercises to constantly refine and improve operational procedures and capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress deploys its drag parachute as it lands during an exercise on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. The parachute is used to slow down the aircraft as it lands. The 2nd Bomb Wing conducts training exercises to constantly refine and improve operational procedures and capabilities. Realistic training during wing exercises is critical to the wing's ability to respond quickly and efficiently to real world situations, and is a vital part of Air Force readiness. Wing Airmen train often to ensure base units are ready to fight any challenge, anywhere at anytime. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A B-52H Stratofortress flies overhead during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. The exercise evaluated the readiness of the aircrews flying the aircraft as well as the Airmen maintaining them. Wing Airmen train daily to ensure base units are ready to fight any challenge, anywhere and at anytime. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
A T-38A Talon from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., sit between two B-52H Stratofortress bombers during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. Even when the 2nd Bomb Wing participates in an exercise, the transient alert team takes care of military and commercial aircraft that need refueling, emergency repairs and attention. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)
Three B-52H Stratofortress bombers sit on the flightline during an exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 5. The exercise highlighted the 2nd Bomb Wing's ability to respond quickly and perform its mission efficiently. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)