Aircrew prepares B-52 for takeoff

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La., March 16, 2012 — B-52H Stratofortress aircrews spend several hours flying bomber missions around the globe. But aircrew members spend even more hours preparing for each flight.

Prior to any mission, B-52H aircrews are required to follow specific guidelines and preparation steps days before the actual flight.

"On the day before we fly, we have a mission planning brief," said Capt. Joseph Blanc, 20th Bomb Squadron aircraft commander. "During the mission planning we make sure all crew members are current on their training. The crew usually spends the day coming up with a training scenario and decides how to employ the weapons to strike their target."

Other than some paperwork, their work day ends there. Crew members need a good amount of rest to properly prepare themselves for their flight the next day.

"The crew shows up about two-and-a-half hours before takeoff," Blanc said. "We meet up in the squadron and then go to the Integrated Operations Center."

At the IOC, located in Hangar 9, the aircrew picks up the equipment they need and listens to their final briefing before heading out to the aircraft.

"We receive our weather briefing, the parking lot location of our aircraft and file some paperwork," he said. "Usually, the last piece of equipment we grab is our flight helmets."

The aircrew must adjust flight plans depending on the weather, said Capt. Ken Sterling, 20 BS instructor radar navigator. They use that information to reschedule the time and place they need to refuel.

Once flight plans are adjusted, it's time to go. At the aircraft, the aircrew and crew chiefs exchange information and discuss last minute details.

"We talk to them about the type of mission we are doing, the general procedures for ground checks and starting the engines," Blanc said. "The crew chiefs discuss maintenance forms with us. If there are any write-ups or other general things, the aircrew needs to know."

Aircrew members begin their own aircraft inspections after speaking with the crew chiefs.

"Each member of the aircrew has his or her own part of the aircraft he or she needs to check out," Sterling said. "Every compartment has its own items of interest. For example, bombardiers will check the bomb bay and any kind of weapons."

While inside the aircraft, the aircrew check the switches to make sure they are setup correctly, Blanc said. They also check parachutes and the onboard oxygen supply.


"Once all of our checks are done and the aircraft systems are working normally, we consult with the tower and the crew chiefs on the radio," he said. "The tower gives us clearance to start the engines."

During the engine startup, both the aircrew and crew chiefs ensure there are no problems with the engines, he said. The crew chiefs focus on the exterior of the aircraft while the aircrew focuses on the interior.

If there are no problems during the startup, the crew chiefs start to taxi the aircraft out. Once the tower gives the aircraft permission to take off, the aircrew can finally begin its flight mission: patrolling the skies and executing bomber missions anytime, anywhere.