Wolf Pack meets Buff challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA. --  In 1958, a gallon of gas cost 30 cents, a mid-sized house could be purchased for $18,000 and Barksdale Air Force Base received its first B-52 Stratofortress. Since then, the aircraft has seen many changes and undergone several tests and upgrades.

For the past 25 years, upgrading the B-52H Stratofortress has been the mission of the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron.

The 49 TES is comprised of military members and civilians that all work to better the B-52H's hardware, software, weapon systems, survivability, sustainability and lethality. The squadron is comprised of several shops, bringing in specialists from many different career fields.

"The 49 TES is a great squadron to work in," said Staff Sgt. Justin Millen, 49 TES computer systems programmer. "We come together and work hard to accomplish the mission."

The engineers and electronic technicians in the shop modify, enhance and test the equipment before it is put on the aircraft. The software engineers and computer technicians develop new programs and simulators. They also enhance electronic information capture and distribution systems and improve software and hardware.

The 49 TES aircrew fly the B-52Hs and test the equipment in combat scenarios. Once the tests are completed, the aircrew provides feedback to the analysts.

"Testing in war-fighting scenarios provides many challenges and can be very demanding," said Maj. Gavin Berne, 49 TES radar navigator. "However, testing in this manner is extremely valuable. It reveals the capabilities and flaws of the equipment."

The analysts study all the data collected during testing and present the results to their commanders. The commanders then brief the major commands on the outcome of all the tests, upgrades, flaws and developments.

"We help major commands understand the reliability and accuracy of aircraft and weapons so they can strategically develop defensive and offensive plans," said 1st Lt. Jeremy Thompson, 49 TES analyst.

Engineers, pilots, software engineers, analysts, electronic technicians and computer technicians are just a few of the positions in the squadron. Likewise, testing and development isn't the only thing the squadron does.

When new equipment is implemented into the B-52H, the 49 TES trains the cadre of the B-52H operational squadrons so they can train their own aircrews.

The 49 TES also conducts live-fire missile launches at the Utah Test and Training Range, as part of their Nuclear Weapon Systems Evaluation Program. The program grades the entire process needed from stockpile to target.

"Everything from getting the aircraft ready for takeoff, to the missile hitting the target and detonating is graded," said Thompson.

However, the 49 TES does depend on other units on Barksdale to help accomplish the mission.

"The 2nd and the 307th Bomb Wing's assistance is vital," said Lt. Col. Raymond Boulter, 49 TES commander. "Without them, we wouldn't be able to accomplish the mission. We are a small part of a big team."

Recently, the 49 TES has improved the B-52H in many areas. According to Boulter, the squadron has increased the lethality of the B-52H by 70 percent and has increased the aircraft's survivability by 75 percent. The 49 TES has also developed a cruise missile simulation program designed to give weapon operators hands-on training.

"We are using every tool at our disposal to make a better war fighter," said Millen.

The B-52 has been around for many conflicts and has played a huge role in defending our nation. With the help of the 49 TES, the B-52H is projected to remain in service until 2040.