Cold War Relic

The Boeing B-52 "Stratofortress" dates back to the 1950s, as the first B-52A rolled out in 1954. This US Air Force Reserve Command B-52H, 60-0041 (c/n 464406), belongs to the 93rd Bomber Squadron "Indian Outlaws", from Barksdale AFB, LA. This "Stratofortress" was built in 1960, and has been through several modifications. Especially in recent years, as the Cold War between the USA and the USSR ended, its mission role changed from a nuclear bomber, to a conventional weapons bomber. One thing was certain, when this bomber took off, it created a huge roar, and left a dense smoke plume and a smoke trail that seemed to go as far as the eye could see. Why it was in Hawai‘i? Only USAF knows.

It's seen here taxiing to the east end of the "Reef Runway", as the winds were blowing from the southwest, thus reversing the air traffic pattern at HNL. This big bird took its time taxiing from the west end. It moved so slowly ... that a rain shower band came from behind it, and passed it, as the B-52H was half-way down the taxiway. The crewman running alongside the jet was making sure the outboard wheels did not damage the taxiway lights. There was a van guiding this ancient bird, and the crewmen took turns running.

This plane is over 45 years old ... that's older than me! Some of the flight and ground crews are only about half of its age. And the Air Force wants to keep these birds around for another 15 years(!). They sure built these planes tough! Who would have thought that the two of the mainstays of the Air Force (the B-52s and the KC-135s) average 40 years in age.