A 2nd Bomb Wing B-52H Stratofortress flies over the UNSN 2nd Lt John P Bobo, a maritime pre-positioning ship, during a maritime intercept training mission, Aug 24. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
That’s the PR line, at least. I think it’s the Air Force equivilant of a silverback gorilla pounding its chest above a weaker, lesser opponent. That’s how we pronounce dominance, Merchies Squids!
that’s not a merchie! that’s one of the maritime pre-positioning ships, named after a Marine MoH recipient!
don’t try to guilt me into submission with that MoH line, Sir!
Thanks for the photo, that is a big ship!
OOH, OOH! looky the US Air Force can now do what the old Soviet Air Force could do every day!
With jet engines no less!
Just forward of the picture crop is a CIWS lining up to splash the low and slow bomber.
“I don’t know but it’s been said, Air Force wings are made of lead …”
(ducks)
Well, you probably won’t find our ships buzzing AF Bases…
But I’d be more impressed if the Buff was landing on USNS 2nd Lt John P Bobo’s flight deck…instead of just enjoying a Kodak moment.
Commemoration of 70th anniversary of the interception of the Rex. Probably wouldn’t have been any B-17s for WWII if I hadn’t done that.
I just like that we have a ship named the Bobo. That’s probably the toughest crew in any service, or at least they are after their first shore leave…
I met a Vietnam-era BUFF driver once. He said he was returning from Hanoi one day and saw a carrier off the coast of Guam. Being a pilot, of course he couldn’t resist, so he dropped the gear and flaps and lined up on approach. Of course he just gave them a nice fly-by, but when he landed at the nearby air base, an Admiral was waiting for him. He said the Admiral got a good laugh out of it, despite the stern admonishment to “Never do that again.”
I have 8.7 hours in my log book riding in a B-52G from Loring to VACAPES and back. We ran 5 simulated harpoon attacks on two cruisers. I was amazed how low those guys flew that big airplane.
The MITO take off in dogshit weather was pretty cool too.
Too bad the BUFF’s don’t carry Harpoon anymore.
The only reason the Buff does not carry the Harpoon anymore is because the mission has changed. ie. Cold War.
The rotary launchers and other hardware can be broke out of storage in a heartbeat. A B52 loaded with 16 Harpoon missles could make short work out of any ship or fleet.
The Bobo and its3 sister ships use to spend the winters anchored of the beach here in the early 1990′s (Panama City FL).
I can think of at least two contingencies where a BUFF carrying Harpoons would come in really handy. Or for that matter 16 SLAM -ER………..
That’s not 2BW. thats the 49TES, under the 53rd wing. Theyre a tenet unit.
Mustang,
A B52 loaded with 16 Harpoon missles could make short work out of any ship or fleet.
No disrespect but, now back to reality. Yes the B-52 could knock out a cargo ship if she were unescorted however, if you believe a B-52 with a measly 16 Harpoons could take out a modern US Navy combatant (i.e. CVN, CG, DDG) the fight would be over before the buff could reach launch range.
FYI, I have 12 yrs as a Missile Electronics Technician (ACM, ALCM, Harpoon, SRAM, B-52G/H, B-1B, and FB-111A) and 10 years as a Surface Warfare Officer on both CVN’s and CG’s.