The B-52 Story

The B-52 first flew on April 15, 1952. During the Cold War, Strategic Air Command's fleet of B-52s were at a moment's readiness to make a one-way trip to targets in the Soviet Union and the road to perdition, or destruction. SAC's motto was "Peace Is Our Profession," although General Curtis E. LeMay maintained they were already "at war." The B-52 symbolized America's nuclear defense posture in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Dr. Strangelove appeared in 1963, a searing black comedy featuring B-52s in the leading role; and who can ever forget Slim Pickens astride a nuclear bomb rodeo fashion as it descends from the bomb bay of a B-52? The B-52 has been upgraded many times and has assumed several new roles. Apart from the formidable threat it provided during the Cold War, it has played a significant part in all U.S. overseas military operations since Vietnam. The more recent include Desert Storm in 1991, the Balkan Conflict, Afghanistan, and the liberation of Iraq. The B-52 is still in service around the world and it is predicted that it will continue to be so until 2040.