B-52 (BUFF) info

[Guest gonads]

What is the current (and projected) TDY/deployment rates of the Buffs? I understand that they are not deployed in the normal AEF cycle. Also, where do they go when they do go overseas? Just trying to find out my options as an EWO.....

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Buffs go to Guam, Diego Garcia, or England depending on what theater we are operating in or where we want to show force.

Ops tempo vary's of course on the AFs needs but typicaly 3 months a year.

From my understanding, ECs are only deployed at the beginning of a war, b/c thats when we need their capabilities. But, I understand they spend alot of time in Vegas.

[Guest deweygcc]

No BUFFs in Diego yet.... but the bones are there now so plan on going as the MC rate for bones.... should be calculated the other way around.

BuFFS are in Guam 4 months a year.

England is a TDY if you are lucky. Dont count on it.

No clue about E/Cs.

If you don;t have a serious reason to stay in Barksdale, I would recommend Minot. Weather is weather, there is a point that no matter how much hotter, or how much colder it gets you arent going out. So 96 degree is just as unbearable as 104. Same with 20F and 32F.

[scoobs]

Is flying in a BUFF that bad?I heard lots of bad things about being hot and stinky.

[Guest gonads]

Hot? Nothing is that hot at FL350. As far as stinky goes, I bet its just the smell of old electronics and old airplane smell. Smells great to me, besides, you probably just block it out after a while.

[Guest deweygcc]

I guess that depends on the model. I didnt have a problem but Ive heard of the infamous puke smell in the oxygen mask. But thats not something I have experienced.

It gets a bad rap because people are in a "hole" and eject down. First you ARENt in a hole, as the Nav spend most of his/her time in the scope or working a time control issue, staring out the window isnt huge, oh you do have 2 Camera that can zoom. You can look 30 degree down, so below the jet. The E model and some Ds had a window but it was really useless, as the BONES window is useless.

As far as ejecting down... if you havent figured out there is a problem nothing is gonna save you if you wait till 200 feet, because 250 is the supposed lowest. BUFFs dont crash down low unless the plane is doing something stupid ALA fairchild. Its really not a big deal. I highly doubt a pilot is going to punch when he has a fully loaded 400,000+ jet full of fuel and weapons aiming toward a population center, all he needs to do is pitch up a bit or roll.

[scoobs]

dewey are you a pilot or a nav on the BUFF?

[Guest deweygcc]

Nav. And yeah when you look at the seat the first time you are like humm. Then you sit down and you're good to go. Its one of those things that you need to see working to appreciate, meaning you need to see the EVS up and radar. I *****ed about the Radar in another thread, but we have a kick ass radar. I of course, would like better, but who wouldnt. I dont care if you own an F40 ferrari , if someone asks you if you want a better one, you take it :D

[JS]

Random questions on Buffs and bombers in general - do you guys have to haul your own parachutes to the aircraft or are they built into the seats like on some fighters? Also, does every crewmember on every bomber wear a helmet? For the entire mission or can they take them off at times?

[Guest sheep44]

Another random question. What is it like to fly the long missions that B-52's regularly perform? I think it is a remarkable aircraft, but I wonder what it would be like to actually sit in it for 15 hours at a time.

[Mitch Weaver]

The chutes are integrated into each of the six seats (Pilot, Co, Radar Nav, Nav, EWO, gunner) and are not very comfortable. You don't have to be strapped in and wearing a helmet for the entire flight; just during the critical phases (takeoff, landing, AR, unplanned manuevers).

[scoobs]

Whats a better base Barksdale or Minot?

[Guest gonads]

From what I have heard around the boards, if you have a family and are comfortable with the cold, Minot is great, but if you want to get rank and don't have much in the way of dependents (think only a wife) then Barks is good. Just a generality that I have heard thrown around.

[Guest Youngnita]

Second what Gonads said. A classmate of mine was originally projected to go to Barksdale (what he wanted)for his first assignment but once he got there and started his training he was told he would be headed for Minot. Can't remember why his orders were changed. Anyway, he's ecstatic about going to Minot now. He was vague, but said he is very ready to leave Barksdale. I've been there (Barksdale) and it was alright.

[Guest deweygcc]

To clear up any misunderstandings about assignments before they start.

1. everyone is given orders to KBAD. You get your assignment after 3-6 weeks.

2. Its a WAG as to who stays where. Class ranking before or during FTU has absolutely NOTHING to do with your assigment.

3. Some people hate the south and can't wait to leave, but don't take a mad desire to get somewhere as them hating a place. I would guess that some people are sick of training for 1.5-2+ years, in the BUFF WORLD, and can't wait to get started in an operational squadron.

[Guest deweygcc]

Originally posted by sheep44:

Another random question. What is it like to fly the long missions that B-52's regularly perform? I think it is a remarkable aircraft, but I wonder what it would be like to actually sit in it for 15 hours at a time.

Depends on your job, and most are 8 hours. You arent welded to the seat by any means.

[Guest gonads]

Is there anything you can do to keep barksdale and instead of going up north? maybe make your intentions known?

[Mitch Weaver]

The pecking order of who gets to stay at KBAD and who doesn't, at least when i was there, was:

1. Class SRO (i.e. if there's a captain in the class- no rank among Lt's)

2. Joint-spouse considerations

3. Misc. This could be anything from having elderly family in the area to having started your master's at LSU or something.

I/we didn't think we were going to want to leave KBAD, but after being there for a few weeks, the choice was obvious. Minot's a good place with good people, but doesn't seem to be the greatest place if you're a single guy.

Dewey,

As for the gel seats- haven't heard anything about that- but any creature comforts are definitely appreciated.

[Guest PilotCPB]

I've been looking up some AFRC units online, and I noticed the 917th wing at Barksdale has two squadrons: the 47th FS (A-10 RTU) and the 93rd Bomb Squadron (B-52). The only piece of info I can really find about the 93rd is that they are the sole AFRC operator of B-52s. Do they send new guys to UPT for the buff or do they only hire active B-52 drivers?

Thanks,

Chris

[Guest samsdog]

PilotCPB,

9 times out of 10 the 93rd will hire BUFF drivers, basicly due to 3 active squadrons 1 mile down the road. I only know of one new pilot that the 93rd hired.

[Guest mrharvester]

I know they hire navs for the BUFF. I was in OTS with two guys from that squadron going to UNT.

[JS]

The AFRC B-52 unit at Barksdale DOES indeed hire dudes right off the street to fly BUFFS.

I was offered a slot there but turned it down for a slot at my current unit. I went to OTS with a guy who was hired by the 93rd to fly BUFF's for them. And while at UPT, I saw 3 other dudes get their assignments on assignment night to Barksdale as B-52 pilots in the AFRC. While in talks with them, they told me that they typically hire 2-4 dudes per year. This would add up since I saw 3 of them in a year just at my UPT base.

I can't remember the guy I used to talk to there, but start calling. If I remember correctly, it took me dozens of phone calls and getting different numbers from different people just to get in touch with the right guys. Just ask the base operator for the chief pilot in the 93rd and start asking questions.

Good luck, and PM me if you have any other questions regarding getting a AFRC pilot slot.

JS

[scoobs]

Can anybody tell me what life is like in the Buff?How often do you fly,upgrades,and deployments.Thanks

[Guest Walter_Sobchak]

Well I know there are some B-52 ops guys on the board, so they can probably answer you better than I can, but I'll give you what I know from being an FTU student. Being a co, plan on 1-2 sorties per week while at home. Mission needs are going to dictate what you fly while deployed. Upgrading to the left seat will probably take a minimum of two years BUT remember that squadron manning and the need for certain crew positions will be a big player in that. There are guys who pin on Captain and immediately go through PUP. Then again, there are guys who spend three years in an assignment as cos. Like I said, the posters in operational squadrons probably have a better handle on deployment specifics than I do, but let me know if there are any specifics I can answer.

[Mitch Weaver]

Mission planning up north is done in a few ways. There are show & go sorties which are planned by an MPC (a line crew led by an OSS team chief), crew planned sorties (similar to how it's done at the FTU minus the ass pain), and consolidated sorties which are canned routes that are planned on fly day with missile, bombing, and AR activity already scheduled.

There are pros & cons with each type. Some guys don't like to have someone else plan their mission, while others would rather have someone else do all the work. Either way, you're responsible for what you fly with-whether you or someone else planned it.