B-52 to operate out of RAAF Base Darwin

A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress long-range strategic bomber will conduct training activities in the Northern Territory and operate out of RAAF Base Darwin throughout next week.

File photo: USAF B-52 in Darwin in 2014. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Terry Hartin

A Defence spokesman said United States Air Force training in Australia continued a long-standing and mutually beneficial program of combined training activities and exercises.

There will be a media opportunity to film the aircraft’s arrival and interview the US crew during the week for outlets who register with the local Defence Public Affairs Officer, via the usual means.

However, exact flight dates are not being released for security reasons.

Now in its sixth decade of operational service, the B-52 continues to be a major force-projection asset for the US.

Boeing built 744 B-52s, in eight different models, from 1952 to 1962. The Air Force fleet today comprises 76 H-models — two test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and 74 operational aircraft that are assigned to Minot and to Barksdale Air Force Base, La. All the H-models were built in Wichita.

The youngest B-52 is already more than 50 years old and engineering analyses suggests that the remaining B-52 fleet can expect to continue in service for another 25 years at least.

 

 

 

 

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