Warbird Information Exchange

Arizona Daily Star (Tucson)
August 2, 2008

18 B-52s To Become Parts, Scrap

By Associated Press

The first of 18 bombers to be retired from the nation's B-52 force in the coming months left Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota last week for Tucson, Air Force officials say.

The 18 bombers are to be retired at the rate of one every two weeks, alternating between Minot and Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

They are headed to Tucson to be stripped for spare parts before they are scrapped.

The chairman of Minot's base-retention committee, Mark Jantzer, said officials had fought to keep the entire fleet of 94 B-52s, but the Air Force settled on 76.

Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton, a Minot base spokesman, said the plane that left Minot last week for retirement was assigned to Barksdale but had been at Minot because of a parking shortage in Louisiana.

"It is a truly sad time when we decommission a plane," said Lt. Col. Bill Stahl, deputy commander of the 5th Maintenance Group at Minot Air Force Base. "But the aircraft has served her country well."

The bomber that left last week was built in 1961. Jantzer said Minot officials hope to have one of the retired B-52s placed on permanent display.

"It is easier and cheaper to modify and maintain 76 planes than to keep all 94 up and running," said Master Sgt. Curtis Jensen, production superintendent for the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at the Minot base.

The decision on which planes to retire was based on a number of criteria that assessed each plane, Stahl said.

"It's not like the aircraft are all rusted and corroded; it's just that the selected 18 are not as airworthy as the first 76," he said.

The Minot base is slated to get a second squadron of B-52s and more than 1,000 more active-duty personnel, starting next year.



Mike in Florida
USAF Aircrew Life Support
Now Known As
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"Your Life Is Our Business"

I'd wondered how long it would take to start the stand-down of the H models. The procurement of parts to keep the survivors flying will improve for the maintenance folks, so there is something good to come of it.

Seems that the AP got the story wrong. The are not being parted out and sent to D/M. They will be held in flyable storage at Tinker.

"When planes arrive at Tinker AFB, maintenance crews will cover all vents, engines and vulnerable areas. The planes will then be stored in a hangar in case they are needed sometime down the road, Sergeant Jensen said. "

The full story here.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123108767

Mike

That's good news for the airframes, Mike. I have flown over Tinker numerous times, and I can't imagine they have hangarage for that many B-52s unless they can use the Douglas plant assembly hall. Thanks for the link.

Speaking of Tinker, here are a couple of shots that were taken in on 3-25-48 of a tornado that took out a number of stored airplanes there. A large number of B-29s (including many B-models that were 315th Wing combat veterans), some C-54s and other assorted machines were wadded up in this storm.



Scott