Originally Posted by
GlobalNav
Somebody must must have written a book about how the operating assumptions for the B-52 have evolved over the last 65 years. First it was a long range, high altitude nuclear deterrent. Then it became a long range low altitude nuclear deterrent, to avoid enemy radars. Remember the wrinkled skins that resulted from the low level turbulence? Then, it’s use in south Viet Nam was a huge change, high altitude conventional “dumb bomb” carpet bomber. When used over North Viet Nam, of course, it was high altitude again, but now in a highly defended airspace, and they took severe losses due to obsolete tactics (in spite of the excellent advise offered by the Thud and Phantom tactics shops). The next major combat use I can think of is the Gulf Wars (were they used over Bosnia?). They became high-altitude close air support (CAS) of all things, employing precision-bombs. Most of this time, perhaps still?, the Buff remained part of the nuclear deterrent triad, though I suppose in the latter years this depended on long range standoff munitions. How many times over the years were long range B-52 operational demonstrations used to send a warning to mischievous dictators?
General LeMay would be proud of what the Boeing Company of yesteryear was cable of building and it stood the test of time. It’s had a major role in Cold War for which it was built, and a much broader utility than imagined at first, for which the free world should be grateful.
Also for a time some were assigned to NATO for N.Atlantic Anti-shipping with Harpoon.