Was not sent for spare parts: The second B-52 bomber returned to service with the USAF from conservation

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The second B-52 strategic bomber belonging to the US Air Force is undergoing maintenance at Tinker AFB. This is a plane previously named "Wise Guy". He was not sent for spare parts, as the original plans of the American command dictated, and joined the first bomber returned from conservation, called the Ghost Rider.

David Cenciotti writes about this on his resource The Aviationist.



After maintenance, the two aircraft will be returned to Minot Air Force Base.

They stood in the desert for several years until they were needed again. They were taken out of service and left at Davis-Montan Air Force Base in Arizona, where they were to be turned into spare parts for other bombers. They were no longer destined to fly.

For all history American military aviation only two B-52 bombers returned to service from the "aircraft graveyard".

The first to be resurrected was Ghost Rider, who in 2015 returned to service with the 5th Bomber Wing at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Until that time, he was mothballed in the desert for seven years. The second B-52, nicknamed "The Wise Guy," spent 10 years in the Arizona desert before returning to service late last year.

Now "resurrected" bombers undergo maintenance together. In the US Air Force, all B-52s undergo a similar procedure every four years. This is a very complex inspection process during which the aircraft is almost completely disassembled. Every detail is checked and all defects are eliminated. Even paint is removed from the entire airframe so that technicians can analyze every part of the bomber and make repairs where needed.

Previously, the United States was going to completely replace the B-52, which has been in service for more than 65 years, with newer strategic bombers. However, then it was decided to restore some of the aircraft sent for conservation. The US cited the "growing threat from Russia and China" as the reason
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  1. -6
    10 January 2021 15: 31
    The US cited the "growing threat from Russia and China" as the reason

    There are strong suspicions that they are demonstrating to Iraq their desire to attack that country in order to bargain new terms for a nuclear deal.
    I do not see any other serious reasons for the withdrawal from the conservation of this technology - now the United States has enough internal problems, they are not up to the war with China and Russia.
    1. +6
      10 January 2021 15: 33
      Quote: ccsr
      demonstrate to Iraq

      Learn political geography.
      1. +5
        10 January 2021 15: 37
        Quote: iouris
        Quote: ccsr
        demonstrate to Iraq

        Learn political geography.

        perhaps just a mistake.
        1. +1
          10 January 2021 16: 51
          Was not sent for spare parts: The second B-52 bomber returned to service with the USAF from conservation

          The Russian General Staff has already stated that the tension near the borders of the Russian Federation is growing.
          NATO, along with the exercises, is not just increasing the number of its provocations. Among NATO provocations, there is overtly cheeky behavior of STRATEGIC aviation at the Russian borders. Plus the frequent calls of warships in the Black, Baltic and Barents Seas.
          Experts believe that such behavior may be the threshold of aggression.

          At the same time, NATO is trying to play ADVANCED with Russia, spicing up its forces with Cunning. Namely: under the guise of NATO exercises, they are accumulating armored vehicles, increasing supplies, and replenishing warehouses. The contingent itself is disbanded after the maneuvers.

          Given all this, why the hell would the United States disarm ?!
          Therefore, the second B-52 bomber was not sent for spare parts, as previously announced, but returned to the US Air Force from conservation.
          1. -6
            11 January 2021 07: 27

            Doesn't the Russian Federation act the same way? Back in 2011, during the Vostok exercise, personnel were delivered to the Far East, where they were supplied with equipment from warehouses. This tactic is reasonable and adequate. allows you to significantly reduce the deployment time of the main forces. But Tatiana's commentary is a typical middle-class propaganda: the vile enemy is sharpening his capitalist grin at the gates, and the NATO kites behave aggressively in the pre-Russian sky. I just got through my soul, I throw my smartphone and run to the military registration and enlistment office to enroll in the militia.
            1. +3
              11 January 2021 08: 24
              Well, yes, and having transferred the troops to the Far East during the exercises, did we partially leave them (in equipment, in l / s) there? We conducted exercises in Cuba and Mexico? And NATO bases "do not drift" smoothly to the borders, do they?
              Doubts are somehow formed - whatever happens, and you throw your smartphone, yeah, and do not forget to stroke the laces before the ceremony "Farewell to the smartphone" ...
            2. 0
              12 January 2021 06: 21
              Quote: Bshkaus
              sneaky enemy at the gates sharpens his capitalist grin

              Maybe it was Russia that brought its borders closer to NATO countries, violating its assurances?
              Quote: Bshkaus
              I throw my smartphone and run to the recruiting office to enroll in the militia.

              You’ll probably wait from you, you’ll rather whine that "... a small salary ..."., And "... Putin is to blame ..." ...
        2. 0
          11 January 2021 13: 31
          Quote: FIR FIR
          perhaps just a mistake.

          Maybe. However, if the slip has such political implications, you need to look closely.
      2. -3
        10 January 2021 15: 41
        Every detail is checked and all defects are eliminated.

        And then over Europe, details are poured from them)
      3. +2
        10 January 2021 15: 51
        Quote: iouris
        Learn political geography.

        You need to take into account the capabilities of these aircraft. I just made a mistake, it was about IRAN, and you might guess since it was about a nuclear deal. By the way, this is one region.
        In terms of features, here's a fresh example:
        An unprecedented incident occurred yesterday in Ukraine - American B-52 strategic bombers flew over its territory. Better known as "flying fortresses".
        1. +4
          10 January 2021 21: 30
          Quote: ccsr
          American strategic bombers B-52. Better known as "flying fortresses".

          where do they write that? The generation of journalists isn't good.
          Boeing B-52 "Stratofortress" (English Boeing B-52 Stratofortress "Stratospheric fortress")

          и
          Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" (Boeing B-29 - "Superfortress")

          и
          Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (B-17 "Flying fortress")

          not the same!
          1. 0
            11 January 2021 12: 26
            Quote: Black Lotos
            where do they write that?

            In RIA Novosti
            https://ria.ru/20191024/1560132781.html
            Quote: Black Lotos
            The generation of journalists isn't good.

            This is not my part - I had nothing to do with their education. So I use what they present without my own edits.
            Quote: Black Lotos
            not the same!

            This has nothing to do with the essence of the message.
            1. 0
              11 January 2021 16: 11
              Quote: ccsr
              In RIA Novosti

              The trouble. The fall in the level of Internet users.
              Quote: ccsr
              So I use what they present without my own edits.

              You can use it, but this is a gross mistake on the profile site. Where everyone will point it out.
              Quote: ccsr
              This has nothing to do with the essence of the message.

              you understand what's the matter then .. Ria Novosti writes, you quote, from someone to postpone that the Flying Fortresses were flying. And that's all. You cannot knock out of consciousness with an ax.
              And if Flying Fortresses fly then only on historical shows.
              It is serious to be mistaken for two generations of Fortresses, although the quality of the media, especially in the historical, technical and geographical parts, has long been a reflection of poor education with the availability of information (Internet)
              1. 0
                11 January 2021 19: 07
                Quote: Black Lotos
                You can use it, but this is a gross mistake on the profile site.

                Yes, stop fantasizing, because in this case, not the official name of this aircraft was used, but just a slang name, and it may be different in different armies of the world. For example, Westerners call the same Tu-95 "Bear" and according to our designs it passed as "Project 95" and "Project 95/2", Tu-95 and nowhere else you will see the word "Bear" in our official documents.
                Quote: Black Lotos
                Ria Novosti writes, you are quoting, from someone to postpone that the Flying Fortresses were flying. And that's all. You cannot knock out of consciousness with an ax.

                Where did you see the official name "flying fortresses" in the official documents of the Ministry of Defense? The real name of the aircraft is always written there, not populist cliches invented abroad.
                Quote: Black Lotos
                For two generations of Fortresses, making a mistake is serious.

                Yes, the artist chose the wrong color of the manicure for the photo model, which spoiled the picture in the glossy magazine for our glamor.
                What are you dreaming of refuting in this case? The flight of this plane itself or something else?
                By the way, you yourself spelled it wrong, because the B-52 is not the true name of the American aircraft, because according to their classification it is listed as "Boeing B-52 Stratofortress", they do not have the letter "B" in their alphabet.
                Are B-52 and B-52 the same designation? This also directly testifies to your level of understanding of the issue with fortresses ...
    2. +3
      10 January 2021 15: 36
      And what is the correct spelling, Iraq or Iran ?!)
      1. +4
        10 January 2021 15: 44
        Quote: tTshka
        And what is the correct spelling, Iraq or Iran ?!)

        Write Russia, you can't go wrong
      2. +1
        10 January 2021 21: 41
        Quote: tTshka
        And what is the correct spelling, Iraq or Iran ?!)

        Write Honduras right away, you will definitely not confuse.
      3. 0
        11 January 2021 16: 19
        Quote: tTshka
        And what is the correct spelling, Iraq or Iran ?!

        Right and so, and so. But Iran is not Iraq. The converse is also true.
    3. 0
      10 January 2021 15: 40
      Quote: ccsr
      I do not see any other serious reasons for the withdrawal of this equipment from conservation - now the United States has enough internal problems, they have no time for the war with China and Russia

      So they believe that the war will write off the monstrous national debt and restart the economy ... They hope to sit out across the oceans ...
    4. 0
      10 January 2021 15: 44
      it was decided to restore some of the aircraft sent for conservation. The US cited the "growing threat from Russia and China" as the reason

      And you are more engaged in world diktat and throw sanctions even on those who do not want to take your toilet paper!
      1. 0
        10 January 2021 16: 02
        Everything will be fine. The day will come and the B-52 will dissipate like smoke. lol Their age is retirement. No matter how you poke around, the sand pours.
  2. +3
    10 January 2021 15: 56
    Looks like the desert is good, keeps, airplanes, seven years is not a joke!
    1. +5
      10 January 2021 16: 33
      In AMARC, planes are kept mothballed: plugs, gaps are filled with sealant, humidity is close to zero ... They are pulled out from time to time as needed, serviced, modernized, and forward. For all the time there was one serious incident: the 727's engine fell off after takeoff lol
    2. +2
      10 January 2021 17: 59
      What is there to store? Humidity is zero. Somewhere in Vietnam from them in a few years only a handful of rust would remain.
  3. +5
    10 January 2021 16: 01
    The "settler" in the Arizona desert is huge, so the Americans have great recovery opportunities ...
    1. +3
      10 January 2021 16: 09
      More than 90 B52 in storage now
      1. +4
        10 January 2021 16: 32
        Yes, it was they only the Soviet "Bears", "Bison" and "Backfires" demanded to destroy (and destroyed!), And carefully keep their own in the desert.
        1. +4
          10 January 2021 16: 57
          Looked at their storage base in Arizona from the satellite ... Impressive ... hi
        2. +6
          10 January 2021 21: 40
          Quote: Vladimir Mashkov
          but they carefully keep theirs in the wilderness.

          at the Davis-Monten base, probably the largest fleet of aircraft in the world is stored in conservation - more than 4400 units, forty spacecraft are also stored, the total value of the property exceeds thirty-five billion dollars. Annually, about 400 units are deposited and the same amount is retired (sold to friendly countries or destroyed)
          Near the base there is an open air museum “Pima Air & Space Museum. Nobody has done such an attitude to technology and even with a business approach.
          According to the data on the official website, for every dollar spent on the maintenance of the 309th group, the base earns $ 11 by selling spare parts and remanufactured aircraft.
          The base has been there since 1925 and only after the war was it chosen for storage. Because the climate is convenient for storage. And logistics (no one will be able to transport to Alaska)
          You can even be proud of the "dump of bones" (for example, how to keep in reserve and even earn extra money)
          But the conditions are pretty unique
          Climate conditions in Arizona - dry heat, low humidity and low rainfall - help keep aircraft from rusting and deteriorating for longer.
          In addition, there is a layer of clay nitrate under the soil at a depth of 15 centimeters. As explained in the 309th repair and technical group, thanks to this extremely hard "substrate" aircraft can be parked right in the desert without having to build special expensive platforms for them.
          there is also a civilian "bone dump" in the Mojave Desert. For liners
    2. +17
      10 January 2021 19: 58
      Quote: svp67
      The "settler" in the Arizona desert is huge, so the Americans have great recovery opportunities.

      What is missing there is a paid scrap acceptance. It ought to be organized.
  4. 0
    10 January 2021 16: 01
    Was not sent for spare parts: The second B-52 bomber returned to service with the USAF from conservation

    <c> No money, but you hold on:

    Given the growing friction between the PRC and the SGA, it is necessary to strengthen the Pacific line of defense; and I also want to stick my nose into the northern Arctic, where the Russian Federation has half a deck of trump cards in its hands .... It's hard for the guys, they want everything and a lot, only the pants are cracking.
    1. -2
      10 January 2021 16: 16
      And the Americans have to rumble with junk.
      1. -4
        10 January 2021 16: 21
        Such can break. And they will begin to point a finger at Russia or China. It is not because of a good life that Americans make such risky decisions.
      2. +2
        10 January 2021 16: 24
        Quote: Dmitry Makarov
        And the Americans have to rumble with junk.

        well, you have a similar situation :)
        Quote: Dima Medvedev
        "No money, but you hold on"
        - a multifunctional phrase, and it also applies to the Russian Federation, especially in the Navy
        1. 0
          10 January 2021 16: 33
          well, you have a similar situation :)

          Who in the world has it better now? This situation, I mean the situation with Long-Range Aviation.
          1. -2
            10 January 2021 16: 35
            in my toys :)
      3. +6
        10 January 2021 17: 27
        This "junk" meets almost all modern requirements, it is not in vain that it has served for over 60 years. In fact, it is a universal "wagon" for missiles and bombs with a huge flight range. In general, armament in traditional areas is very difficult to improve, in most cases it has reached perfection. This can be done better, but then the balance of cost-effectiveness is upset. Take the same small arms - the M-2HB and DShK are generally museum exhibits, and so far, little has been invented better than them.
        1. -4
          10 January 2021 20: 43
          This "junk" meets almost all modern requirements, it is not in vain that it has served for over 60 years.

          If "junk" met all the requirements, the Americans would not create the B-21.
          Take the same small arms - M-2HB and DShK are generally museum exhibits, and so far they have not come up with anything better than them.

          Are you behind the times?
  5. +7
    10 January 2021 16: 20
    "A good plane! A very good ... They will definitely give a Hero for it," - one pilot used to say - a fighter from a bike.
  6. +7
    10 January 2021 16: 24
    Quote: bessmertniy
    Everything will be fine. The day will come and the B-52 will dissipate like smoke. lol Their age is retirement. No matter how you poke around, the sand pours.

    We have his classmates - Tu-95. The basis of heavy aviation. In addition to them, there will be 16 (sixteen) Tu-160s. The Americans have B-1B and B-2 more. hi
    1. 0
      10 January 2021 17: 18
      And yet the production of tu160m2 has begun and the first prototype of PakDA has recently been laid
      1. +1
        10 January 2021 17: 28
        recently laid the first prototype of PakDA


        already built
        https://lenta.ru/news/2011/12/20/pakda/
      2. +4
        10 January 2021 18: 27
        All mriyas and mriyas. While there are 16 Tu-160s, write at least one new one for service.
    2. 0
      11 January 2021 17: 01
      The Tu-95 was produced until 1992 in the MS version, and the B-52 was produced in the last 1962, then only modernized. Ours will be younger.
  7. +1
    10 January 2021 17: 16
    But in reality, there is simply nothing to replace that Lancer that Spirit can not replace the bulk of the bombers.
  8. +9
    10 January 2021 17: 16
    Was at the Davis-Montan Conservation Base. The author is not quite in the subject. There are two zones - A and B. In zone A there are several thousand aircraft, ready to return to service if necessary. Zone B is a zone of no return. In zone A, all the planes are sealed with foil and there is no moisture at all in the desert. Nothing rusts or rots
    1. 0
      10 January 2021 17: 30
      Oh, there would be my "Moskvich" to exploit, would be generally an eternal machine!
    2. +2
      10 January 2021 21: 45
      Quote: AC130 Ganship
      Nothing rusts or decays

      well, some are covered with covers that protect them from sand and dust, which are also harmful to aircraft.
      Sulfur deposits under the sand also help.
      The database is impressive in size and content.
      You were lucky to have been to the museum?
  9. -4
    10 January 2021 17: 18
    Is it possible with us to put into operation standing types on conservation that 22m3, mig31? Why not try to introduce at least a couple of sides ?? but I strongly doubt that this is possible. So why whistle that almost a hundred tu22 is in storage. But the Americans were able to do it. The enemy is not sinful and will learn.
    1. +3
      10 January 2021 17: 40
      alex aircraft (alexander)

      And about the modernized more than 160 MiG 31 BM, BSM and K, have you heard?



    2. +1
      10 January 2021 21: 53
      Quote: Alex aircraft
      Is it possible to put in operation standing types on conservation

      put. But conservation is more difficult than in the USA. (Climate, business conditions)
      According to Khodynka, for example, you can see the difference between aircraft cemeteries.
  10. +2
    10 January 2021 18: 51
    Well, why not return?
    The cars are good, the reserve for modernization is large.
    Similar to our "Carcasses".
    Fly, yes fly! At the same time, people work in factories, receive salary. And the army is good, and the people are not bad.
    Almost happiness comes to both sides of events.
  11. The comment was deleted.
  12. +5
    10 January 2021 23: 27
    In the entire history of American military aviation, only two B-52 bombers returned to service from the "aircraft graveyard".

    Only part of this airbase can be called a cemetery. In general, there is not only a cemetery, but also a long-term storage. In addition, some of the aircraft stored there can be sold to third countries. In the event of a worsening of the situation, the Americans generally plan to commission about 3-5 dozen strategic aviation aircraft stored there (not only B-52H and B-1B, but also B-52G)

    Quote: Vladimir Mashkov
    Yes, it was they only the Soviet "Bears", "Bison" and "Backfires" demanded to destroy (and destroyed!), And carefully keep their own in the desert.

    No, they destroyed it too. We should not be considered as suckers who entered into unilaterally beneficial strategic agreements. If desired, you can find on the network photos of the same B-52 with the tail cut off. They could then be used as a source of spare parts, since they had already been withdrawn from the offset under the contracts.
  13. -1
    11 January 2021 01: 13
    Quote: Black Lotos
    the Davis-Monten base is stored on conservation, probably the largest fleet of aircraft in the world - more than 4400 units

    I hope that at H o'clock ours will not spare one warhead for this good place.
  14. +4
    11 January 2021 07: 44
    They are doing the right thing, we would like to learn from them: as a large-scale (non-nuclear) conflict develops, modern technology will be quickly consumed by all parties, and more obsolete technology will come in its place. Victory will remain with those who had large reserves and human resources. Riveting dozens of fighters a day like during the Second World War will not work, LaG-3 and Su-57 are slightly different machines in their complexity, and even Stakhanov's methods will not cover the losses. This we all "cut" because there are no conditions suitable for storage, like in the desert, and the Chinese still carry bombs on Tu-16s. When the Russian Federation finishes Tu-95 and 160, China runs out of Tu-16 and the US B52, then for the Russian Federation even Tu16 in this situation would be better than nothing.
    1. 0
      11 January 2021 12: 31
      Quote: Bshkaus
      They are doing it right, we should learn from them: as a large-scale (non-nuclear) conflict develops,

      At least hypothetically, can you describe where this can happen with the participation of the United States after Vietnam?
      1. 0
        12 January 2021 17: 17
        I draw hypothetically: during the Second World War, all the participating countries had large stocks of chemical weapons, but the USSR did not even think of using it when the Germans were standing near Moscow. The Germans, in turn, also did not consider this option to save the Reich, even on the most critical days in the spring of 45. To the question "why" the answer follows: it was tantamount to suicide. the other side would immediately apply everything that is in response, aggravating the already deplorable situation. All this was perfectly understood and, apparently, there were unspoken rules that all participants in the batch strictly adhered to.
        1. 0
          12 January 2021 18: 25
          Quote: Bshkaus
          I draw hypothetically: during the Second World War, all the participating countries had large stocks of chemical weapons, but the USSR did not even think of using it when the Germans were standing near Moscow.

          Leave this burden for naive people, because military specialists are not interested in this, if we consider it not from a historical perspective.
          I asked you to describe the situation of a large-scale US military conflict with non-nuclear weapons, but for some reason you delved into history. Give a picture of the day so that your idea makes sense ...
          1. -1
            13 January 2021 10: 07
            Do you have enough imagination to describe such a war?
            Option 1. Ukraine renews the database in Donbas, Russia is shot down by a US intelligence officer, word for word and ...
            Option 2 NATO organizes "coercion of the violent dad to peace and respect for the Baloru people"
            Option 3. Japan decides to restore "territorial integrity and annex the Kuril Islands, and the United States is drawn into the conflict.
            You can consider options for pacifying Kareya, Iran, exacerbation in Syria, etc. there would be a desire to fight, but there will be a reason, even with China, and even if for Taiwan.
            So I don’t understand your position, although in 39m we also planned to beat the enemy on his own territory. Although sorry, I again went into history (((
            1. 0
              13 January 2021 11: 53
              Quote: Bshkaus
              Do you have enough imagination to describe such a war?

              Not enough, because even in the Soviet Army they knew that we would not have such a war with the USA.
              Quote: Bshkaus
              Option 1. Ukraine renews the database in Donbas, Russia is shot down by a US intelligence officer, word for word and ...

              What makes you think that because of a spy shot down over Donbass, the United States will start a full-scale war against Russia, and even with an unpredictable ending. What did they do in Georgia for the lost reconnaissance equipment against Russia when our troops captured it?
              Quote: Bshkaus
              Option 2 NATO organizes "coercion of the violent dad to peace and respect for the Baloru people"

              This is not real, without the United States they will not lift a finger. And to unleash a war with Russia over Belarus is not even funny, given our military bases located there. In Syria, did they fight a lot against our airbase?
              Quote: Bshkaus
              Option 3. Japan decides to restore "territorial integrity and annex the Kuril Islands, and the United States is drawn into the conflict.

              They won't dare to do it without the Americans - study their agreement. And what is the benefit to the Americans from this war?
              Quote: Bshkaus
              You can consider options for pacifying Kareya, Iran, exacerbation in Syria, etc.

              You did not mention the landing of the Martians - these are approximately events of the same probability, from the point of view of waging a war according to the scenario that you propose.
              Quote: Bshkaus
              So your position is not clear to me,

              Naturally - I stand on the position of sanity, and am not interested in the fantasies of ignorant people. This is how it was estimated thirty years ago:

              And now nothing has changed ...
    2. 0
      12 January 2021 02: 48
      America has Arizona, while Russia, and Europe and China, have nothing like that. Humidity is zero, frost does not happen, sand storms too. There are no rats, no ants, no termites, no one to gnaw on the wire. True, the sun is evil, so that the entire plexiglass becomes cloudy in a couple of years, but changing the plexiglass is not the biggest problem.
  15. 0
    11 January 2021 16: 19
    Parts returned to the US Air Force.
  16. 0
    12 January 2021 02: 28
    Translation of "Wise Guy" as "wise guy" blunt in the forehead. In general, in American slang it means "Mafioso".

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