Any B-52 Rumours?

[Malcolm]

Putting 2+2 and probably making 5.

Sept 1st-2nd - Sliac (Slovakia) Open Day is advertising a B52H on static from AFRC at Barksdale
Sept 11th-16th - Berlin ILA (Germany) is advertising a B52H
Sept 15th - Leuchars (Jocklandshire) Open Day is advertising a B52H on static
Sept 22-23rd - Ostrava (Czech) Open Day is advertising a B52H on static, from 307BW, AFRC, Barksdale.

Of course they could fly a B52 back and forth to the USA for all these events, but Buffs aren't that common in Europe, and then 3 in three weeks?

Just thinking out loud, but has anyone seen any suspicious NOTAMS for Fairford?

Cheers
Malcolm

[SamP]

Just thinking out loud, but has anyone seen any suspicious NOTAMS for Fairford?

Not yet, but I reckon you're on to something there...

[Gary]

Leuchars usually gets a AFRC B-52H , there's also a B-52H listed for Jersey airshow on the Thursday 13th September

[f-4]

Same one - will land at Leuchars after Jersey.

[RichC]

Yes, big black triangles landing at Lakenheath

[kieran]

There's now two B-52s going to Ostrava. Whether or not, the other one will be seen in the UK is another story...

[Malcolm]

The post on Scramble says the B52 for Sliac is due to arive today (28th Aug). Assuming it's coming in from stateside, we should be seeing/hearing something soon?

[Malcolm]

Photos and video of B-52H 60-0035/BD arriving at Sliac are now up on http://www.siaf.sk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; website.

Interesting to note that the taxiways are nowhere near wide enough to accomodate the out-riggers, but they seemed happy to taxy over the grass. Also the crew don't look tired when interviewed, so did they come direct from Barksdale?

Cheers
Malcolm

[magnum]

Yes. SCALP 99 was heard working Gander on HF.

[Gary]

Not sure if the same Malcolm who started this thread posted the following on MSF last night

The B52 (60-0035/BD) from Sliac is due into Fairford at approx 2PM on Monday
afternoon. Others are due to join it direct from the USA, but I don't know when.
They're over for a 2 week excercise.

It will be the same Buff in static at Ostrava, but the Leuchars one will be one
of the others.

Cheers
Malcolm

Info from malcolm1232001

The Air Res posted for Tuesday is the right height for B-52's and F-15's i should add viewtopic.php?f=139&t=65497" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Not sure if the B-52's would need an Air Res..

[Malcolm]

Yes it was/is me. Didn't have my FC login details so couldn't post here.

Had a chat with the crew at Siiac. Obviously some of the details I was given were 'spurious', but I what we were told is what I posted. I'm surprised this B-52 has departed - the crew specifically stated it would be the one going to Ostrava, but not Luchars. They are participating in a Europe wide excercise, and we got the impression that 60-0035 wasn't carrying some of the more 'sensitive' equipment so that it could be left un-attended at less secure bases. Perhaps that's why it's gone back, coz it's not much use in an excercise

It was carrying a sniper pod under the right wing though.

[graham luxton]

Yes it was/is me. Didn't have my FC login details so couldn't post here.


It was carrying a sniper pod under the right wing though.

Like the one at RIAT.

[RichC]

Possibly for Noble Ardent 12 then? It's a Europe wide exercise.

[tomcat79uk]

There is now a B-52 flying on September 15th at Leuchars airshow.

[BunkerAlpha]

Think the new addition at Leuchars goes a long way to firming up the Fairford rumours...

[Malcolm]

And ILA Berlin (11th - 16th Sept) advertising a B52 too.

And from http://www.natodays.cz/this-year-s-prog ... splay.news" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

“Our typical presentation is only a static display. Not only will the dynamic display entertain the large crowd at NATO Days, but it also allows us to further participate in joint and NATO exercises such as BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY II and RAMSTEIN ROVER 2012 in September. Two aircraft in Central Europe gives us the flexibility to support a wide variety of operations outside of the usual airshow circuit. We are excited about the continued cooperation with Jagello 2000 and the Czech Air Force and Czech Army as we go forward,” add the US Air Force commanders.

The "RAMSTEIN ROVER 2012" exercise might suggest some activity at a certain German base

[RichC]

Except Ramstein Rover takes place in the Czech Republic


quote from NATO
"RAMSTEIN ROVER 2012 -
International Military Air Exercise in the Czech Republic
Ramstein, 16 August 2012 – The Czech Republic will host a major international exercise for NATO
Forward Air Controllers (FACs) from 5 to 21 September 2012. The training is organised by NATO’s
Headquarters Allied Air Command Ramstein (HQ AC Ramstein), Germany.
Exercise Ramstein Rover 2012 (RARO12) is an advanced training opportunity to exercise Close Air
Support (CAS) and FAC capabilities. RARO12 provides realistic pre-deployment training for FACs to
be deployed to NATO’s ISAF operation in Afghanistan.
In coordination with the Czech Air Force, HQ AC Ramstein has organized
the exercise for participants from a total of 16 NATO member nations
based at Namest Air Base and involving training areas in the Czech
Republic at Libava, Boletice, and Písek. During RARO12 the Czech Air
Force will fly missions out of Čáslav.
Flying assets, FAC teams and observers will be provided by the Czech
Republic, Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey the United
Kingdom, and the United States.
The aim of RARO12 is to provide a measurable increase in proficiency, standardization and
interoperability for FACs from NATO, Partnership for Peace (PfP) and ISAF troop contributing
nations. RARO12 is a live-fly exercise during which NATO aircraft will provide the full-spectrum of
day, night, medium and low altitude training for aircrews in realistic and complex scenarios.
In a classroom academic training followed by live-fly practical CAS training RARO12 exercise
participants will be taught how to effectively employ airpower in support of own forces while
mitigating risks to civilians and their property."

[Malcolm]

Ok - I did say might. :-)

The Ostrava text implies that two B-52's will be present there (i.e. actually landing there). I had assumed the flyer would come from elsewhere. It's unlikley the Jersey machine will land there , and others have said it'll be the static machine at Leuchars. The ILA report doesn't state static or flying, and on which dates. If it's static for the whole week (11th-16th), then it can't be one of the two going to Leuchars on the 15th. Plus we were told 60-0035 was the one going to Ostrava, and it wasn't the one going to Leuchars.

I still think the most likely outcome is a deployment to Fairford within the next few days, but the council seem to be trying to discount that. I think Buffs have operated from Moron, Istres and Ramstein in the past. Either that or the council are in the dark, and/or lying.

[Mike]

Not trying to be a pain but its not Czech its the Czech republic we had a revolution u see

Can we have a lot less text-speak please ?

[tomcat79uk]

Does anyone know if the B-52 flying at Leuchars on the Saturday is coming from Fairford or is landing and taking off at Leuchars to display.There seems to be a bit of the unknown regarding this.