BTF 22-2 General Discussion thread

[city42]

Maybe its going home week this week

[Supra]

Ummmm, Based upon 'normal' Exercise duration in 'less-than normal' times? The reflections in a Crystal Ball? Or just a good 'ol guess?

[thevulcan]

Seems there deployment has been extended as B-1's were supposed to take part in exercise cold response in Norway. But it seems there B52's are now doing those sorties instead.

[R1nger]

I wonder how long before they have to rotate home for servicing, perhaps they will replace them or maybe continue the deployment with a TDY rotation until things out east settle down?

[mushbuster]

So far 8 weeks and counting

[nitro999]

There was an Atlas Air cargo 747 originally due in a couple of weeks ago but never showed up. Presume they decided to extend the deployment.

[page_verify]

BTFs aren't exercises or training deployments - they're (reasonably) random and unpredictable theatre presences requested by regional commanders, EUCOM for Europe, who ask they they demonstrate their full range of missions. They'll stay for as long as those commanders request their presence and the EBS that deploys is self-sufficient meaning they don't routinely swap deployed aircraft or people.

BTFs replaced Global Power Missions and Continuous Bomber Presence deployments. Now, every force projection mission is either a CONUS-to-CONUS BTF (C2CBTF) flight (e.g., US to Middle East to US, or an OCONUS-to-CONUS BTF (O2OBTF) flight (e.g., Fairford to Europe to Fairford).

[pezgr4]

I have heard that the Buffs will be going home on Friday 15th.

[city42]

It will be interesting to see how long we will have to wait for the next deployment

[Arran J]

would you know an estimated time they will be leaving, either 1st thing in the morn or afternnon? many Thanks

[page_verify]

In Sept 2020, they left for Minot between 10:00L and 14:00L. Luckily tomorrow is a normal working day when there won't be lots of people just driving by on the off chance they might see some Buffs flying.

[Nighthawke]

Tomorrow is Good Friday, a bank holiday.

[bizfreeq]

It'll be rammed then!

[Pune]

If the weather is good, and rumours are correct you could get a nice sight, this was on 30/1/2018 @ 12.30, good luck..
B52's depart Ffd 3 30_01_2018 by Paul Tursner-Upcott, on Flickr

[Tiger 1]

Cracking photo... I see there are all heading on a right turn out of Fairford... does any of you guys know what sort of heading or route they will take out of the UK

I'm in Peterborough most of the day... just wondering if they are mijito head that way out to pick up the airway.

MTIA for any help.

T1

[127.65]

They could be on the move early doors tomorrow. Pre-dawn, early. Traffic might not be an issue!!!

Maybe a 4 ship formation on a sortie heading East, then the long flight back home to Minot.

No doubt there’ll be some 135’s on hand offering tanker support.

[ZackG]

There’s no ALTRV at the moment I don’t think, but they have been known to fly without tanker support back to base.
Also, just seen a FB post by Minot AFB and the weather is far from ideal up there. Don’t know if that will have an impact.

[Tiger 1]

Hi everyone

I understand from the movements thread that 61-0018 was a non flyer today and is broken in some way.

I was wondering if any info of it's expected departure was out there... I understand that my request is a long shot... but I am I the area of Fairford tomorrow and could easily drop by the base for a quick look.

MTIA for any help.

T1

[Tiger 1]

Just for info... 61-0018 is still present as at 12.30pm this afternoon on the Bomber Loop.

T1

[thevulcan]

Any sign of any support flights to bring there kit home?