B-52 Stratofortress

In Southwest Asia operations, major B-52 missions included Desert Shield and Desert Storm, in which only B-52Gs were employed; the Secret Squirrel Mission on Jan. 16-17, 1991, when seven B-52Gs launched CALCMs; Desert Strike, in which two B-52Hs made their combat debut launching CALCMs; Desert Fox, in which B-52Hs launched CALCMs; Iraqi Freedom; Freedom's Sentinel; and Inherent Resolve. The achievements of the Strategic Air Command's B-52 bomber and KC-135 tanker operations during the Southeast Asia bombing campaign from 18 June 1965 to 15 August 1973 are honored along with B-52 gunners from 1954 to 1991. Boeing B-52A and B-52B aircraft carried a twin 20mm cannon with the A-3a Fire Control System and a tail gunner in a pressurized cabin, and the turret could be jettisoned in an emergency by firing four explosive bolts. Boeing B-52A, B-52B, B-52C, B-52D, B-52E, and B-52F aircraft carried four 0.50 cal. M3 machine guns with the MD-9 Fire Control System and a tail gunner in a pressurized cabin, and the turret could be jettisoned in an emergency by firing four explosive bolts.

Riverside, Ohio · United States