Minot crew completes milestone flight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing here achieved a historic high flight over the geographical North Pole in a B-52H Stratofortress, while en route to the 2011 Moscow International Air and Space Aviation Salon in Russia, which took place Aug. 16-21.

The first time a B-52 landed in Russia was Mar. 3, 1992, as part of a goodwill tour to mark the 50th anniversary of the 8th Air Force, as well as the anniversary of Soviet long-range aviation.

Various models of U.S. military aircraft, equipment and approximately 100 aircrew and support personnel from U.S. bases in Europe and the U.S. participated in MAKS 2011.

The 23rd Bomb Squadron crew flew a B-52 over the North Pole on the way to Moscow, Russia, which the crew admitted was much more difficult than most would expect.

"The flight was actually quite unusual because no one has ever done it before," said Maj. Patrick Small, 5th Operations Support Squadron. "The jet was designed for this type of flight, but was never practiced. It took a lot of mission planning and coordination to make this happen."

The crew and support personnel had to consider the weather and global effects that might affect the flight over the top of the world.

"Most importantly, we had to consider the location, the high winds, the freezing temperatures, and the time changes," the major continued. "We just had to know what kind of effects flying over the North Pole would have on navigation systems. But, through proper planning, a lot of mission planning, and the help of a lot of individuals, everything went as planned."

The aircrew said the distance to Moscow is a lot shorter when flying over the North Pole than by taking the traditional routes usually used, which is why air-to-air refueling wasn't necessary.

Once the crew arrived in Moscow, they said the first few days were spent setting up and getting situated. The next few days were dedicated to a trade show, which highlighted utilities on aviation-related equipment.

While the crew members said the first few days of the show was interesting, they thought the last part of the show, which included many different aircraft static displays, received the most attention from the locals.

"The Russians were particularly impressed by the age of the B-52, as well as how great of shape the aircraft was still in," said Capt. Timothy Brown, 5th OSS aircraft commander. "Our aircraft was built in 1960, and it still looks brand new. When we told them how long we planned on operating the aircraft, the [Russians] were just amazed."

The crew credited the good condition of the aircraft to the maintainers, and said they do a great job at working hard to preserve this strategic aircraft.

"They were also really impressed with the average age of our crew, which is 25-years-old," said the captain. "They were really impressed with the amount of responsibility we take on at such a young age. That, to me, is a true testament to the U.S. Air Force's high training standards."

The Russians were very impressed with the aircraft, and rightly so, based on this aircraft's history and ability. The B-52 provides long-range strike effects to combat contemporary security threats and can also fly across continents, strike a target and return with an air bridge provided by air refueling assets.

The B-52's global influence and deterrence was employed to great effect during many conflicts, including Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, Desert Storm, and Allied Force, among others.

Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the first B-52 strategic bomber to roll off assembly line. Minot AFB has the last B-52 ever made, the H model, which was delivered here in 1962.