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Red Flag Warbirds back in the nest

By Airman 1st Class Wesley Wright, Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs / Published August 06, 2008

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Minot's three B-52H Stratofortresses and 140 Warbirds are back in the nest after returning from Red Flag 08-03 Aug. 1 to 2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., following two weeks of realistic combat training with U.S. allies.

According to Lt. Col. Mac Langdon, 23rd Bomb Squadron detachment commander, Minot's Airmen stood out in a positive way.

"The professionalism, teamwork and get-it-done attitude from all those involved was exactly what a commander would expect of our Air Force's finest Airmen," Colonel Langdon said. "We are better prepared to deploy as a result of this effort. We are also better prepared to fight the enemy and maintain our B-52 force in a deployed environment."

Overall, the Warbirds flew 19 sorties, working hand-in-hand with U.S. allies to "attack" Nellis range targets such as mock airfields, vehicle convoys, tanks, parked aircraft, bunkered defensive positions, missile sites as well as employ against other ground and air threats.

"Our aircrew integrated with a coalition force to destroy targets deep in the heart of 'enemy' territory," Colonel Langdon said.

According to the colonel, coalition forces working with the U.S. recognized and understood the true might of the B-52.

"I knew when the Turkish officer in charge of the mission for that day said to the fighters escorting the strikers, 'We must protect the strikers ... especially the B-52,' that everyone understood how important our aircraft was to the mission," Colonel Langdon said.

While a TDY to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas was enjoyable both on and off duty to Minot's Warbirds, many of them were glad to be back in the nest.

"It's good to be back and get out of the Las Vegas heat," said newly promoted Master Sgt. Steve Root, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons expediter. "I'm looking forward to spending time with my family."

"It feels pretty good to be back," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Horvath, 5th AMXS weapons loader. "I'm glad to be back and see everybody here." The newly promoted staff sergeant also recently won Airman of the Quarter for the 5th Maintenance Group.

Many Warbirds brought back award-winning qualities from Red Flag.

"We had 18 Red Flag superior performers," Colonel Langdon said. "But in my mind, I could have recognized 140 superior performers. We had some glitches as you would expect with so many moving parts; however, we learned from them and the process will improve for the next time."

As the Minot AFB commander for Red Flag, Colonel Langdon wanted to express his appreciation for everything his Airmen accomplished during the two-week exercise.

"To all those who worked so hard to make this deployment a success, you have my sincere thanks. I would be proud to work beside you again anytime, anywhere," he said. "Thanks to readiness for getting us out the door and to the base leadership for welcoming us home in true Team Minot style."

Warbird One was equally proud of Minot's Red Flag Airmen and personally greeted his returning Airmen with a handshake, smile and "job well done."

"In typical Warbird fashion, our Airmen performed exceptionally well," said Col. Joel Westa, 5th Bomb Wing commander. "While the media may only highlight and sensationalize the happenings around Minot, I am pleased to report that 5th Bomb Wing Airmen represented us well at Red Flag, both on the ground and in the air. I expect nothing less from them, and they delivered!"
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