Warbirds complete largest B-52 surge since start of OIF

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 5th Bomb Wing completed its largest conventional surge exercise here April 25 since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003.

The surge, codenamed Operation Northern Vengeance, took place over a four-day period and involved the 23rd Bomb Squadron, 5th Operations Support Squadron, 5th Munitions Squadron and 5th Maintenance Squadron.

According to Capt. Kyle Smet, 5th BW weapons officer and exercise coordinator, the surge emphasized the wing's commitment to conventional operations and deterrence.

"The purpose of Operation Northern Vengeance is to test our capabilities to surge a large number of aircraft during wartime operations," Captain Smet said.

During the four-day surge, 96 complete combat mission folders were generated, and 24 aircraft sorties were flown over the Utah Test and Training Range and the Kansas Smoky Hill Air National Guard bombing range.

"One of the unique things about this surge was we were able to use live bombs," said Capt. Jose Castaneda, 23rd BS aircraft commander. "It's not every day we get to drop live bombs."

The 23rd BS was also the first bomb squadron to drop a mixed load of 2,000- and 500-pound joint direct attack munitions. In all, the B-52H Stratofortresses from here dropped 45,000 pounds of unguided munitions and 10,000 pounds of guided munitions.

According to Captain Smet, the success of ONV was due in large part to the hard work, commitment and adaptability of everyone involved.

In addition to around-the-clock efforts put in by the 23rd BS, a five-person team from the 5th OSS put in 560 total man-hours. An 80-person team from 5th MUNS and 5th AMXS worked 12 hour shifts over the six days, totaling 5,760 man-hours.

"The fact that we would change the entire loading schedule the day before a sortie is a huge testament to how hard these organizations worked during this time," Captain Smet added.

Adaptability was the key word during the exercise according to many involved, including Captain Castaneda, who piloted a B-52 during the surge.

"The support from everyone involved was phenomenal," he said. "From scheduling to maintenance, everything was top-notch."

At one point while waiting to take off, a problem developed with Captain Castaneda's aircraft, forcing a "no-go" on his flight.

"All of a sudden I see crew chiefs and maintainers running from out of nowhere," the pilot said. "Within 65 minutes, we were taxiing for takeoff in a different B-52. That kind of timing is amazing. The adaptability they showed was second to none."

Lt. Col. Reid Langdon, 5th OSS director of operations, was proud of how maintenance and operations performed.

"We worked very well with maintenance," the colonel said. "They are able to adapt very quickly to our needs. The cooperation between everyone involved was exceptional."

Adaptability and excellence during the surge: the Warbirds have done it again.