How the Air Force puts together a B-52 flyover

Senior Airman Lillian Miller, US Air ForceMay 7, 2020, 03:08 IST

A B-52H Stratofortress and an F-15 Eagle over southern Louisiana, May 1, 2020.US Air Force/Senior Airman Lillian Miller

Two B-52H Stratofortress aircraft from Barksdale Air Force Base and two F-15 Strike Eagles from the Louisiana Air National Guard flew over Louisiana to honor healthcare workers on May 1.
Working with state and local partners, Air Force officials were able to plot a route over at least 12 medical facilities and other notable Louisiana landmarks.
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The men and women of Barksdale showed their appreciation to healthcare workers of Louisiana by performing a flyover of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, May 1, 2020.

Two B-52H Stratofortress aircraft from Barksdale Air Force Base and two F-15 Strike Eagles from the Louisiana Air National Guard flew together as a tribute to Louisiana's medical professionals. But what does it take to make it all happen?

The Secretary of the Air Force public affairs reached out to Barksdale with an initiative to perform a flyover around New Orleans due to the population size, impact of COVID-19 and the efforts of the medical community in the area.

Barksdale leadership accepted the initiative and added Baton Rouge to the route. As the general location was finalized, volunteers from the Louisiana ANG immediately offered to join in.

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Barksdale does have other flyovers planned for the Shreveport and Bossier City area. The 2nd OG have done flyovers regularly in the community and anticipate that they will continue to do so in the future.

A B-52H Stratofortress over southern Louisiana, May 1, 2020. US Air Force/Senior Airman Lillian Miller

Barksdale does have other flyovers planned for the Shreveport and Bossier City area. The 2nd OG have done flyovers regularly in the community and anticipate that they will continue to do so in the future.

Prior to the flyover, Barksdale had an opportunity to train with the fighters just off the coast of Louisiana.

Lt. Col. Michael Green, 343rd Bomb Squadron commander, and Lt. Col. Ryan Decker, 343rd BS director of operations, guide a B-52 Stratofortress over the Louisiana state capitol building in Baton Rouge, May 1, 2020. US Air Force/Senior Airman Lillian Miller

All B-52s flyovers are flown in conjunction with a training mission. Typical training missions will have air refueling and simulated weapons training followed by instrument approach and landing practice at the end of the mission. Flyovers are fit in-between training events.

A B-52H Stratofortress and two F-15 Strike Eagles over southern Louisiana, May 1, 2020. US Air Force/Senior Airman Lillian Miller

All B-52s flyovers are flown in conjunction with a training mission. Typical training missions will have air refueling and simulated weapons training followed by instrument approach and landing practice at the end of the mission. Flyovers are fit in-between training events.

By working with all of their offices, the team was able to quickly establish a consensus and build a plan to flyover as many of the medical centers as possible. In total they flew past at least 12 medical facilities and other notable Louisiana landmarks.

Lt. Col. Ryan Decker, 343rd Bomb Squadron director of operations, scans the horizon from a B-52H Stratofortress flying out of Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, May 1, 2020. US Air Force/Senior Airman Lillian Miller

By working with all of their offices, the team was able to quickly establish a consensus and build a plan to flyover as many of the medical centers as possible. In total they flew past at least 12 medical facilities and other notable Louisiana landmarks.

The flyover involved many moving pieces not limited to Barksdale airmen but also partners from the local community.

"I began working with the requesting off-base point of contacts and agencies to get the initial flyover plan," said Lt. Col. Tim "Rolex" Miller, 2nd Bomb Wing wing scheduler.

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How the Air Force puts together a B-52 flyover

Barksdale does have other flyovers planned for the Shreveport and Bossier City area. The 2nd OG have done flyovers regularly in the community and anticipate that they will continue to do so in the future.

Prior to the flyover, Barksdale had an opportunity to train with the fighters just off the coast of Louisiana.

All B-52s flyovers are flown in conjunction with a training mission. Typical training missions will have air refueling and simulated weapons training followed by instrument approach and landing practice at the end of the mission. Flyovers are fit in-between training events.

By working with all of their offices, the team was able to quickly establish a consensus and build a plan to flyover as many of the medical centers as possible. In total they flew past at least 12 medical facilities and other notable Louisiana landmarks.

The flyover involved many moving pieces not limited to Barksdale airmen but also partners from the local community.

"I began working with the requesting off-base point of contacts and agencies to get the initial flyover plan," said Lt. Col. Tim "Rolex" Miller, 2nd Bomb Wing wing scheduler.