Super Hornets Strike Back and looking back on a worldwide flight of BUFFs
The Hornet's sting has been felt in the Red Sea, and remembering Operation Power Eliete
“And in the air are no streets, no channels, no point where one can say of an antagonist, “If he wants to reach my capital he must come by here.” In the air all directions lead everywhere.”
-H.G. Wells, The War in the Air
Mission Briefing
Super Hornets Strike Back: In a recent development that has garnered international attention, a coalition led by Western powers, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Bahrain, and the Netherlands, executed a series of targeted strikes against Houthi insurgents in Yemen. This action was a response to the continuous drone and missile assaults by the Iran-backed Houthis on various locations across the Middle East.
The operation involved significant naval and aerial assets. Notably, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower launched over 15 F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets. From Cyprus, the Royal Air Force deployed four Eurofighter Typhoons. The strikes were further bolstered by the support of submarines and other warships.
Targets of these air and missile strikes were carefully selected to weaken Houthi military capabilities. The coalition focused on destroying ballistic and cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, munition depots, command and control centers, production facilities, coastal radars, and air surveillance systems of the Houthis. In this precisely coordinated attack, over 100 precision-guided munitions were used to hit more than 60 sites across 16 different locations.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin, in a press statement, highlighted the necessity of these strikes. He pointed out that these actions were taken in response to the illegal and destabilizing Houthi attacks against both U.S. and international vessels, as well as commercial ships lawfully traversing the Red Sea. He emphasized the coalition's commitment to disrupting and diminishing the Houthis' capacity to pose threats to maritime safety and global trade, particularly in crucial waterways like the Red Sea.
Since late November, the Houthis have launched approximately 30 attacks targeting Western warships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. Although these attacks have been successfully intercepted by patrolling warships, they have significantly contributed to regional instability. The strategic importance of this area cannot be understated, as it witnesses the passage of about 15% of global shipping.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense reiterated the coalition's determination to uphold the rules-based international order. He affirmed their commitment to defend the navigational rights and freedoms of U.S. and international vessels against illegal and unjustifiable attacks.
In response to the strikes, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has escalated the alert status of air defense systems throughout the operational area, anticipating possible retaliation from the Houthis or Iran. The region, especially in Saudi Arabia, is fortified with several U.S. and allied MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems.
The British Ministry of Defense, in their statement, highlighted the meticulous planning that went into minimizing civilian risks. They chose to conduct the strikes at night to further mitigate these risks. While a comprehensive assessment of the strike outcomes is ongoing, early indications suggest a significant reduction in the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping.
This week in aviation history
16 - 18 January 1957: The story of Operation POWER FLITE. Picture this: On a typical afternoon at 1:00 p.m. PST, a fleet of five majestic Boeing B-52B Stratofortress bombers, belonging to the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command's 93rd Bombardment Wing (Heavy), embarked on a groundbreaking mission from Castle Air Force Base near Merced, California. Their task? A daring non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.
Fast forward 45 hours and 19 minutes. Three of these formidable B-52s gracefully touched down at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. They had conquered a staggering 24,325 miles (or 39,147 kilometers), maintaining an impressive average speed of 534 mph (859 km/h).
Leading this intrepid squadron was the B-52B-35-BO 53-0394, christened the 'Lucky Lady III', under the skilled command of Lieutenant Colonel James H. Morris. Morris, a seasoned aviator, had previously co-piloted the Lucky Lady II, a Boeing B-50A Superfortress, on its own global journey in 1949. Accompanying Morris was none other than Major General Archie J. Old, Jr., the commander of the 15th Air Force.
Among the five aircraft, three were designated as primary bombers, with two serving as reserves. Each B-52 was crewed by nine men, including a trio of pilots and a pair of navigators.
The operation was a logistical marvel, necessitating four in-flight refuelings from piston-engine Boeing KC-97 Stratotankers. Over 100 KC-97s played a part in this intricate ballet of mid-air refueling.
However, not all went according to plan. 'La Victoria', 53-0397, helmed by Major George Kalebaug, encountered a challenge. Ice accumulation in its refueling receptacle forced the aircraft to divert to Goose Bay, Labrador. Another B-52, fulfilling its role as a spare, departed from the formation over North Africa, landing at an air base in England.
In recognition of their extraordinary feat, all 27 crew members from the three completing bombers were honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross by General Curtis LeMay. The 93rd Bombardment Wing, the trailblazers of this mission, were fittingly awarded the Mackay Trophy for "the most meritorious flight of the year". This wing had the distinction of being the first operational Air Force unit equipped with the B-52 Stratofortress, receiving the RB-52B 52-8711 on June 29, 1955.
A total of fifty B-52Bs were constructed by Boeing at its Seattle facility. These aircraft, manned by a six-man crew for bombing missions and eight for reconnaissance, were a marvel of engineering. Measuring 156.6 feet in length, with a wingspan of 185.0 feet, and standing 48.3 feet tall, these bombers were a sight to behold. The wings, distinctly swept back at a 36° 54' angle, were mounted high on the fuselage to accommodate the engine pylons.
Powered initially by eight Pratt & Whitney J57-P-1WA turbojet engines, later models featured the J57-P-19W and J57-P-29W or WA variants. These engines, capable of delivering up to 11,400 pounds of thrust with water injection, were the heart of the B-52B's impressive performance.
In flight, the B-52B boasted a cruise speed of 453 knots (521 mph) at 35,000 feet, with a maximum speed of 547 knots (630 mph) at 19,900 feet. Its operational ceiling varied depending on the mission, ranging from 48,650 feet with a full bomb load to 55,350 feet on ferry missions.
The B-52B's defensive capabilities were not to be underestimated, featuring four Browning .50 caliber machine guns in a tail turret, capable of firing over 4,000 rounds per minute. Some variants were even equipped with four M24A1 20 mm autocannons.
When it came to payload, the B-52B could carry up to 43,000 pounds of ordnance, ranging from conventional bombs to
nuclear weapons like the Mark 6 or two Mark 21 thermonuclear bombs, with yields varying significantly based on the model.
The legacy of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is marked not just by its formidable combat capabilities but also by its incredible longevity and adaptability. A total of 744 B-52 bombers were produced, with the final one rolling out in Wichita, Kansas, on June 22, 1962. Remarkably, as of September 27, 2016, 77 of the B-52H variant remain in active service with the United States Air Force, a testament to the enduring design and strategic importance of this iconic aircraft.
Operation POWER FLITE stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of technological advancement in aviation. It showcased not just the capabilities of the B-52 Stratofortress but also the skill and bravery of the men who flew these missions. This historic flight encapsulates a pivotal moment in aviation history, where the limits of human and machine endurance were pushed to achieve what was once thought impossible.
In case you missed it
NASA recently revealed the X-59 super sonic research plane, which is built in conjunction with the famous Lockheed Skunkworks, here’s my take on it:
Photo Outlet
I feel this picture emphasizes how big the C-17 is, these individuals are standing in between the taxiways:
Post Flight Debrief
We are definitely living in interesting times. My hat goes off to all the service men and women who are working and putting their lives on the line for us everyday.
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! If you know a fellow aviation enthusiast that would enjoy these weekly newsletters, then please forward this along. Now you know!
-Tog