Barksdale AFB

[VirginiaJim]

Anyone down that way?  I was wondering if there was a area at the end of the runway (off base) where you can see/feel the '52s taking off.

[gPink]

Jim, Have you noticed a swarm of rats leaving DC yet?

[VirginiaJim]

Actually, on the day of the earthquake, they let the federal workers go home early, which clogged up the roads quite a bit.  Led me to think that in the event of a major catastrophe, very few could get out of the area.  Too much traffic, not enough roads.

As far as the hurricane predictions, as it's going to graze us Saturday night so everyone will be at home.  I don't see any major traffic fluctuations heading west from my area.  I would imagine that the shore areas would have some traffic heading west, though.

[Vic Salisbury]

Anyone down that way?  I was wondering if there was a area at the end of the runway (off base) where you can see/feel the '52s taking off.

If I remember correctly, the approach end (north/northwest end) of the base is adjacent (south) to I-20. There is an Old Minden or Miner Road (?) between the interstate and the runway, but I can't remember if it is a public road or on the base. I was there many years ago after a few of the BUFF's I worked on in Michigan had been re-assigned to Barksdale. I just had to stop by and visit on one of my road trips from Georgia to Tinker AFB.
The departure end of the runway (depending on prevailing winds, they generally depart to the south) goes over base property for the most part. I think there is only a base perimeter road that is close to the southern end of the runway, then about 10-15000 feet to the base perimeter fence? 2003 was the last time I was in the area, so things may have changed. If they are departing to the north, there are more public roads and a better chance to experience the rumble, especially if they are taking off heavy.

[VirginiaJim]

I want to re-live my childhood.  In the mid-60s, we were stationed at Westover and my dad would take us out to a park at the end of one of the runways.  There's nothing like a B-52 flying a few hundred feet overhead to give you a sense of awe....

[Vic Salisbury]

  There's nothing like a B-52 flying a few hundred feet overhead to give you a sense of awe....

Aint that the truth.

My first assignment was working on them at K.I.Sawyer late 80's
Most awesomest sight was watching 30+ B-52's and tankers at one time go from engine start on the ramp to last one airborne in less than 15 minutes. Crazy
And seeing them landing in a crosswind with the landing gear crabbed is weird to watch

[shreveportSS]

Old Minden Rd. and Industrial drive. You can look at some John Deere equipment at the same time. They do not take off and land as much as they used to. I remember the good old days when they would practice touch and go for hours.

[shreveportSS]

I want to re-live my childhood.  In the mid-60s, we were stationed at Westover and my dad would take us out to a park at the end of one of the runways.  There's nothing like a B-52 flying a few hundred feet overhead to give you a sense of awe....

My dad was stationed at Barksdale and retired in 68. He was a Staff SGT. We lived off base in Haughton.

[VirginiaJim]

Another AF Brat!   

[redbarber]

I was stationed at Barksdale from 77 to 80.  Unless it's changed a bunch, you can see the runway and the parked BUFF's from I-20 and from a smaller road that ran off the end of Old Minden Road.  I've parked there and took pictures of the planes taking off, but they didn't like it even back then.  In those days, they kept a bunch of non-working planes parked around the runway ends, looking all ready to go.  At night they would tow them around so that the next days satellite images would be different.  Wanted to keep the Russkies wondering how many bombers we really had. 
I got the opportunity to go on a refueling mission on a KC135. If you think a B-52 looks big just sitting there, you should see how big they look when they are "tailgating" your plane at 350 mph.  Since most of the fleet is as old as I am, I'm jealous that they can still fly at all. 

[VirginiaJim]

I got to go in the back of a KC-135 at an open house at Westover.  I seem to recall, and I could be wrong, but didn't the boom operator(s) lay down to work the controls?  I recall the color red but it was a long time ago.

[Two Skies]

I always thought the crab landing gear feature of the B-52 was pretty innovative.  Makes me wonder why it didn't catch on with other aircraft.

Here's some footage of an A-380 doing a couple of sideslip landings in a crosswind... that must be pretty unsettling for the passengers looking out the window...
Airbus A380 crosswind start & landing

And here's footage of a BUFF doing a crosswind landing and deploying the chute.
b52

[VirginiaJim]

That's a heck of a crosswind.  But man oh man that's a beautiful machine...

[Two Skies]

That's a heck of a crosswind.  But man oh man that's a beautiful machine...

There have been several proposals to replace the eight engines the B-52 has now with four more efficient engines.  I think it just wouldn't look nearly as cool with just four engines...

[VirginiaJim]

Or sound as good.  I grew up in the mid-60's at Westover, then the largest SAC base in the country if not the world.  The B-52s were constantly on alert with their engines 'idling' all night long.  Thanks to them I cannot sleep without noise such as a loud fan.  But I don't mind.  I know why they were doing it and why my dad was not a familiar face in my family.  He was a member of SAC as his family was.

[Centex]

maybe these folks can help, Jim .....

Point of Contact

Air Force Global Strike Command, Public Affairs Office

e-mail: afgsc.pa@barksdale.af.mil

318-456-1305

Air Force Global Strike Command, Public Affairs Office
245 Davis Ave. E
Suite 240
Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

[VirginiaJim]

I appreciate the help guys...  It's a trip I'm going to make next year at some point and I'll keep this information handy.

[redbarber]

I got to go in the back of a KC-135 at an open house at Westover.  I seem to recall, and I could be wrong, but didn't the boom operator(s) lay down to work the controls?  I recall the color red but it was a long time ago.

Boom operator did lay down, on kind of a bench, with joystick type controls at each hand.  There was also another bench on each side of him, where observers could lay and watch, which is what I did.  It was awesome. 

[VirginiaJim]

I'm getting teary thinking about it...