Logistics wins the battle

Logistics wins the battle

Went to the Commissary yesterday for the weekly groceries and while driving home passed the flight line. Saw a couple of transport planes on the ramp and it started me thinking. [ un believable I know ]

The BIG news of late is that six B-52 from here were sent to Diego Garcia to beef up our readiness in case of an up tick in hostilities. What is not mentioned is what it takes to send and keep those six bombers there. Here is a short list which may, and most likely has , many things missing.
Six Bombers
At least 18 Tankers for refueling during the trip
A questionable number of transport A/C for support ie. maint troups
Equipment and spares
Questionable number of Naval Supply Ships . Many of which have been making that trip since Viet Nam. [ been there, done that. Don’t want to do it again. ]

My point being. I do not think there is another Country that could in any way support long distance wars the way we have done since this Nation was created.

I never heard of Diego Garcia until my SIL ended up there with his B-52 during the Iraq run-up. I was also surprised that they could not make a bombing run without air refueling---to your point it is a logistical symphony.

I think he was there for about 6 months and I believe he was at Barksdale when they were deployed.

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Originally Posted by Independent Voter

I do not think there is another Country that could in any way support long distance wars the way we have done since this Nation was created.

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I was thinking myself about the enroute support required for that mission when I saw it in my newsfeed...My only experience in a similar mission occurred in January 1969, after the 49th TFW's permanent move to Holloman AFB in New Mexico from W. Germany...We had barely stopped peeing German foam, when we got the word we were returning to Spangdahlem AB to participate in the scheduled war games...

I was selected for an enroute support team in case any of our 75 F'4's needed a weapons release technician (to pull a missile launcher to gain engine access for instance)...As luck would have it, I drew duty at NAS Bermuda (formerly Kindley AFB) which definitely made the cross-planet trip in a C-141 worthwhile...As luck would have it not a single Phantom had a problem requiring my touch, so I was released from duty every morning by 9AM for ten days before reboarding the dollar-41 for Germany...For those uninitiated, the backwards facing seats in the Starlifter are very disorienting for those not accustomed to it...

I did get to take advantage of the duty to see a lot of historical sites on Bermuda...Not to mention the Base Exchange there sold cigarettes at 60 cents a carton with no ration card needed, resulting in my duffel bag being stuffed with Lucky Strikes before I reached Spang...I would imagine that similar enroute support teams were standing by at various points between Barksdale and Diego Garcia to service the B-52's needs if necessary...:usa:...Ben

Ben tripped a thought with this:

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For those uninitiated, the backwards facing seats in the Starlifter are very disorienting for those not accustomed to it...

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In my early days of flying, TWA was still flying Constellations, which had some facing seats. They also had a table that could be placed between those seats to allow working or playing cards. Often the number of passengers was low and the then proudly called "stewardesses" would play cards with us.

It was a different time for sure---a suit was the standard attire:flower:

I would assume we store spares at Diego Garcia as well for future needs.

Odd this should come up today. I am sitting in my wife’s doctor’s medical clinic as I write, just having had a discussion with another patient here who I noticed had on a cap honoring B-52’s. I asked if he served on them to which he proudly responded, Yes.” He was somewhere over the age of 80, I would guess. We agreed that the airplane will outlive the both of us, while still in active service.

I got the impression that spares there were pretty spartan but I also believe that was possibly the first time we had used Diego Garcia for that purpose. I'd ask my SIL but I see him very little---he is flying a lot--but does have a 10 day break coming up.

Added in edit:

To Joe's post which I just saw: they went into service in 1955---but that does not mean they are all 65 years old. I think my SIL told me he was flying "H" models, meaning they had undergone many generations of up grades.

If we need to have wars, I prefer them to be far away. Thanks to everyone for helping with that. :usa:

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Originally Posted by Dave Grubb

Added in edit:

To Joe's post which I just saw: they went into service in 1955---but that does not mean they are all 65 years old. I think my SIL told me he was flying "H" models, meaning they had undergone many generations of up grades.

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The oldest turns 60 this year...There are aircrews presently flying whose members include some whose grandfathers flew the exact same aircraft...:geezer:...Ben

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Originally Posted by Truckman

The oldest turns 60 this year...There are aircrews presently flying whose members include some whose grandfathers flew the exact same aircraft...:geezer:...Ben

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My understanding (and I will verify this) is that the upgrades have been made to old air frames---which pretty much remain the same. The last one built was delivered in 1962.

From the maker.

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Originally Posted by CactusCurt

If we need to have wars, I prefer them to be far away. Thanks to everyone for helping with that. :usa:

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That's something we will all agree on! Not sure that is allowed.........going to check the rule book.

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Originally Posted by Mike

That's something we will all agree on! Not sure that is allowed.........going to check the rule book.

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Sacrilege!...What is this board coming to?...:pissed:...Ben

A bunch of old goobers sitting around agreeing on everything - :bored: