Since it became operational in 1955, the B-52 has been the main long-range heavy bomber of the Strategic Air Command.ò It first flew on April 15, 1952.ò Nearly 750 B-52s were built before production ended in October 1963. ò The "D" models were modified to carry conventional bombs externally. ò Later series had provisions for "Hound Dog" air-to-surface missiles and Quail decoy missiles.



The B-52 set many records in its 30-plus years of service.ò On January 18, 1957, three B-52s completed the world`s first non-stop round-the-world flight by jet aircraft, lasting 45 hours, 19 minutes, requiring only three aerial refuelings.ò A B-52 made the first known airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956.ò B-52s entered combat in June 1965 when they began flying missions with conventional bombs in support of operations in Southeast Asia. ò By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with a loss of 17 B-52s to enemy action.



B-52s were stationed at Robins AFB from 1961-1983 with the 19th Bomb Wing.ò Warner Robins ALC has logistics management responsibility for the fire-control, bombing/navigational and electronic countermeasure systems installed on all B-52 aircraft.ò The aircraft on display served in Southeast Asia in 1968 and again in 1972-73 with the 99th Bomb Wing flying from Andersen AFB, Guam.ò Its "last flight" was made to Robins AFB on August 25, 1983.ò It was delivered by a crew from the 7th Bomb Wing at Carswell AFB, Texas, its last duty station.