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Barksdale's B-52 shines at Berlin Air Show

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandra M. Boutte
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARSKDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --   A B-52H Stratofortress and aircrew participated in the Berlin Air Show in East Germany June 8 to 13 to showcase the aircraft at the request of the Secretary of the Air Force.

The air show started off with the trade show with senior civilians and military personnel and various ambassadors, including the Honorable Phillip Murphy, U.S. Ambassador to Germany. Mr. Murphy personally greeted Barksdale's aircrew to welcome them to Germany.

The B-52H crew represented both the 2nd Bomb Wing and the 917th Wing and consisted of representatives from four squadrons at Barksdale Air Force Base.

"Our main mission was to showcase the aircraft in an international setting," said Lt. Col. Dave Leebon, 93rd Bomb Squadron director of operations.

During the cold war, East German pilots flew the P1 Mustangs targeting the B-52s. Now the aircraft was placed on the German airfield during the air show.

"Some people who came to see the static display during the air show were East German veteran pilots whose main mission was to target and shoot the B-52s," said Lt. Col. Mark Alvarez, 93rd BS electronic warfare officer. "They were so astonished on how close they were to the plane that used to be an enemy aircraft."

"It was interesting to see East Germany and glimpse pieces of the past and parts of the future," said Lt. Col. Denis Heinz, 93rd BS flight commander.

The crew agreed it was great to have a mission to showcase the B-52 in a nice way.

"I don't think a single aircraft generated as much attention as the B-52," said Colonel Leebon.

The B-52 will continue to do European air shows showcasing the aircraft in the future. A Barksdale crew will attend an air show in mid-September at Czech Republic, Ostrava.

"The B-52 was a Cold War icon," said Colonel Heinz. "We were once enemies and now, 20 years later, we are allies. Having the aircraft sit on their flightline proves friendship and unity."