OF ‘INHERENT RESOLVE’
This shot of a 2nd Bomb Wing B-52H
shows just how far the Stratofortress
has come in recent years. This Barksdale
‘BUFF’ (60-0008) carries six 2,000lb
GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions
(JDAMs) plus a mix of 500lb GBU-38
JDAMs and GBU-54 laser JDAM.BATTLE-HARDENED BOEINGS
The tanker rotations to the Middle East are relentless,
taking a huge toll on the squadrons. This KC-135R is a
MPRS (Multi-Point Refueling System) jet.http://www.combataircraft.net // April 2018 85
The 55th Reconnaissance Wing’s camera-shy RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft aren’t
typically deployed to the Middle East and this example is likely to be passing
through en route to or from a deployment location. The three Cobra Balls are used
to track ballistic missiles and warheads during the fi nal phase of fl ight.84-85 Al Udeid C.indd 85 15/02/2018 12:50