It used to be said that the B-52 bombers flown and maintained by airmen today were much older than the airmen. SSgt. Kory McLeod, a B-52 crew chief with the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., says his BUFF is older than his mother. Yikes. Air Force journalist Michael Tolzmann talked with some of the Minot airmen who see the “charisma” of the old warplanes and claim they are still capable. “Some people think she handles a bit mushy and has some troubles,” says one pilot, Capt. Patrick Hook, and adds, “She’s definitely not as sexy as some of the smaller, pointy aircraft, but she definitely can put some hurt on the bad guys.”
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.