Marking a BUFF Anniversary

The venerable B-52 bomber hit another milestone recently—the 50th anniversary of the combat ready declaration for the first B-52 wing. The Air Force on March 12, 1956, declared the 93rd Bombardment Wing, Barksdale AFB, La., combat ready. USAF had activated the new unit less than a year earlier, on June 29, 1955. USAF aircrews took the bomber into combat for the first time on June 18, 1965, during the Vietnam War.