The 11th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La., is “home” to all B-52 aircrew—pilots, navigators, and electronic warfare officers. The squadron runs BUFF initial and upgrade training, and, in 2005, the unit processed 315 B-52 students—180 were brand new to the oldest bomber in the service. (Read our story on the 50-plus-year-old workhorse here.) According to Lt. Col. Parker Northrop, 11th BS commander, the training program has been revamped some. It now includes joint warfighting, using the virtual Buff to learn advance tactics and add multiple airframes, sometimes getting to experience Red Flag and Air Warrior II exercises.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
