During Bright Star ’82, eight B-52 bombers assigned to the strategic-projection force establish a record for the longest nonstop B-52 bombing mission. Flying a distance of 15,000 miles with three midair refuelings in 31 hours from air bases in North Dakota, the bombers deliver their conventional munitions on a simulated runway in Egypt.
The Air Force is searching for a new “ground-based launcher” as it ramps up its air base defense capabilities to counter enemy attacks from the sky.