Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
B-52 Stratofortress
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 23, 2021
1. B-52 Stratofortress Marker
The B-52 is the longest serving strategic aircraft in the United States Air Force. Since the mid-1950s B-52 crews stood ready to deliver nuclear warheads, flying from bases in the United States. Until the late 1960s, aircraft equipped with live nuclear weapons were maintained on airborne alert.
With the advent of surface-to-air missiles in the 1960s, the B-52 successfully shifted from high to low level weapon delivery. The war in Vietnam brought a different mission: high level tactical bombing with old-fashion conventional 'iron' bombs. A mission it would repeat decades later, in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Built in several production versions, the B-52 has been in service long enough to have outlived the Strategic Air Command itself. Today, it is still flying, and will do so well into the 21st Century. One saying that is popular with today's aircrews is: "The last B-52 pilot hasn't been born."
General Specifications: B-52H
Armament: Approximately 70,000 lb. mixed ordnance -- bombs, mines and missiles
(Modified to carry air-launched cruise missiles), one 20mm Vulcan M61 cannon.
Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney engines TF33-P-3/103 turbofan
Speed: 650 mph.
Range: Unrefueled 8,800 miles
Length: 159 ft., 4 in.
Weights: Empty 172,740 lbs., combat 306,358 lbs.; maximum take-off;
this page online
Serving Ceiling: 50,000 ft.
Crew: Five (aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer)
Source: United States Air Force
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, 2nd Iraq • War, Vietnam.
Location. 35° 3.931′ N, 106° 32.083′ W. Marker is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It is in Kirtland Air Force Base. Marker is on Eubank Boulevard SE south of Southern Boulevard SE, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. A fee is necessary to access the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albuquerque NM 87123, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. B-52B Stratofortress 52-0013 (here, next to this marker); Hound Dog (a few steps from this marker); USS James K. Polk (within shouting distance of this marker); Silverplate and Saddletree Bombers (within shouting distance of this marker); Snark (within shouting distance of this marker); B-29 Superfortress (within shouting distance of this marker); Mace (within shouting distance of this marker); 280 mm Atomic Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 23, 2021
2. B-52 Stratofortress and Markers
Also see . . . B-52 Stratofortress at Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 7, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
