Prepare for the Boom: B-52 Bombers Headed to Fort Hood for Live Munitions Training

Heads up if you live near Fort Hood. The base is conducting live munitions training next week.

B-52 Stratofortress Live Munitions Training at Fort Hood

According to KCEN, B-52 Stratofortress aircraft out of Louisiana will conduct live munitions training at Fort Hood next week. The low altitude bombing runs will be loud, so if you live in the surrounding area, you might want to put on some headphones or turn the TV up extra loud.

Where is the Homebase of the Aircraft?

The aircraft are flying in from the 20th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

The Training Will Take Place Over 4 Days

According to Fort Hood officials, the training will focus on aircrew proficiency and joint readiness. During the exercise, 500-pound munitions will be dropped in the designated Fort Hood impact area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 9-12.

The Boeing B-52 Bomber Makes an Appearance in the Iran Conflict

U.S. Central Command says the Boeing B-52 Bomber has now entered the chat, as it were, hitting 2,000 targets in Iran since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28th.

The B-52 Bomber’s Long Military History

The B-52 Bomber is not new on the scene. It was first flown in 1952, seeing service in Vietnam, Desert Storm, the Global War on Terror and now Operation Epic Fury.

The B-52 Bomber Has Company in the Skies

The B-52 Bomber is not working alone in the Iranian conflict. The B-1 Lancer is also taking part in the attacks as well. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers conducted long-range strikes deep inside Iran targeting ballistic missile facilities and command-and-control infrastructure.

What Exactly Does the B-52 Do?

The B-52H can fly at altitudes up to 50k feet while carrying nuclear or precision-guided conventional weapons. According to the Air Force, it can carry up to 70k pounds.