Tag Archives: boeing

Technology

Vehicle I-D: Red Hawk replaces Talon, another example of foreigners controlling U.S. taxpayers

Video

The Boeing and Saab (of Sweden) T-7A Red Hawk is the new advanced trainer for the U.S. Air Force (USAF).

Boeing photo.

In September 2018, it was announced that a contract worth $9.2-billion was given to Boeing-Saab for their T-X (Boeing-T-X) training aircraft (first flying in December 2016), to replace the vintage T-38 Talon.

Boeing photo.

Boeing T-X first flight, cockpit view, 20DEC2016:

Boeing photo.

The two B-T-X prototypes fly over Saint Louis, Missouri, April 2017.

The T-7A is more in-line with prepping pilots to fly the F-35.  In May 2019, Saab announced it would build a Red Hawk factory in the U.S. state of Indiana.

Video, Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) flight test over Saint Louis, Missouri, July 2019:

 On 23FEB2021, Boeing published this video claiming production was underway at its Saint Louis, Missouri, factory: 

Boeing photo.

The USAF wants 351 T-7A Red Hawks (name chosen in September 2019), 46 simulators, and associated ground equipment, with the first Red Hawks arriving on base sometime in 2023-24.

Boeing: T-7A Red Hawk

Saab: T-7A Red Hawk

Vehicle I-D: T-38 PACER CLASSIC-3

USAF F-35A “COMBAT READY” IN UTAH

TAXPAYER PARIAH F-35 CALLS IDAHO HOME!

APACHE TO MUSTANG

Technology

NASA’s twisty-bendy F/A-18A

Video

The Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) program (aka Boeing Phantom Works X-53) sought to determine the advantages of twisting flexible wings for primary maneuvering roll control at transonic and supersonic speeds, with traditional control surfaces such as ailerons and leading-edge flaps used to aerodynamically induce the twist. The idea is to design lighter, more flexible high aspect-ratio wings for future high-performance aircraft, which could translate to more economical operation or greater payload capability.

NASA photo, February 2003.

Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) F/A-18A (acquired in 1999 from the U.S. Navy) undergoes wing torsion testing at NASA’s Flight Loads Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, March-April 2001.

NASA photo, March 2001.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, April 2001.

Official NASA video:

NASA says the AAW program actually began in 1996, on paper.  Wings from NASA’s retired F/A-18 #840, formerly used in the High-Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) project, were modified and installed on #853.

NASA photo, October 2001.

New paint-job, October 2001.

NASA photo by Tony Landis, 24OCT2001.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 21MAR2002.

Before the official public unveiling, Centennial of Flight Commission decals were place on both sides of AAW 853, below the aft portion of the cockpit.  NASA says the AAW program was influenced by the fact that the Wright Brothers twisted the wings of their Wright Flyer to get it to turn.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 21MAR2002.

NASA photo by Tony Landis, 27MAR2002.

In March 2002, NASA officially unveiled the modified AAW F/A-18A.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 21MAR2002.

NASA photo, August 2002.

More wing torsion/vibration testing, August 2002.

NASA photo, August 2002.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 22AUG2002.

15NOV2002, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

First flight of AAW F/A-18A #853 was 15NOV2002.

NASA photo by Carla Thomas, 15NOV2002.

During early flights it was determined that some of the original F/A-18 wings panels were too flexible at high speeds to create the desired roll rate.  The leading edge flap was divided into individually controlled sections, which seemed to solve the problem.

07FEB2003, NASA photo by Jim Ross.

February 2003.

07FEB2003, NASA photo by Jim Ross.

25JUN2003, NASA photo by Jim Ross.

Chased by another NASA F/A-18A, June 2003.

Official NASA video, 2003:

NASA photo, December 2004.

Flying over the U.S. Borax mine, near the Rogers Dry Lake, December 2004.

15DEC2004, NASA photo by Carla Thomas.

Official NASA video:

Official NASA video, March 2005:

The AAW program was officially completed in 2005.  The total cost of the AAW testing is estimated at $45-million.

NASA photo by Tony Landis, 18JUN2009.

In June 2009, the AAW #853 got a new lease on life, replacing an older NF-15B Integrated Resilient Aircraft Controls (IRAC) test aircraft, becoming the IRAC F/A-18A.

06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

By April 2010, the tail flash/stripe was changed from reading AAW, to FAST (Full-scale Advanced Systems Testbed).

Official NASA video, 853 first flight as IRAC, April 2010:

06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

One of the side benefits of aircraft testing is the creation of new computer systems which can be applied to other aircraft, military and civilian.

06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

NASA VIKING, NO NOT THE MARS LANDERS! OR, LAST FLIGHT OF A VIKING.

F-16XL LAMINAR FLOW, ONCE AGAIN NASA (TAXPAYERS) SAVING THE ‘PRIVATE SECTOR’ AIRLINER INDUSTRY!

NASA’S 737, TEST-BED FOR THE CIVILIAN AIRLINER INDUSTRY!

Technology

NASA’s 737, test-bed for the civilian airliner industry!

Image

In a country where the capitalist corporate world is supposed to be independent of government interference, or even assistance, the U.S. airliner industry has been totally reliant upon taxpayer funded NASA for developing more efficient, and safer, technologies.

NASA’s Boeing 737-130 was the workhorse of such taxpayer funded testing and developments.  Serial Number SN-19437 (N515NA, tail #515) was born in 1968 (some sources say 1967), and reported for duty at NASA’s Langley Research Center in 1973.  Apparently 515 was the first prototype Boeing 737 built.

I must point out that between 1938 and 1978 the U.S. airline industry was under the total regulation of the federal government, being de-regulated beginning in 1978 with the hopes that capitalist competition would reign in growing costs of operation, but in reality has created the money-grubbing passenger unfriendly monstrosity of today.   Even with de-regulation the airliner industry still relies on taxpayer funded testing of new technologies.

515 took part in dozens of developments:  Microwave Landing Systems, velocity vector display development, CRT electronic cockpit displays, profile descent control law development, total energy control law development,  helmet mounted displays.  Also, satellite-based Global Positioning System for auto-landings, ground-air data-link in lieu of voice communication, traffic flow management ATC-compatible 4-D Flight Management System development, wind shear detection research.  Just to name a few.

In 1985, 515 joined several other NASA and FAA aircraft in the U.S. state of Maine, as well as in Canada, to study Runway Friction in bad weather.

In 1989, 515 got a new paint-job.

According to NASA, 515 was constantly modified, and even had two cockpits, the second cockpit being located where the airliner’s first class passengers would sit.

1990s NASA video showing 515 is use for wind-shear research.  The research was done because of the increasing number of crashes being caused by the weather phenomenon called wind-shear:

High lift wing testing, 1990s.

515 retired in  2003, and now resides at the Museum of Flight, in Seattle, Washington.

NASA: F-16XL LAMINAR FLOW, ONCE AGAIN NASA SAVING THE AIRLINER INDUSTRY!

NASA’S C-133 APOLLO DROP SHIP

 

Technology

NASA’s C-133 Apollo drop ship

Video

A 13-thousand-pound (5896.7-kilos) Apollo Command Module 19A test mock-up (aka boilerplate) was used to test various systems before the actual Apollo was launched, including parachutes.

NASA photos.

On 03JUL1968, NASA’s C-133 Cargomaster drops the Apollo ‘boilerplate’ for parachute (aka Earth Landing System) testing.

The first ELS test was conducted on 03MAY1963.  Between 1963 and 1968, 34 drop tests, using various ‘boilerplate’ modules with different parachute configurations, were completed.

Silent NASA video:

‘Boilerplate’ coming down on the Southern California-El Centro desert, 16JUN1968.

Original Northrop Ventura Corporation documentary film:

See an actual boilerplate module at Columbia Memorial Science Center, in California.

NASA photo 1963.

NASA also used the C-133 to haul what was called the Centaur Upper Stage shuttle rocket.  The Centaur Upper Stage shuttle rocket has been periodically brought back to life as a cheaper alternative to the Space Shuttle.  NASA C-133s also transported stages for Atlas, Saturn and Titan rockets to Cape Canaveral, Florida.

NASA’s Viking, no not the Mars Landers! 

Travis Air Force Base: C-133 Cargomaster

Technology

KC-135: The last ISO for the 916th

Video

Photos by Staff Sergeant Mary McKnight.

In October 2019, on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, the 916th Maintenance Squadron (of the 916th Air Refueling Wing) completed their last isochronal (ISO) inspection of a KC-135 Stratotanker.

The KC-135 has been replaced by the KC-46 Pegasus.

The last ISO on the 916th KC-135 was started in August, but took longer than expected due to delays caused by severe weather: “The ISO (isochronal) aircraft was placed on the flightline as a precaution to protect it from possible damage. The hangar it was in leaves the empennage exposed to high winds which could cause more damage because of the close tolerance to the hangar doors.”-Senior Master Sergeant Karl Rehkamp, 916th Maintenance Squadron maintenance flight chief

Explainer video report, by Technical Sergeant Michael McGhee:

KC-135:  BATS & BEARS, OH MY!

Kit Bashing, Technology

KC-135: Bats & Bears, oh my!

Video

Iowa Air National Guard 185th Air Refueling Wing’s 75th Anniversary colors, 22DEC2020. Photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot.

After more than six decades the KC-135 Stratotanker flies on, and by the end of 2020 some even got new clothes for 2021.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 22DEC2020.

Iowa’s bat tail was first used on F-16s in the 1990s.  Iowa’s bat logo was first used over Viet Nam in the 1960s, to represent the unit’s night operations.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 01MAR2022.

The nose of the KC-135 has a diamond surrounded by silhouettes depicting the type of aircraft flown by the Iowa unit since 1946.  The 185th switched from single seat aircraft to the KC-135 in 2003.

Video of Sioux City Bat tanker by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 22DEC2020:

Alaska Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey, 15OCT2020.

In October 2020, Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing revealed a new polar bear logo on their KC-135s.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Kaylee Dubois, 18DEC2020.

The tail flash at the top of each Stratotanker’s vertical tail will bear the name of one of nine interior tribal/native communities.  The final two will bear the name Fairbanks and North Pole.

Alaska Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey, 17DEC2020.

Dramatic music video unveiling (by Technical Sergeant William A Keele) of Alaska’s polar bear tail KC-135, 15OCT2020:

Alaska Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey, 17DEC2020.

Here’s a New Jersey Air National Guard KC-135R from May 2020 covid-19 flyover ops:

New Jersey Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sergeant Cristina J. Allen, 12MAY2020.

KC-135: Pandemic Overflight

Rivet Joint-Airseeker: RC-135V/W PATRIOT & RED COAT

Bare Metal: KC-135R GETS STRIPPED

2019: KC-135 CITY OF DERBY

International, Kit Bashing, Technology, U.S.

Rivet Joint-Airseeker: RC-135V/W Patriot & Red Coat

Video

RC-135 Rivet Joint , Las Vegas, Nevada, 07DEC2021. U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis.

Kadena Air Base, Japan, 12MAY2020. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Benjamin Sutton.

Personnel wearing masks board RC-135V at Kadena Air Base, Japan, 05MAY2020. USAF photo by Senior Airman Rhett Isbell.

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, 21FEB2020. USAF photo by Manuel Garcia.

The Boeing RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft are the most recent members of the RC-135 family, which can be traced back to 1964.  The difference between the ‘V’ and ‘W’ variants depends upon which C-135 was upgraded/modified to Rivet Joint standard; RC-135Vs are upgraded RC-135Cs, while RC-135Ws are modified C-135Bs.

USAF photo by Manuel Garcia, 21FEB2020.

It provides near-real-time on-scene intelligence collection, primarily by detecting, identifying and geolocating signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum.

Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, 28JUL2017. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Amy Lovgren.

Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, 28JUL2017. Photo by Technical Sergeant Amy Lovgren.

It can carry a crew of more than 30 people, and is powered by four CFM-56 turbofans.

Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, 27JUL2017. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Amy Lovgren.

Currently, U.S. Air Force Rivet Joints are flown by the 55th Wing, based out of Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska.

Offutt AFB, Nebraska, 13MAR2012. USAF photo by Jeffrey Gates.

Time lapse video by Senior Airman Jacob Skovo-Lane, How to Wash your Rivet Joint, October 2018:

Video by Senior Airman Joshua Hoskins, Michigan Air National Guard re-fuels Rivet Joint over Afghanistan, January 2017:

Offutt AFB, 13MAR2012. USAF photo by Jeffrey Gates.

Over Afghanistan, 19JUN2011. USAF photo by Master Sergeant William Greer.

Over Afghanistan, 19JUN2011. USAF photo by Master Sergeant William Greer.

Over Afghanistan, 19JUN2011. USAF photo by Master Sergeant William Greer.

In August 2010, the USAF celebrated 20 years of Rivet Joint operations, with aircraft that are as much as 50 years old:

During the pandemic of 2020, believe it or not a mask was created for the nose of the RC-135.  It is nicknamed The Mule Mask.  Video interview of mask creator Technical Sergeant Kristen Horwith by Staff Sergeant Lexie West, 11AUG2020:

Video by (then) Senior Airmen Lexie West, USAF RC-135 at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, November 2017:

RAF RC-135W Airseeker, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, 02MAY2018. USAF photo by Senior Airman Jacob Skovo-Lane.

RAF RC-135W Airseeker, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, 02MAY2018. USAF photo by Senior Airman Jacob Skovo-Lane.

For the Commonwealth of Nations (formerly British Commonwealth of Nations, formerly British Empire) member United Kingdom, in 2011 the RC-135W was chosen as the replacement for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) BAe Nimrod R Mark 1.    In November 2013 the RAF received it’s first RC-135W, flying it’s first mission in May 2014.  The official British name for the RC-135W is Airseeker.

12FEB2017, Airseeker undergoing landing gear inspection, Offutt AFB. USAF photo by Delanie Stafford.

12FEB2017, Airseeker undergoing landing gear inspection, Offutt AFB. USAF photo by Delanie Stafford.

While taking part in Red Flag aerial wargames in February 2017, over Nevada, the RAF Airseeker developed main-landing gear problems and diverted to Offutt AFB in Nebraska.

12FEB2017, Airseeker undergoing landing gear inspection, Offutt AFB. USAF photo by Delanie Stafford.

It was determined that the Airseeker had a faulty main-landing gear sequence valve, which was preventing the gear from locking in the retracted position.

RAF Airseeker, Red Flag wargames, Nevada, 2017. Photo by Sergeant Neil Bryden.

Giant model of an RC-135, Lackland AFB, Texas. Photo by by Nadine Wiley De Moura.

The ancient Nova vacformed 1:72 scale KC-135 came with optional parts which you could use to make an RC version (but it has the older engines since it came out before the CFM-56 version, you could kit-bash using a newer CFM equipped AMT-ERTL KC-135R kit, which was also issued under the Airfix/Heller brands).

In the 1990s AMT-ERTL issued a 1:72 scale RC-135V, the version used during Desert Storm.   Some kit bashers used the kit to model a RC-135W Airseeker. 

An old photo of an RC-135, by Forrest Durham.

If you are a model builder, pay attention to the year of operation of the RC-135V/W you want to depict, because various antennae bumps and blades will appear and disappear depending on the latest electronic mission configuration.   It seems the older the plane gets the more skin growths it develops.

Somewhere in The middle East (South West Asia), 04MAR2010. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Michelle Larche.

Refueling during the invasion of Iraq. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Dave Ahlschwede, 09APR2003.

Over Nebraska, 01MAY2000. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Dave Nolan.

01MAY2000, USAF photo by Master Sergeant Dave Nolan.

Don’t forget the bottom.

Departing from a forward operating base during the invasion of Iraq. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Robert J. Horstman, 28APR2003.

11DEC1991, USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Scott P. Stewart.

Don’t confuse with the RC-135S Cobra Ball:

Not all RC-135S are covered in bumps and antennae. USAF photo by Senior Airman Amy Younger, 23MAY2020.

Variations of bumps and windows on RC-135S. Notice that the upper part of starboard wing, as well as nacelles, on some Cobra Balls are painted matt-black. USAF photo by Senior Airman Jeremy Smith, September 2001.

C-130: ONCE A RED COAT, NOW A BLUE ANGEL

Pandemic Overflight: KC-135

EC-135E FIRE-BIRD: 10329 COMES BACK TO LIFE, AGAIN! OR, WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR EXTRA KC-135 KIT.

Vehicle I-D: MLRS, BRITISH RED COATS INVADE U.S. ARMY BASE IN GERMANY!

2018: M777 artillery proof the Red Coats have returned!

2017: U.S. ARMY COMMANDED BY RED COATS?

Canadian Red Coats control U.S. NORAD: SHHH, DON’T “CROSSTELL”, BUT U.S. AIR MILITIA UNITS & CANADA PREPPING FOR TFR EMERGENCY!

International, Technology

End of the Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: No more Open Skies, or whatever happened to the OC-135B?

Video

U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Keith Reed the Third, 17JUL1997.

On 24MAR1992, the Treaty on Open Skies was created as a way of being sure that countries that have military weapons (military-grade arms) control agreements are complying.  However, it wouldn’t be until 01JAN2002 that Open Skies actually went into effect, with 34 countries signed-on (but only 20 ratified).  Interestingly, the first OC-135B was ready to launch in June 1993!

Newly independent Ukrainian Air Force personnel get their photo taken in front of their Open Skies Antonov An-30. Photo by Technical Sergeant Brad Fallin, 14APR1997.

Russian Open Skies Antonov An-30, 25SEP2009. Photo by Alan Lebeda.

On 22NOV2020, the United States officially withdrew from the Treaty on Open Skies, so far the only country to do so.  It’s interesting that the many countries who did not sign-on to Open Skies, like nuclear armed China, condemned the U.S. withdrawal.

Photo by Kelly White. 23APR2020, U.S. Air Force OC-135B (6-12670) stripped and awaiting what would become its final Open Skies livery.

But it is more complicated than U.S. President Donald Trump being a mean old ‘orange man’, it’s about other treaty signators not complying, and the fact that updating the now ‘ancient’ observation technology is just too cost prohibitive for taxpayers.

A naked OC-135B anticipates its final Open Skies paint job on Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. Photo by Kelly White, 23APR2020.

Here’s a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) video, 22MAY2020, in which NATO accuses Russia (Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) of violating the Open Skies agreement:

Photo by Charles Haymond. An OC-135B Open Skies (converted WC-135 weather research) aircraft takes off from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska,14SEP2018.

Photo by Technical Sergeant Heather Salazar. Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily Rossii (Military Air Forces of Russia) Open Skies Tupolev Tu-154M RF-85655, lands at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, 14AUG2019.

From 1992-93, three WC-135B aircraft were modified for the Open Skies mission, re-designated OC-135B.   For some reason, after only a few years based at Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska, the first OC-135B was sent straight to ‘moth-balls’ at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, in 1997.

Photo by Charles J. Haymond, 14SEP2018.

This OC-135B conducted observation flights over Haiti, after the 7.0 earthquake in 2010. Photo by Senior Airman Perry Aston, 16JAN2010.

Despite the OC-135Bs being used on other non-Open Skies observations, such as natural disasters, according to some reports the remaining two OC-135Bs are now available for sale as a result of the U.S. exit from Open Skies: “We’ve started liquidating the equipment. Other countries can come purchase or just take the airframes. They are really old and cost-prohibitive for us to maintain. We don’t have a use for them anymore.”

Photo by Staff Sergeant John Hillier. 01FEB2018, a Commonwealth of Nations (aka British Empire) Royal Canadian Air Force C-130J arrives at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, Missouri, joining units from France and Czech Republic for Open Skies training with the Missouri Air National Guard.

What many people might not know is that the Open Skies operation required the use of old school film technology.  In this 2015 U.S. Air Force video report, by John Harrington, it’s revealed that the old technology was getting difficult to maintain due to no new parts:

Here is an October 2016 USAF video (by John Harrington) explaining how the imagery captured by the OC-135Bs are processed:

Photo by Delanie Stafford. Snow removal from Open Skies OC-135B, 03FEB2015, Offutt AFB.

Via Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Russian examine a U.S. OC-135B, 27FEB2007.

Via Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Italian C-130 with SAMSON observation pod.

23NOV2020: Russia warns remaining Open Skies members not to share data with United States

11NOV2020: French personnel to use Romanian An-30 for Open Skies flyover of Russia

Realize that the United States and Russia have always conducted observation flights of each other, Open Skies was just an attempt to make it more militarily non-threatening.

28NOV2020: Russian Sukhoi 27 scrambled to intercept U.S. RC-135 over Black Sea

27NOV2020: Russia accuses NATO of conducting more than 1300 non-Open Skies spy flights

There were rumors that the two remaining Open Skies OC-13Bs were up for sale in 2020, however, the aircraft were given a fresh ‘Open Skies’ paint job and sent to the ‘boneyard’ in Arizona. USAF video by David Farley, 13MAY2021:

OC-135B Open Skies on Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, 09JUN2021. USAF photo by Senior Airman Alex Miller.

July 2022: NATO-Romania puts to use an ex-Open Skies Antonov 30.

U.S. taxpayer expense: NASA’S Russian Tupolev 144 SST

Pandemic Overflight: KC-135

Bare Metal: KC-135R GETS STRIPPED

EC-135E FIRE-BIRD, 10329 COMES BACK TO LIFE, AGAIN! OR, WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR EXTRA KC-135 KIT.

HOW TO MUMMIFY YOUR KC-10, OR, LAST FLIGHT OF 86-0036

Terminator: SpaceX satellites helping the new U.S. Space Force to target you from above

Kit Bashing, Technology

Model kit E-8 JSTARS gate guard

Image

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Goldberger, 20MAY2020.

Personnel at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, volunteer to assemble a giant model of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS), 20MAY2020.

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Goldberger, 20MAY2020.

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Goldberger, 20MAY2020.

The official reason for the giant model is “to inspire pride”.

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Goldberger, 20MAY2020.

1:1 SCALE WIND TUNNEL MODELS?

U.S. MARINES USE ‘FAKE NEWS’ MIG-23

RETIRED USN CRAFTSMAN RECALLS DAYS OF BEING PAID TO BUILD GIANT MODEL PLANES!

Influenza, Technology

Pandemic OverFlight: B-52, bomb the virus back to the stoneage!

Video

Salute to Heroes, Operation American Resolve, America Strong, or whatever is the latest Defense Department name for it, apparently massive flights of military aircraft flying over metro areas makes people feel more secure about fighting the “invisible enemy” of a Pandemic.

U.S. Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem, 14MAY2020.

B-52 Stratofortress from the 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base, California, flies over Lancaster and Palmdale, 14MAY2020.

USAF photo by Giancarlo Casem, 14MAY2020.

From the ground video, USAF 2nd Bomb Wing and 307th Bomb Wing B-52s, and Louisiana Air National Guard 159th Fighter Wing F-15 Eagles, over New Orleans:

From the air video of same aircraft over Louisiana, 05MAY2020:

USAF photo by Senior Airman Lillian Miller, 01MAY2020.

Bare Metal:

USAF photo by Greg L. Davis.

B-1B & B-52H

MINI B-52H LANDS AT BARKSDALE