The imposing Boeing B-52H Stratofortress.
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a heavy long-range bomber, was capable of nuclear bombs and conventional bombs. The aircraft has been in service with the U.S. Air Force since the '50s and was first deployed during the Vietnam War. It still fulfils an important role in US Air Force operations today.
The aircraft was nicknamed BUFF (=Big Ugly Flying Fellow or Big Ugly Fat Fucker) because of its appearance and destructiveness.
As a result of the START II treaties, the B-52H no longer has nuclear duties. The B-52H's nuclear duty has been transferred to the Rockwell International B-1 Lancer and the Northrop-Grumman B-2 Spirit. The B-52H can carry more than 20 air-launched cruise missiles.
Once there were 744 different B-52's flying in the U.S. Air Force, in 2013 there were only 78.
This picture was taken on 29 March 2025 during the Defenders of Liberty Airshow at Barksdale Air Force Base in the US state of Louisiana.
I am Jaap van den Berg and photography has become a great passion of mine since 2010. Since then I travel all over the world to take pictures of military aircrafts. But besides aircraft I also love to photograph other subjects like landscapes, architecture, flowers, animals, .. Read more…