Blue Sharks take a ride on a B52H
The Barbers Pointer, July 22 1988
By LTJG Kevin L. Hannes
During RIMPAC '88, the world famous "Blue Sharks" of VP-6 had the distinct
pleasure of flying with the Air Force's 5th Bombardment Squadron, out of Minot, ND.
Some VP-6 flight crews have been flying sorties with the Air Force in B52H aircraft. The B52 crews are in the learning stage of a mission familiar to the VP air crews. Support for the war at sea. Several Blue Sharks flew with the "Stratofortress" crews to share their expertise in surface search, ship recognition, communications, strike tactics and battle group support.
Squadron personnel that flew with the 5th Bombardment Squadron were
LT Pete Bouffard (PPTC), LT Harry Mann (PPTC), LT Scott Musmansky (PPC), LTJG Chris Deryck (PPTC) and AWC Bo Miller (EWO).
All the Blue Sharks commented that the Air Force does do things differently than
the Navy, but they were eager to learn and get their feet wet in this new
mission. Flying in the surprisingly cramped spaces of the giant "BUF" gave our
aircrew new appreciation for the crew comfort of the much smaller P-3B(mod).
The Blue Sharks demonstrated the interoperability of Navy and Air Force flight crews, and their ability to succeed in a common mission. The prodigious weapons load and seat numbing range and endurance of the B52H made it a welcome addition to the forces of freedom in the deterrence of war at sea.
Well done and "BZ" to the Blue Shark flight crews and their Air Force hosts. |