How Effective can the new B-52's be in taking out ISIS Targets?

SPC Andrew Griffin — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:03:37 -0500

The Air Force said the B-52's were responsible for dropping 40% of all munitions during Operation Desert Storm. The B-52's also saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout the 2000s. How effective can they be in taking out ISIS Targets?

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 8 at 2016 5:06 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:06:37 -0500

Hard to tell, we might ask the Major that said that they were not useful in today's operations.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Mar 8 at 2016 5:08 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:08:29 -0500

SPC Andrew Griffin I would say effective enough to destroy ISIS. with all the technology in the B52s it's a dangerous plane in the enemy with the best bombs reigning down from the sky!

Response by SPC James Dollins made Mar 8 at 2016 5:09 PM

SPC James Dollins — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:09:24 -0500

I think they could be effective, but it would have to be in a rural area. The way ISIS likes to hide w/in the population, not very effective.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 8 at 2016 5:19 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:19:08 -0500

Strategic Bombers are outside of my wheelhouse. As a ground pounder it seems like using a hammer to pick the fleas off a dog. I would be interested in a primer from someone knowledgeable B-52 employment. How could it be used against an enemy that typically does not mass and embeds itself in the civilian populations

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made Mar 8 at 2016 5:23 PM

SSgt Donnavon Smith — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:23:58 -0500

you are all thinking 1970's the B-52 is now a standoff platform full of mass quantities of JDAMS and CALCMs it circles up high and rains down MUCH precision guided freedom

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 5:28 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:28:44 -0500

It was a pretty sight watching bombs drop from a B-52 in Vietnam. As in Vietnam, the B-52 can be effective if the ISIS forces are away from civilian populations.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 8 at 2016 5:29 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:29:35 -0500

I see this making ISIS resort to more asymmetrical tactics. If anything it will prevent them from digging in.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 8 at 2016 6:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 18:27:39 -0500

In the open yes. On buildings we will not go Total War on them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 6:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 18:41:46 -0500

How effective? Only time will tell.
--Knowing that B-52's are on the way(all over the news)=small call for concern from ISIS. They'll never use them.
--Seeing the B-52's flying into sector=just a show of force they'll never use them.
--The last few seconds as they see the bomb doors open and 2 tons of love is falling their way=PRICELESS

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 7:44 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 19:44:26 -0500

Well bombs are pretty damn effective in general. But what you really need to check is what your targets are, see we can bomb whatever we want like back in WWII but there are definitely consequences to those actions. These days enemies like ISIS don't wear a particular uniform and have a tendency to hide out in the civilian populace. This tends to pose a problem for us and any future bombing missions and/or campaigns.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 11:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 23:57:24 -0500

Bring in the A-10 since it carries lots of ordance at low altitude. I just posted a discussion and if they are keeping the BUFF until 2040, why not the A-10 as well?

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Mar 9 at 2016 12:09 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 00:09:43 -0500

This venerable old lady of SAC has seen more upgrades and face lifts than Phylis Diller. That said, it has all the latest avionics and is capable of sticking an ALCM (Air Launched Cruise Missile) or any other of the newest "smart Bombs" right up your tail pipe. The B-52 however is not new. The youngest one in the fleet came off the Boeing factory floor in 1963. With all its upgrades and design changes it is slated to be in active existence until 2040. It could indeed be the first aircraft to serve for 100 years. When the B-1 and B-2 go to the Bone Yard it will be a mighty BUFF to do the fly by salute!

As we jokingly said back in the day, SAC ~ Peace is our Profession, War is just a hobby.

We took the job seriously in spite of the conditions. I also know of damn few who would not consider removing their left one to do it all again.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Mar 9 at 2016 6:09 AM

COL Ted Mc — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 06:09:35 -0500

SPC Andrew Griffin - Spec; Depending on ordnance dropped, they range from "ineffectual" to "extremely effective".

Response by MSgt C Madd made Mar 9 at 2016 7:29 AM

MSgt C Madd — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 07:29:42 -0500

SPC Andrew Griffin In the words of the late great General Curtis LeMay, "If you kill enough of them, they stop fighting."

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 9:48 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 09:48:11 -0500

Depends in what ordinance they employ. Some of it would be VERY effective.
I would suggest something in the 100kt range.

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Mar 9 at 2016 10:39 AM

CPT Gary Jugenheimer — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 10:39:36 -0500

ARC lights are effective in all applications....

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Mar 9 at 2016 3:44 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:44:01 -0500

If it's dropping precision ordnance on pre-designated or actively designated targets, it should be very effective. And considering it has a long loiter time and literally carries TONS of bombs, it could very well be the ideal platform for this kind of mission.

Response by MSgt John Carroll made Mar 9 at 2016 6:13 PM

MSgt John Carroll — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 18:13:41 -0500

Only as good as the JTAC on the ground.

Response by MSgt Norman Van Tuyl made Mar 10 at 2016 4:10 AM

MSgt Norman Van Tuyl — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 04:10:29 -0500

Highly effective against hardened targets

Response by SPC Harold Bustamante made Mar 12 at 2016 12:19 AM

SPC Harold Bustamante — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 00:19:42 -0500

unless Daesh ( IS) is having a humongous pow wow or rock concert I would not carpet bomb as to prevent innocent civilian casualties.