B-52 Crashes Off Guam, Killing At Least 3

Air Force Says Rescue Teams Searching For Remaining 3 Airmen Aboard Bomber

(AP)  Military officials say at least three crew members are dead after the crash of an Air Force B-52 bomber off Guam.

Rescue teams continue to search for the three airmen still missing after the Monday morning crash. They have covered roughly 3,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean.

The Coast Guard says aircraft from as far away as Japan were brought into assist in the search-and-rescue operation.

The military says the B-52 was en route to a flyover in a parade when it crashed about 30 miles northwest of Apra Harbor.

Six vessels, three helicopters, two F-15 fighter jets and a B-52 bomber were involved in the search, which had covered about 70 square miles of ocean, said Coast Guard spokeswoman Lt. Elizabeth Buendia.

"We have an active search that's going to go on throughout the night," she said Monday. The Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and local fire and police departments were involved.

Maj. Stuart Upton, a Pentagon spokesman, said the aircraft was unarmed.

The B-52 bomber, based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, was en route to conduct a flyover in a parade when it crashed around 9:45 a.m. Monday about 30 miles northwest of Apra Harbor, the Air Force said.

The Liberation Day parade celebrates the day when the U.S. military arrived on Guam to retake control of the island from Japan.

The Air Force said a board of officers will investigate the accident.

The accident is the second for the Air Force this year on Guam, a U.S. territory 3,700 miles southwest of Hawaii.

In February, a B-2 crashed at Andersen Air Force Base shortly after takeoff in the first-ever crash of a stealth bomber. Both pilots ejected safely. The military estimated the cost of the loss of the aircraft at $1.4 billion.

The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can refuel in mid air. Since the 159-foot-long bomber was first placed into service in 1955, it has been used for a wide range of missions from attacks to ocean surveillance. Two B-52s, in two hours, can monitor 140,000 square miles of ocean surface.

According to the Air Force's Web site, the B-52 Stratofortress has been the backbone of the manned strategic bomber force for the United States for more than four decades. It is capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory, including cluster bombs and precision guided missiles.

[nojoy01]

For the crew, good luck & may God preserve you.

[arrestbush1]

There was no crash. Just another bs article to get good people all worked up over nothing. I wouldn''t believe any of this *** especially when there is no picture to prove it. Seems like there getting lazy to even submit fake photos.

[harpoot]

I''ll bet Crash McSame was flying it.

[john_in_stl]

I hope the remaining crew members are safe.

[dktownsend]

Arrwstbush GET A GRIP...It did happen and they are still looking for those who are still out there. The cause of the cras is yet to be determined. Keep these and all military in your prayers.

[nwihoosier]

Peace and Love
feelyfeely & arrestbush1, I feel sorry for you. You are such sad individuals.
Peace and Love

[j_flood]

As a former USAF crewmember my thoughts are with the family and friends....

[tootall10142]

HEY! rob roy these people fight foryour right to say the sheeety thingas you and i both put on this comments site if you are a american if you are not than we have one less moron to put on our welfare system it plain to see hear you are not a educated person and seem to be bothered by that fact . anr isat good day to you moron.

[nojoy01]

Posted by RobRoydonxvl at 08:51 AM : Jul 21, 2008
Posted by RobRoydonxvl at 08:55 AM : Jul 21, 2008

My My. From the reaction I''d have to guess that the "your mommy" post was dead bang on. Of course, that "you americans" comment still brings up the possibility of your Imams cheering you on.

[observer2020]

Regardless of the obviously non-American posts. My thoughts and prayers go with the awesome crew of this B52. "All gave some, but these cremembers, gave all."

[xmanborg]

Wow just how old is the B-52 fleet of Bombers.

[nojoy01]

Wow just how old is the B-52 fleet of Bombers.

Posted by XmanBorg at 09:35 AM : Jul 21, 2008

According to the story, the first ones started flying in 1954. According to production records the last ones were built in 1962. Of course, the ones still in service have been rebuilt from the airftame out. Some of them several times.

[nojoy01]

Has the truth I have posted upset you bubba

Sorry bubba - I should really bear in mind that you americans are deeply allergic to the truth

Posted by RobRoydonxvl at 09:50 AM : Jul 21, 2008

ROFLMAO Truth? You are actually comparing the drivel you''re posting w/the Truth? And, I know of no allergies that "you americans" have in common. But apparently you like to stir the fecal matter just to watch the fun. Do you also enjoy pulling the wings off of flies? Or maybe sprinkling fiberglass powder into babies diapers. That seems to be about where you''re at, developmentally.

[republic1776]

Why does an Aircraft designed in 1954 costs 1.2 Billion dollars?

[republic1776]

nojoy01,
"you Americans" ?
Why does almost everybody want to move here?
It''s jacked up sometime, but there''s no other country that''s better.

[tootall10142]

WHAT COUNTRY ARE YOU IN ROBROY ? ENGLAND IM ASSUMING.THE COUNTRY WHO RAN FROM THE SAND.YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEBERED AS THE COUNTRY THAT FOLLOWED THE FRENCH HOME WHEN THE CA-CA- GOT TO DEEP FOR YOUR FEEBLE MINDS TO TAKE.

[tootall10142]

I DEFECATE MORE INTELLIGENT THAN YOU HAVE GATHERED IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE. HEY! ROB WHY ARENT YOU OUT THERE FIGHTING LIKE THE REST OF THE COWARDS YOUR COUNTRY PRODUCES? YOU ARE A GREAT ARM CHAIR REPUBLICAN,BUT CAN YOU KILL? IM ASSUMING YOUR MEDICATION WONT ALLOW YOU FAR FROM YOUR CARE GIVER.

[nojoy01]

nojoy01,
"you Americans" ?
Why does almost everybody want to move here?
It''''s jacked up sometime, but there''''s no other country that''''s better.
Posted by republic1776 at 10:09 AM : Jul 21, 2008

Hey republic1776, I think it''s probably to get away from people like RobRoydonxvl. What''cha think?

[nojoy01]

Why does an Aircraft designed in 1954 costs 1.2 Billion dollars?

Posted by republic1776 at 10:06 AM : Jul 21, 2008

My best guess republic1776 is that they''re talking like accountants. The cost of replacing the aircraft with another (different, since they don''t make B52s anymore) aircraft capable of performing the same mission. Like maybe a B2.

[talkingham]

Idiot, the B-2 cost over a $billion, not the B-52. Learn to read, still I wonder why any aircraft could cost that much unless it flies to the moon and back!

[magoo2u1]

"still I wonder why any aircraft could cost that much unless it flies to the moon and back! "

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! That''s still secret!!!!!!!!!!

[f4ccv]

Folks, it is not just the airframe itself that costs 1.2 Billion !! It is all the very special electronic equipment aboard. Then, one must add into the equation 54 years of inflation, and even just a little bit ... not very much now ... just a little Price-Gouging of taxpayers ... aka White-Collar Welfare !!

And, of course, do not forget the champaign contributions and other legal and illegal kick-backs and perks. Hell, 1.2 Billion is a bargain !!!

We do not even have a mission for the B-2 or the Osprey after over 20 years of flight testing, and look how much they cost ??

Also, do not forget the 20 Billion spent on the A-12 project that never even produced a flying prototype !!

But, rest assured, Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer ... we need more tax money to continue to fund these programs, the Moon project and manned Mars missions.

No, I am not un-American. In fact, I am very much a veteran FOR the USA. But we ain''t being treated right by our politicians.

[magoo2u1]

"Why does almost everybody want to move here?
It''''s jacked up sometime, but there''''s no other country that''''s better. "

Really? How would you know? Swallow the koolaid did we? I love America , however there are plenty of good places on Earth and beautiful ones too - I have been, literally, around the world. The people trying to get here are looking for a job most of the time. If you think that is a measurement for desirability remember - folks are trying to sneak into the following countries to get jobs:
Saudi Arabia
France
England
Spain
Morocco
Chad
South Africa
Vietnam
Canada (that armpit of flexibility, nice manners, free speech, equality,medical care,politeness)

Read a little bit, become informed.

[f4ccv]

Okay, I hadn''t read the article when I worte the previous entery, but yes, the B-2 is 1.2 Billion as one reader noted, not the B-52. Yet the current cost of any military aricraft seems exorbitent.

In 1962 or there-abouts, an F-4 Phantom II was .. what, 10 to 12 million out the door from McAir ... but that was just the airframe and then all the other systems were additional.

[newsjunky5]

Wow, a ''58 lowrider, with 8 engines.

[newsjunky5]

Hope the crew gets back OK. Those planes are too old.

[shazam111]

I believe the iranians shot down the B52 bomber...man those iranians ..american goverment is concealing the real reasons of the crash...

[masmas423]

Everyone that is being insensitive needs to shut up! I live in Bossier City and my brother is a navigator on the B-52. NO he is not diployed but everyone is like a family. When y''all are expressing your views in a hateful manner it is very disrespectful! Imagine if one of your family members was on the plan because I did. When you read a B-52 crashes it scares some people because is involves family. I tried calling my brother to get more info but it went to voicemail then I called his wife and all she said was what the news was reporting. So we(family members) come here to find out more information and when we read stupid comments some it is hurtful. Yes we know to ignore it but I wish some people could think before they submit. They are protecting your freedom appriciate it.

[ponco seno]

a B-2 plane $1.4 billion


ARE WE IDIOTS...........

[hbevis]

Bombers dont protect anything, they are offensive weapons. That is why we wont sell any to Israel.

Posted by nrgmizer at 01:32 PM : Jul 21, 2008

You are very wrong. You don''t seem to know anything about what our Military does to protect the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We have plane''s in the air 24/7 to protect this Country. If our we are attacked we have the means of retaliation in the air at all times.

[hbevis]

It''''s amazing and a credit to the crews that more of these dinosaurs are not falling out of the sky. America has needed a replacement for these heavy duty workhorses for a generation. We were lucky no nukes were aboard although one cannot be too sure with the Air Force these days. Maybe this will be a wake up call to get those planes replaced.

Posted by koko98 at 11:25 AM : Jul 21, 2008
************
Where did you read that there were not any Nukes on board?? More that likely there were not any on board as it was going to do a Fly Over.

[masmas423]

Bombers dont protect anything, they are offensive weapons. That is why we wont sell any to Israel.

Posted by nrgmizer

I was referring to our military as one...not just the bomber. We probably dont sell Istael any because we wont to keep the edge. How many other countries have long range bombers??? its called keeping the edge on them.

To everyone questioning the price of bombers....how much is a life worth??? because that is what y''all are doing. I would rather spend all that money on bombers than having to send more men.

[toolmangler-2009]

Hope the crew gets back OK. Those planes are too old.
Posted by newsjunky5 at 11:36 AM : Jul 21, 2008


Ok, the planes are old. but there is not one country on the face of this Earth that would not mess their pants if told that a flight of fully loaded B52s was coming to give payback. What will you replace them with? Where will the funding come from? We have retired the ''Fastest'' airplane in the world (SR-71) now you would have us retire the ''Baddest'' airplane in the world. They are old, but so am I, and you wouldn''t want to take me on either.

[nojoy01]

Yet the current cost of any military aricraft seems exorbitent.

In 1962 or there-abouts, an F-4 Phantom II was .. what, 10 to 12 million out the door from McAir ... but that was just the airframe and then all the other systems were additional.

Posted by F4CCV at 11:22 AM : Jul 21, 2008

Agreed. But in July of 1962 the Dow Jones Industrial Average was below $700. If we do a straight conversion that then your bottom figure of $10,000,000 means that airframe today would be about $150,000,000. Of course, going the other way, if the B2 could have been built in 1962 it would have cost around $80,000,000. Also, the median family income in 1962 was about $6,000 anually. That''s how a bomber gets to cost $1.2 Billion dollars.

[newsjunky5]

The SR-71 was retired because satellites do what it does, but better, and with constant (or nearly) coverage. I think they wind up being cheaper in the long run, too. Not to detract from it, it is my 2nd favorite plane(behind the F-86 Saber). I''ve seen one, if you look at it from the front, you almost don''t see it, it''s so sleek and stealthy. Fastest ever, the hottest hot rod of the air. And it''s titanium, too!

But the B-52, although unequaled in it''s bomb payload and versatility, has had equipment malfunctions because of it''s age. We lost one in the Indian Ocean during Desert Storm. Didn''t get shot down, something went wrong with it. But by how much use they get, I don''t know if the safety record is any worse than other planes, we just hear and notice these.

[nojoy01]

Bombers dont protect anything, they are offensive weapons. That is why we wont sell any to Israel.

Posted by nrgmizer at 01:32 PM : Jul 21, 2008

(sigh) All weapons can be offensive weapons. All weapons can be defensive weapons. This is true irregardless of the cost, size, lethality, or manner of delivery. The difference between offensive & defensive weapons is in the attitude & intentions of the weapon holder. For over 50 years those aircraft & their crews have been defending this country & our european dependents (excuse me, allies) by making sure that any nation that attacked this country or our allies would pay a price, perhaps the ultimate price, for their military aggression. Deterrence (which I realize may not be a popular word with some) worked. And every member of every aircrew & their support personnel (including wives & children) deserve our thanks & best wishes for their time, their devotion to duty, & their personal sacrifices.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by newsjunky5 at 02:09 PM : Jul 21, 2008


My nephew (Air Force Colonel) tells me that The B52 flight/safety record is among the best in the world of all planes (including Civilian Air lines) The more modern a device is, the more problems it can develope. (Give me a ''67 Chevelle 396,4spd as opposed to anything later than ''72 and I will make it last forever (weeelllll almost).

[toolmangler-2009]

Bombers dont protect anything, they are offensive weapons.
Posted by nrgmizer at 01:32 PM : Jul 21, 2008


The best ''defense'' is a good ''offense''.

[oldseal65]

I think all of you have missed the point. The ONLY reason any of us, U.S., can talk this way is because some many bled so much for us. They deserve our respect. Not our disdain. They need our support and encouragement. If you can''t give them respect and encouragement for defending you right to run your mouth about thing you have never experienced, may I respectfully request that just don''t say anything at all.
These "kids" are our sons and daughters, or have you forgotten that.

[oldseal65]

I think all of you have missed the point. The ONLY reason any of us, U.S., can talk this way is because some many bled so much for us. They deserve our respect. Not our disdain. They need our support and encouragement. If you can''t give them respect and encouragement for defending you right to run your mouth about thing you have never experienced, may I respectfully request that just don''t say anything at all.
These "kids" are our sons and daughters, or have you forgotten that.

[toolmangler-2009]

These "kids" are our sons and daughters, or have you forgotten that.
Posted by oldseal65 at 04:22 PM : Jul 21, 2008



Well said,

[azmka]

Godspeed to the other four crewmen. Hope they are found alive. My sincerest condolences to the families who are suffering from this tragedy!

[ov442]

All our Military members are putting their lives on the line everyday in ANY job or position, but most risky are those operating large machines, vehicles or in combat zones. All of them deserve to be appreciated and recognized for their sacrifice.

All of them deserve the best medical treatment, both physically and emotionally as money can buy.
All of them deserve more pay for the sacrifice they give, and/or more benefits.

And appreciating the Military and welcoming them as heroes is NOT a republican or Right-wing nutball Trait.
Its an AMERICAN Trait.
And as for political views on IRaq or the continued evidence of a lack of respect for the soldiers by those who have been in Power for the past 8 yrs, until the congress changed hands in 2006, and finally pushed the MRAPS and Cleaned up the Facilities at the VA, and increased their benefits, You need to back the F off if you think supporting Iraq''s Presence or Being happy as a pig in slop that we went in there is being American or patriotic because its NOT.

[oldseal65]

I think all of you have missed the point. The ONLY reason any of us, U.S., can talk this way is because some many bled so much for us. They deserve our respect. Not our disdain. They need our support and encouragement. If you can''t give them respect and encouragement for defending you right to run your mouth about thing you have never experienced, may I respectfully request that just don''t say anything at all.
These "kids" are our sons and daughters, or have you forgotten that.

[squidly8]

The BUFF as the crew call it - Big, Ugly, Fat F*cker

Typically military aircraft costs include the entire cost of the aircraft in its predicted service life - cost of the airframe and everything in it, cost of fuel it will burn, cost of maintenance, cost of personnel to fly it. It isn''t just the cost of the airframe. In the case of the B-52 it was only costed to serve a 25-30 year life so while the up front costs 50 years ago were high, we are reaping the rewards of a magnificent design now.

[eddom949]

Yeah, 787 too

[hbevis]

Hope the crew gets back OK. Those planes are too old.
Posted by newsjunky5 at 11:36 AM : Jul 21, 2008


Ok, the planes are old. but there is not one country on the face of this Earth that would not mess their pants if told that a flight of fully loaded B52s was coming to give payback. What will you replace them with? Where will the funding come from? We have retired the ''''Fastest'''' airplane in the world (SR-71) now you would have us retire the ''''Baddest'''' airplane in the world. They are old, but so am I, and you wouldn''''t want to take me on either.

Posted by ToolMangler at 01:47 PM : Jul 21, 2008

***********************
I like this. I am old also and I can guarantee that you don''t want to mess with me..

I read a list of 10 things a few days ago.

Number one was: Don''t mess with an old man, he will just kill you.

[toolmangler-2009]

I feel safer riding in ''Buff'' than I do a 747 of similar vintage. All things considered if todays cars and trucks were maintained like an Airplane, mechanical malfunction accidents would be nearly non-existant.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by hbevis at 05:19 PM : Jul 21, 2008


Tnx. 73s

[hbevis]

Posted by hbevis at 05:19 PM : Jul 21, 2008


Tnx. 73s

Posted by ToolMangler at 05:22 PM : Jul 21, 2008

74....:)