Sheppard receives historic B-52H for training

Staff Sgt. Robert Ragland, right, and Senior Airman Alexis Williams of the 82nd Security Forces Squadron set up a perimeter Sept. 9 around a B-52H Stratofortress after it landed to become a new ground instructional trainer for the 82nd Training Wing. The B-52H, was part of the first strike force to respond to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The aircraft has nose art in memory of the event and those who lost their lives. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Ingle)

Sheppard receives historic B-52H for training

Wayne Bradbury, a machinist with L3 Communications at Sheppard Air Force Base, secures a hatch Sept. 9 on a B-52H Stratofortress after it landed to become a new ground instructional trainer for the 82nd Training Wing. The B-52H, was part of the first strike force to respond to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The aircraft has nose art in memory of the event and those who lost their lives. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Ingle)

Sheppard receives historic B-52H for training

Employees of L3 Communications at Sheppard Air Force Base work to secure a B-52H Stratofortress Sept. 9 after it landed to become a new ground instructional trainer for the 82nd Training Wing. The B-52H, was part of the first strike force to respond to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The aircraft has nose art in memory of the event and those who lost their lives. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Ingle)

Sheppard receives historic B-52H for training

Airman 1st Class Nicholas Carmen, front, and Staff Sgt. Robert Ragland of the 82nd Security Forces Squadron work on setting up a perimeter Sept. 9 around a B-52H Stratofortress. The aircraft landed at Sheppard Air Force Base to become part of the 82nd Training Wing's fleet of ground instructional training aircraft. This specific B-52H Stratofortres was part of the first strike force to respond to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Ingle)

Historical B-52 transitions from operational to trainer

Published Nov. 16, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The historical B-52H Stratofortress will make the transition from operational aircraft to trainer Nov. 17 at the old SAC ramp when its vertical fin is removed.

This aircraft came to Sheppard Sept. 9 to be a ground instructional trainer for the 82nd Training Wing after a playing a key role to one of the country's most significant events, Sept. 11, 2001.

It was written in a previous Sheppard AFB article that this B-52H was part of the first task force to Afghanistan after Sept. 11, and it has nose art in memory of the event and those who lost their lives.

"It's an honor to be on a team that is a part of something so historical," said B.J. Jorda, a program manager for the 982nd Training Group.

Mr. Jorda said, the fin has to be removed to be in compliance with the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II.

"We're removing the fin to be in compliance with the SALT Treaty II," Mr. Jorda said. "For the schoolhouse to use it as a trainer, the fin or the wings have to come off. The vertical fin is what's more efficient in this case."

This will be the fourth B-52H to make its transition at Sheppard in the life of the contract here. The last fin removal was completed about a year ago, Mr. Jorda said.