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How to Keep the B-52 Flying

MARCH 19, 2025 – As B-52 bombers touched down at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, for Bomber Task Force 25-2, the mission was just beginning, not just for the pilots and aircrews, but for the Fabrication Flight Airmen who keep them flying.

While the roar of the B-52 fills the sky, its ability to fly at all depends on the unseen work of Airmen on the ground. The Fabrication Flight of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron (EBS), is responsible for structural maintenance, repairing damage, reinforcing weak points, and ensuring these aging aircraft remain combat ready. Whether it’s fixing a minor crack or fabricating entirely new parts, their work ensures that each mission can launch without delay.

Long ago, blacksmiths forged the tools of war, bending metal to their will. Today, the Airmen of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron Fabrication Flight carry the torch of tradition by executing strength in the skies.

“The purpose of Bomber Task Force (BTF) 25-2, is to show our capabilities as the global strike command, and to assure our allies while deterring our adversaries,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tyler Hassell, 69th EBS aircraft structural maintenance craftsman.

BTF missions are more than just routine training. They’re a show of strength. With each flight, the B-52s reinforce the U.S. commitment to NATO’s collective defense, working alongside Allied forces to ensure regional security. These operations test readiness, build resilience, and demonstrate that no matter where the mission takes them, U.S. bombers are ready to respond.

“Every B-52 needs to be mission ready– we can’t afford downtime,” said U.S. Air Force Airman Carson Bethany, 69 EBS fabrication flight aircraft structural maintenance journeyman. “If they’re not flying, they’re not protecting us and If we can’t protect, we’re not doing our job right.”

After every mission, crew chiefs meticulously inspect the B-52H Stratofortress, scanning for punctures, cracks or structural damage. If they find an issue, they call in the Aircraft Structural Maintenance team. Who will either replace the damaged components or craft new ones from scratch using precision tools and blueprints.

“My favorite part of working in sheet metal is my ability to create whatever repair materials I need to do my job,” said Bethany. “There’s so many things you can do with a flat sheet of metal that I didn’t realize that you could do before I joined.”

Routine maintenance is key to preventing major repairs and extending the B-52’s lifespan. When operating away from home station, maintainers must be adaptable problem solvers, ready to tackle unexpected damage in unpredictable conditions. No two missions are the same, and neither are the challenges these aircraft return with.

“In a perfect world, nothing would break, and we wouldn’t have to step in,” said Bethany. “But reality is different. Every flight brings wear and tear, and when things go wrong, it’s our job to make them right. That’s what keeps these bombers in the fight.”

The B-52 is an aircraft designed to last, but longevity doesn’t happen by accident. Every scratch, dent, and crack tells a story of miles flown, missions executed, and the wear of time.

For the Airmen of Fabrication Flight, their job is to ensure those stories do not end in the maintenance bay. Through skill, adaptability, and dedication, they give these warbirds new life, ensuring that when the mission calls, the B-52 is always ready to answer.

Story by Airman 1st Class Trust Tate
Minot Air Force Base

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Filed Under: Air Force, News

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AUGUST 18, 2025 – Marine Corps Sgt. Robert Emmett O’Malley embodied the Marine ethos of honor, courage and commitment. During heavy fighting in the Vietnam War in 1965, he was more concerned about saving the lives of those around him than his own. His actions led him to become the service’s first Vietnam War Medal […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

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Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

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AUGUST 11, 2025 – Tribal lending is a type of loan offered by lenders that are owned and operated by Native American tribes. These lenders work under tribal law, not state law, which gives them more freedom in how they run their business.  According to a 2024 report released by the U.S. Department of Treasury, […]

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