It’s not often that this happens: a B-52 makes a last-minute go-around because a U-2 hasn’t left the runway yet.
On Monday, May 20, 2024, two U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress Bombers from the 5th Bomb Wing from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, arrive at RAF Fairford, England, for a routine bomber task force deployment.
In addition to the first two strategic bombers, two more B-52s arrived on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the total number of Stratofortress bombers assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron of Bomber Task Force Europe 24-3 to four.
As usuallyU.S. Air Force personnel and aircraft of the BTF will work with NATO allies and other international partners to synchronize capabilities and enhance security commitments within the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. We may see B-52s flying to Eastern Europe, Arctic Regionthe Baltic States, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, as was done more or less regularly in previous deployments.
In fact, these BTFs are a way for the United States to regularly demonstrate its dedication to NATO allies and partners through deterrence missions, which are often combined with allied assets.
BTF 24-3 is also incorporated into Large Scale Global Exercise 2024, an integrated program linking military operations across combatant commands. LSGE24 allows U.S. joint forces to train with allies and partners to develop a common understanding, trust, and interoperability in addressing global security challenges.
Interestingly, an unusual event occurred on May 20, when the first B-52H (aircraft number 61-0018), flying as GROAT 11, prepared to land at RAF Fairford: the Stratofortress bomber was configured to land behind a U-2 that had just landed and was still on the runway.
The B-52 landed a few minutes after the go-around. This scene was captured by our friend and contributor @Saint1Mil You can find out in the video below.
Getting around
While you rarely see a B-52 perform a go-around, it is a standard safety procedure that pilots perform regularly during training. Go-arounds keep the crew (and passengers) safe by ensuring the aircraft can safely abort a landing if conditions are less than ideal.
A go-around may be conducted for a number of reasons (some of which may occur simultaneously):
- Unstable method: The aircraft is not in the correct position or configuration for a safe landing. In this case, it is best to perform a go-around
- Runway Obstacles: There are other aircraft, vehicles or objects on the runway.
- Traffic disruption: Another aircraft was detected in the vicinity of the airport or glide path, making the approach potentially unsafe and an airborne hazard.
- weather: Sudden changes in weather, such as wind shear, wing gusts, or poor visibility.
- technical problem: Any mechanical or technical problems that could affect landing safety.
- Pilot’s decision: The pilot may deem a landing unsafe or inadvisable for any number of reasons, including those listed above.
The author has had the opportunity to perform go-arounds in a variety of aircraft types: as a pilot training trainee in a Cessna C-150/152/172; as a passenger in a civilian aircraft (a gust of wind forced a go-around seconds before landing at Charlotte Douglas International Airport); as a backseat passenger in various military aircraft (including TF-104 and TAV-8B+ Harrier).
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the founder and editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s best-known and most-read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major global magazines, including Air Force Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime, and cyber warfare. He has reported from the United States, Europe, Australia, and Syria, and has flown several fighter jets in different air forces. He is a former Italian Air Force Second Lieutenant, private pilot, and Computer Engineering graduate. He has written five books and contributed to many more.
