From the Usual USAF Source:
Barksdale Air Force Base members and Russian Federation air force personnel pose for a group photo as a Tu-95 “Bear” bomber prepares to land on Engels Air Base, Russia, July 25. Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, and a team of experts visited the Russian base to determine the suitability of the airfield for B-52H Stratofortress operations. (Courtesy photo)
US, Russia Create Bomber Exchange Program: A delegation from Barksdale AFB, La., visited Engels Air Base in Saratov, Russia, establishing the foundation for a US-Russia long-range aviation bomber exchange program, announced Air Force Global Strike Command officials. “We’re going to fly B-52s to Russia and they’re going to fly Tu-95 Bears to Barksdale,” said 2nd Bomb Wing Commander Col. Andrew Gebara, who led the Barksdale group, in an Aug. 8 release. He added, “It’s a tremendous opportunity for our two nations to learn from each other to improve aviation technology and skills in our respective air forces.” During the July visit, the seven-member US delegation evaluated Engels airfield to see if it was suitable for B-52H operations. “One of the big takeaways from our trip is that while we fly different aircraft and are from opposite ends of the globe, our objective is the same,” said Lt. Col. Michael Thompson, 2nd BW director of staff, who was with the delegation. “We all want to have a safe and credible deterrent force.” (Barksdale report by A1C Samuel O’Brien)
Oh, my aching ASS. First it was the rumor that the Rooshians were gonna fly at Red Flag, now this… which is no rumor at all. It also looks like those (former) commies are gettin’ the better end o’ the deal, too, what with goin’ to Barksdale. Our guys, OTOH, are gonna be stuck out in the middle o’ freakin’ NOwhere.
See?
Cross-posted at EIP.
So let me get this straight.
In between their Bears coming to Alaska to test our air defenses we are going to have an exchange program?
Yeah. I suppose they’re gonna test N’Awlins’ ADIZ, too.
“It also looks like those (former) commies are gettin’ the better end o’ the deal, too, what with goin’ to Barksdale.”
MSgt, I suspect you have never been to Bossier City. I am pretty sure going there is almost never the better part of any deal…
RAS
I’ve been through Bossier, never stopped other than to grab a bite and fuel. That said, I’ve also spent two months in Moscow on bid’niz and I strongly suspect Moscow is a whole helluva lot better (read as: more comfortable, better “cultural” options) than Saratov. Given my druthers I’d take Bossier City over ANY Russian alternative. Hell, I’d even take Minot.
Should’ve visited Russia when you had the chance to choose where
We should have sent them to Thule Greenland. Which reminds me of the – story of the C-141 pilot at Greenland – behind schedule – en route to Rhein-Main.
It is -40, a young airman is attending to the, ugh, sewage disposal on the plane and the pilot is urging him to hurry up, or he will report him.
“ Sir! the Airman replies, “ I’m outside in freezing weather, handling !@#$%^, just what else can they do to me?
Sometimes a stay in the restriction barracks is an improvement!
I am amazed. The Fleets are still at arm’s length at sea, as it was when I made my first Ocean Safari to the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and The Western Approaches. Ivan is always touchy about the Good Guys playing in his back yard.
Something is rotten………………….
I’ve never been to Russia, but I’ve spent a good bit of time in Bossier City…roughly 49 of my 53 years.
Richard writes, “MSgt, I suspect you have never been to Bossier City. I am pretty sure going there is almost never the better part of any deal…”
You’re right, Richard. Please don’t come visit us..
To the point of the post…WTF?
I’ve been to Minot! Does that count for anything? ;D
It might could count fer frostbite, depending on when ya went.
Gee – the Rooskies make the Air Force look fit
(I would look very Russian)
A 12-year sentence, er, period, on the frozen plains of North Dakota, “America’s Siberia.” Bring warm clothes. And vodka. Lots of vodka.
Saratov is a major regional city of about 900K. Something akin to going to, say, Raleigh, NC, or Nashville, TN. From what I understand, there’s plenty to do, unless your some sort of hooligan. Then your reception is not likely to be warm.