Tony R. Landis
June 29, 2025, marks the 70th anniversary of the first operational Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-52 Stratofortress delivery to the 93rd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Castle Air Force Base, Calif. The aircraft, RB-52B (52-8711), departed the Boeing Moses Lake testing facility at Larson AFB, Wash., and performed a seven-hour training mission prior to the delivery to Castle AFB.
From that first SAC delivery in 1955, to the final H-model delivery in October 1962, only seven years had elapsed. In total, Boeing produced 744 B-52’s before production ceased (total includes the two prototypes). The Stratofortress has seen use in every major air campaign since it became operational. Continuous upgrades have kept the aircraft on America’s front line bomber force for 70 years, and there’s no sign of stopping.
Full story: B-52 Stratofortress – First Operational Delivery
RB-52B, Tail number 52-8711,departs Boeing’s Moses Lake facility at Larson Air Force Base, Wash., beginning the seven-hour training mission prior to delivery of the first operational Stratofortress to the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle AFB, Calif. (Boeing Historical Archives) 
Crew members of the first B-52 delivery: Col. W. R. Smith, Commander, 4017th CCTS; Brig. Gen. W. E. Eubank, 93rd Bomb Wing Commander; Maj. P. N. Howard, IP, 4017th CCTS; Capt. M. M. Watkins, pilot, 4017th CCTS; Maj. A. T. Brent, Observer, 4017th CCTS; Capt. E. A. Schickling, Observer, 4017th CCTS; T/Sgt J. G. Rounds, ECM Operator, 4017th CCTS and Technical Sgt. J. F. Thompson, Gunner, 4017th CCTS. (Air Force Historical Research Agency archives)