AlphaMikeFoxtrot Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Rest in peace my brothers! You will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butters Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 How the 50+ year old KC-135 have a FDR/CVR but the Buff doesn't? Seems kind of odd? The Buff does not have one because of the primary mission it used to have. No longer the case, so I am not sure why it has not been fitted like the 135. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Boom Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 The Buff does not have one because of the primary mission it used to have. No longer the case, so I am not sure why it has not been fitted like the 135. Different spending priorities that ACC has compared to AMC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butters Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Different spending priorities that ACC has compared to AMC? That is sad. However, it would not make any difference in this case. I have been SUBA diving around that entire island and the water is deep 2-7 miles. The last time anyone went that deep to recover a CVR/FDR was the Helderberg, 747 Combi, in the Indian Ocean. They only found the CVR and it was in bad shape. They never could determine the cause of the fire (why is was so intense) onboard. Hope they find someone alive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaf36031 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Maybe the designers of the BUFF didn't want a recorded cockpit conversation going down into the Soviet Union. Just a thought. They should install one now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloDude Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Maybe the designers of the BUFF didn't want a recorded cockpit conversation going down into the Soviet Union. Just a thought. They should install one now. Reference Nole's post... The Buff does not have one because of the primary mission it used to have. No longer the case, so I am not sure why it has not been fitted like the 135. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaf36031 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Reference Nole's post... ahh...must've skimmed right over it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Container STS Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Blue skies and tailwinds Fireball... KUAM News Wednesday, May 02, 2007 Andersen Air Force Base is comprised of many rotational forces, one of which has just recently arrived on island. USAF Major Chris Cooper is a pilot in the 96th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron from Barksdale AFB in Lousiana. They're on Guam on a rotational basis as part of Andersen's continuous bomber presence, with the type of bomber Cooper flies being the classic, indispensable B-52. This historic piece of U.S. military history is an old model that Cooper says is extremely well designed. It has to be - the plane itself weighs about 200,000 pounds when it's empty and 488,000 thousand pounds at full capacity. "This is a combat aircraft obviously and we use it in combat as a heavy bomber it's been to Iraq, it's been to Afganistan, it's been everywhere," Cooper explained. To get this heavy bomber off the ground it relies on its 185-foot wingspan that is capable of flexing up to 16 feet at the wingtip. "It's a wetwing," Cooper explained, saying that such devices store a lot of fuel in the wing. These wings have fuel bladders that enable the bomber to carry up to 100,000 pounds of fuel. The plane needs this fuel to power these gas guzzling engines. Said Cooper, "We have...a grand total of 134,000 pounds of thrust, so this plane can really move." The bomber of course is equipped with bombs one of the more common of these bombs is the joint directed attack munition (JDAM). It's a 2,000-pound, GPS-guided bomb. But don't let the naming of the aircraft fool you - it's also capable of carrying missiles. "Right now, we're the only airplane that can carry the conventional air launch cruise missile," he continued. Cooper says firepower aside, the B-52s make for a safe, stable airplane that is well designed to deal with emergency procedures. In fact, with eight engines Cooper says this plane is capable of flying if one goes down. Aside from being able to fly such an important and powerful hunk of metal, Cooper says he's thrilled to be on Guam and happy about all the support he's received from the community. WNYF News Tuesday, July 22, 2008 The Massena community is mourning one of its own - a decorated Afghanistan and Iraq veteran killed when the B-52 bomber he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Guam on Monday. Air Force Major Christopher Cooper graduated from Massena Central School in 1992. Cooper’s body and that of another crew member were recovered Monday while the search goes on for four other members of the crew. The unarmed bomber had been headed for a flyover in a parade celebrating the liberation of Guam from Japan. Cooper was the son of longtime Alcoa spokesman Mike Cooper, who spent 16 years at Alcoa’s Massena operations. “He was doing what he wanted to do in life and he was proud of it and we were proud of him,” said Mike Cooper. Cooper, an 11 year veteran of the Air Force, would have celebrated his 34th birthday on August 10. Retired Massena High School English teacher Lee Baines remembers Christopher Cooper not only as a family-oriented student, but also as playing an active role in the school’s drama club and musical theater programs. “When I think about Chris, I think about family, his late mother, his brother Tim and his father Mike. Chris had many talents. He always knew he was going to be a pilot and he always knew he was going to go into the military,” said Baines. A memorial service for Major Cooper and other members of the bomber crew is being planned at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana but arrangements are incomplete. Meanwhile, Cooper’s brother, Tim, is encouraging people to send memories, pictures and stories involving Chris to this email address: rememberingchris@gmail.com “I would simply ask folks to be respectful as it is for our family to view. Eventually we will try to setup a website with pics and stories and such for everyone to view,” Chris wrote in an email. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Brogan Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I've flew with Fireball on many occasions back when he and I were in the same squadron. He was a really good guy who was always smiling and joking around. He'll be missed. Godspeed Fireball... http://www.wwnytv.net/index.php/2008/07/22...rash-near-guam/ We were briefed that the name of the other airman recovered has also been released, but I can't find a link from an internet news source, so I'll refrain from posting his name here until I'm sure it's been officially released to the general public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butters Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Him Him. Does anyone know what UPT Class he was in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomber1 Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 RIP Brothers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B*D*A Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Godspeed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chaffman Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 WNYF News Tuesday, July 22, 2008 The Massena community is mourning one of its own - a decorated Afghanistan and Iraq veteran killed when the B-52 bomber he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Guam on Monday. Air Force Major Christopher Cooper graduated from Massena Central School in 1992. Cooper’s body and that of another crew member were recovered Monday while the search goes on for four other members of the crew. The unarmed bomber had been headed for a flyover in a parade celebrating the liberation of Guam from Japan. Cooper was the son of longtime Alcoa spokesman Mike Cooper, who spent 16 years at Alcoa’s Massena operations. “He was doing what he wanted to do in life and he was proud of it and we were proud of him,” said Mike Cooper. Cooper, an 11 year veteran of the Air Force, would have celebrated his 34th birthday on August 10. Retired Massena High School English teacher Lee Baines remembers Christopher Cooper not only as a family-oriented student, but also as playing an active role in the school’s drama club and musical theater programs. “When I think about Chris, I think about family, his late mother, his brother Tim and his father Mike. Chris had many talents. He always knew he was going to be a pilot and he always knew he was going to go into the military,” said Baines. A memorial service for Major Cooper and other members of the bomber crew is being planned at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana but arrangements are incomplete. Meanwhile, Cooper’s brother, Tim, is encouraging people to send memories, pictures and stories involving Chris to this email address: rememberingchris@gmail.com “I would simply ask folks to be respectful as it is for our family to view. Eventually we will try to setup a website with pics and stories and such for everyone to view,” Chris wrote in an email. I went to school with Chris at the University of Texas, he was a year behind me in ROTC. That would have put him in a college grad year of '96. Great dude, very soft spoken, we hung out a bunch. Never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He'll be missed Rest in peace Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Brogan Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Another article for those who are following this: http://www.kuam.com/news/29097.aspx The Bay City Times out of Michigan has identified one of the crew members aboard a B-52H Stratofortress who is reportedly still among the crew members who are missing. Robert D. Gerren, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana was identified by his mother, Linda Gerren who told the Bay City Times that she had been contacted by Air Force officials that search and rescue efforts continue for her son and four other crew members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooter Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Been following this since it was first released and all I can say or think is to to them. Cheers brothers your service will be remembered. Cooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlphaMikeFoxtrot Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Fireball and Gerren are both great dudes. I have flown with both and they loved their job. As stated earlier Fireball never said an ill word towards anyone. It pains me to know that he is no longer with us but I am sure he is in a much better place. Gerren was an FNG in my squadron and was well on his way to making a great name for himself. He was quiet but attentive and always willing to helpout. I never once heard him complain about any of the "new guy" duties that are expected of them. He was extremely knowledgeable about his job and never content with knowing enough, he always wanted to know more. I pray that he is safe and will be found soon along with my other bros. Godspeed my brothers and may you all find peace soon! I also ask all of you to please pray for the crewdogs there on Guam. It is tough for reality to set in back here at KBAD, but it is all to real for those out there now. There is still a mission at hand that must be executed to perfection, I know the Buccaneers are strong and capable I just pray that you all find peace with life. I wish I were there with you, it is tough being seperated from your family in such a trying time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clayton Bigsby Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 For those in the know - are there any reservists included, or was it an all-AD crew? to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACCBoomer Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Godspeed to the crew. To all the -52 guys at PGUM and KBAD, you are in our prayers. Keep you chins up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Intact Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) Can someone please tell me if a crew member w/ the initials SS was on board? He would be from Colorado. I went to OTS w/ him and I know he's overseas right now. To all that didn't make it...a sincere thank you for keeping this nation safe. Freedom most certainly is not free. Edited July 23, 2008 by Intact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PirateAF Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Same question as above but initials were MD from the Boston area?? Thanks...and condolences to the families and friends of the crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindsight2020 Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 For those in the know - are there any reservists included, or was it an all-AD crew? to all. This was an all-AD crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B52gator Posted July 23, 2008 Author Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) Rescue ops have been suspened, they have now switched to a recovery operation. Godspeed brothers. http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.d...ONTPAGECAROUSEL Edited July 23, 2008 by b52gator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlphaMikeFoxtrot Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Godspeed Raider 21! May we meet again someday and share one more round. Them, them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flare Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Are Buffs gounded right now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B52gator Posted July 23, 2008 Author Share Posted July 23, 2008 Are Buffs gounded right now? Not sure about Andersen or KBAD, but guys are flying here at Minot and we've got some jets deployed for Red Flag that are flying as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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