“IDOL” Gulf mission

For the third time this year, U.S. Air Force B-52H “Stratofortress” aircrews assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., successfully completed a presence patrol in the Middle East today.

This long-range, short-duration defensive mission was intended to demonstrate the U.S. military’s ability to deploy airpower anywhere in the world to deter potential aggression and showcase the U.S. commitment to regional security.

The aircraft, two Boeing B-52H (reg. 60-0008 & 60-0002 – callsign IDOL11/??) left Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, yesterday at 15:37 CET.

This night the couple of Stratofortress were over Sicily around 03:00 CET

During the mission, the bomber aircrews integrated with air operations centers and other AFCENT assets such as F-15E “Strike Eagles,” F-16 “Fighting Falcons,” KC-10 “Extenders” and KC-135 “Stratotankers.”

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, LA, flew with Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force F-15SAs during a bomber task force mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 27, 2021. The bomber deployment underscores the U.S. Military's commitment to regional security and demonstrates a unique ability to rapidly deploy on short notice. The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds of altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and provides the United States with a global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Roslyn Ward)

Then after a flight over the Arabic/Persian Gulf the couple of B-52H followed the same route to return home.

#USAF #B52H 60-0002 returning from #Persian Gulf with two unidentified aircraft call sign #WOLF01 & #IDOL11 #Iran @maleshov @ItaMilRadar pic.twitter.com/XnpaDe3IHL
— le bloa laurent (@Laurent_Le_Bloa) January 27, 2021