B-52s Fly Seach and Rescue Mission after Hurricane Ike Published Sept. 20, 2008 By Capt. Newman Robertson 917th Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AFB, La. -- Two B-52 missions were flown this past week in an effort to gather both high resolution digital imagery and full motion video of the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Ike. The bombers were manned by personnel assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron and 93rd Bomb Squadron. This is the first specialized use of the B-52 in a strictly humanitarian role as a Search and Rescue platform using advanced forward looking infrared and visible light video recording equipment. Both missions took more than 700 images of oil platforms, oil tankers and the shoreline infrastructures along the coast between Galveston and Houston, Texas. In addition, over two hours of full motion video was obtained of the destruction, current flood area, and routes suitable for emergency recovery crews to get in and out of the affected area. Barksdale B-52s and aircrew from both the 917th Wing and 2d Bomb Wing have been on intermittent alert for a potential search and rescue application since Hurricane Gustav. These two flights were considered a test of the concept of operation for future use of the B-52 in a more expanded role in assisting with rescue efforts on land and at sea.