343rd Bomb Squadron Reserve aircrew is now “CONECT”ed

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Dachelle Melville
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA --  Airmen from the 343rd Bomb Squadron became the first reserve aircrew to be qualified on the new combat network communications technology (CONECT) modification on the B-52H Stratofortress on July 28, 2015 on Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The aircrew, with the call sign "Chaos 43," is part of a Total Force Enterprise with the 96th Bomb Squadron, which combines active duty and reservists working together to complete their mission.

"As reservists, the 343rd BS having CONECT qualified crews means the squadron is capable and ready to augment the active duty for any taskings that may occur," said Capt. Ryan King, one of the "Chaos 43" aircrew members assigned to the 343rd Bomb Squadron.

The CONECT modification upgrades and enhances the bomber's technology to include real-time communications uplinks, computer network servers, and color digital display screens.

"The added capability and situational awareness that CONECT brings to the B-52 boosts our lethality while enhancing safety for the aircrew and ground forces alike," said Maj. Doug Orms, a "Chaos 43" crew member assigned to the 343rd BS. "With CONECT we can process targets more quickly and with greater accuracy than with the legacy (previous) system."

The B-52 bomber's lifespan is projected to extend beyond 2040. The digital upgrades within the CONECT system bring the aircraft into the digital age.

"The beyond line of sight digital communication capability will keep us up to date with enemy and friendly situations as well as any changes to our assigned tasking," explained Orms.

The beyond line of sight communications upgrades will allow for updated threat and targeting data to be passed along to the aircraft to allow for retargeting, instead of the crew and mission relying on information that was given before take-off.