First flown in 1952, entered service in 1955 and expected to fly until 2040, the B-52 is probably the best bargin the taxpayer ever got. A legacy from the Cold War days, the minimum interval takeoff (MITO) was to ensure "alert" aircraft (they carried city busting (big) nuclear weapons) could takeoff before the enemy launched "nukes" got to the target, ensuring the threat would be answered. It's one of the most dangerous flight activities as aircraft number two and on must takeoff directly into the turbulence of the precedeing aircraft (note the wing wobble). Also if a preceding aircraft failed the following flew right into it. Often, KC-135 tankers were mixed in withnthe bombers.
Imagine if your commercial flight started taking off while the preceding was still moving on the runway.
It's one hell of thing to watch live, everyone should have the chance, no parade like it.
By the way, it's possible these aircrew's fathers flew these same B-52s and their grand children may also.
http://www.fark.com/cgi/vidplayer.pl?IDLink=4632948
