Historical Events tagged with "b-52"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Military & Warfare

B-52 Bomber Crash Near Thule Air Base

January 21st, 1968 57 years ago

A B-52 bomber crashed near Thule Air Base, Greenland, leading to significant contamination following the rupture of its nuclear payload. Rescue operations revealed that three of the bombs were recovered, but one bomb remains unaccounted for post-cleanup, raising concerns over environmental safety and security measures in Cold War contexts. The incident highlighted the risks associated with nuclear weapon transport and the potential environmental impacts of military operations in remote areas.

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Military & Warfare

Discovery of a Missing Hydrogen Bomb

March 17th, 1966 58 years ago

The DSV Alvin submarine located a missing American hydrogen bomb in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 2.5 miles deep. The bomb had been lost during a mid-air collision involving a B-52 bomber and a refueling plane, known as the Palomares incident. The accident occurred in January, and after extensive search efforts, the submarine's discovery provided a significant development in the ongoing mission to recover any critical military materials. The recovery of the bomb assured military officials and the public about national security interests.

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Military & Warfare

USAF B-52 Bomber Crash Near Yuba City

March 14th, 1961 64 years ago

A B-52 bomber of the United States Air Force crashed near Yuba City, California, while carrying nuclear weapons. The aircraft, part of a training mission, encountered a mechanical failure leading to its crash. Fortunately, the nuclear payload was located at a safe distance from the crash site, and no immediate nuclear incident occurred, despite the dangerous circumstances of the crash and the potential risks it presented.

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Military & Warfare

B-52 Bomber Breaks Up Over North Carolina

January 24th, 1961 64 years ago

A B-52 Stratofortress carrying two hydrogen bombs experienced a catastrophic mid-air breakup over Goldsboro, North Carolina. The crash resulted in the loss of one bomb's uranium core, which remains unrecovered. The military had been conducting a flight training operation when the incident occurred, raising serious concerns about nuclear safety and protocols. This event highlighted the risks associated with airborne nuclear weapons and the potential consequences of their accidents.

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Military & Warfare

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Takes Flight

April 15th, 1952 72 years ago

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress made its first flight, showcasing its capabilities as a long-range strategic bomber. With a crew of seven, the aircraft was designed for high-altitude and high-speed flight, which was revolutionary at the time. The flight took place at the Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, marking a significant milestone in military aviation. The B-52 was developed to replace the aging fleet of bombers and was instrumental in the United States' strategic deterrent force.

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